| At the base of a Chukonhi (Monument to the Loyal Souls of the First Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese War) African-American Marines of the Twelfth Ammunition Company (attached to the landing beaches of the First and Sixth Marine Divisions) rest between unloading supplies. They are Private First Class Floyd O. Snowdon, Sr. and United States Navy Pharmacist‘s Mate Second Class James R. Martin on the steps; on the monument itself, left to right, are Privates John T. Walton, and Robison T. Ellingburg, Private First Class Clyde Brown and Private Robert Brawner. This Chukonhi was sponsored by Imperial Japanese Army General Suzuki, possibly Major General Shigeki Suzuki of the 4Fourth Independent Mixed Brigade. They were erected all over Japan to honor the war dead of 1895-1905. The Twelfth Ammunition Company landed on April 1, 1945 and was on Okinawa when the island was declared secure on June 22. Over 2,000 African Americans served on Okinawa. Several were killed in combat operations. After the Okinawa campaign the Twelfth Ammunition Company was sent to support the occupation of China. After the war, the Japanese and the Americans destroyed many Chukonhi as they were examples of State-supported Shintoism. Many were simply buried or ignored, and their public upkeep is a source of controversy in Japan to this day. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1334.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.68 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 2300 x 2827 |
| Photographer | Sarno, Art |
| Photographer Title | Corporal, United States Marine Corps |
| Caption Author | Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 12, 1945 |
| Location | Suzuki Chukonhi |
| City | |
| State or Province | Okinawa |
| Country | Japan |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2007, ©2024 MFA Productions LLC Image in the Public Domain |
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