CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan -- The Battle of Okinawa historical display is one of many types of historical displays, complete with uniforms, replicas, newspaper articles and posters. However, its meaning goes far deeper for members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, who visited the display to learn more about the battle.
Thirty members of the 15th Brigade, Western Army, JGSDF, received a guided tour of the historical display on Camp Kinser Feb. 22 to further their insight and knowledge on the Battle of Okinawa.
“This display keeps the history of the battle alive,” said Chris Majewski, the director of the Battle of Okinawa historical display. “It brings everything into perspective and allows those visiting to see the battle from different viewpoints.”
The display offers perspectives from both the Japanese and American sides, according to Majewski, who gives the tour in Japanese and English. This is one of the most important aspects of the display due to many people growing up with one-sided views on the war in the Pacific.
“It was my goal to simply give the members of the 15th Brigade a taste of history,” said Majewski. “I started by giving them a small brief on the display and then went in-depth on the battle itself.”
Many of the JGSDF members were looking for information on where their relatives may have fought, where certain engagements took place, and what units were involved. At the conclusion of the guided tour, the members of the 15th Brigade walked freely around the display to take in more knowledge and history.
“I never knew something like this existed on Camp Kinser,” said JGSDF Lt. Col. Kaname Ota, director for G-4, supply and logistics, 15th Brigade. “We are very grateful that the United States has preserved everything so well. I feel that every JGSDF member should visit this display, as it was a good learning experience.”
Not only did the display give the members of the brigade insight into their history, but also a perspective of the battle from the American side.
“This display gives anyone who walks in a 360-degree view of the battle,” said Danny Anhalt, the deputy director of the historical display. “We want to show people how we are preserving this knowledge for the future.”
The guided tour of the Battle of Okinawa historical display was a success, according to Ota. It gave the members of the 15th Brigade a taste of history as well as insight into the battle itself, and the display stood out to the 15th Brigade due to its balanced view.
“This display was impressive,” said Ota. “I was very moved that the United States has preserved this, and that we could find information on the experiences of our ancestors who fought in this battle.”