Title
Fragment from a Japanese Torpedo Plane
Description
A thin, jagged sheet of metal with a chipping green paint and a small rivet hole near the flat edge. The back side has a handwritten note from Samuel Wingrove that reads "Fragment From Japanese Torpedo Plane; Sam Wingrove Collection."
Collection
Samuel Wingrove Collection
Context
This fragment was picked up and kept by Samuel Wingrove. A plank owner and Water Tender aboard the USS Laffey (DD-724) during World War II, Wingrove was present for both D-Day and the Battle of Okinawa. The Battle of Okinawa is the source of this fragment with the metal shard coming from either an Aichi D3A "Val" or a Yokosuka D4Y "Judy" Japanese torpedo plane. As a Water Tender, Wingrove had first access to fragments left by kamikaze attacks on April 15, 1945 as the sailors fought to put out the flames.
Wingrove would go on to serve in the Korean War and retire as a US Navy Chief Petty Officer.
Wingrove would go on to serve in the Korean War and retire as a US Navy Chief Petty Officer.
Accession #
2024.42
