Corpus Christi – A flag donated to the USS Lexington Museum in 1994 was recently identified as belonging to a Japanese soldier named Shigeyoshi Mutsuda, killed in action during World War II. Known as Yosegaki Hinomaru, or Good Luck Flags, these types of flags were signed by family and friends of Japanese service members prior to leaving home for war. For Japanese families, the Good Luck Flags are often all that remains of their loved ones killed in action, and the return of the flag is seen as the return of their family member’s remains.

USS Lexington Museum is working in partnership with the OBON Society to repatriate the flag back to Japan for the flag to be reunited with the soldier’s surviving family members. OBON Society is a non-profit organization that over the past 13 years has repatriated more than 500 flags back to Japanese families and communities. The organization’s founders, Rex and Keiko Ziak, will acts as representatives of the family to bring their long-lost patriarch home, including a ceremonial reuniting with his wife who recently passed at the age of 102.  Representatives from OBON Society and the USS Lexington Museum will then accompany the flag on its journey back to Japan and the family.

The Good Luck Flag Repatriation Ceremony will take place aboard the USS Lexington Museum on Thursday, July 20th, at 9:00am. This ceremony is open to the public.

Click here to see a video to learn more about the Obon Society.

WHAT: Japanese Good Luck Flag Repatriation Ceremony

WHERE: USS Lexington Museum – Hangar Bay

WHEN: Thursday, July 20, 9:00 am