Allied Military Authority currency, 50 sen, B series, for use in Japan, acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.15 front

Allied military currency, 50 sen, issued in postwar occupied Japan, acquired by Captain James (Jim) Edward Kirkebo, who served in the United States Army from 1940-1945, including combat duty with the Thunderbolt Division in Europe from December 1944-May 1945. The B series was issued in Japan from September 1945-July 1948 and in Okinawa until 1958. Military currency or occupation money was produced for use by military personnel in occupied territories. Notes for the different currencies: lire, francs, kroner, marks, schillings, and yen, had similar designs for ease of production. Kirkebo, 19, enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and, in August 1942, 2nd Lt. Kirkebo became commanding officer, C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. In December 1944, Kirkebo's unit landed in Normandy, defended Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany. Kirkebo received a battlefield promotion to captain on February 1, 1945. On May 5 and 6, soldiers from the 11th Armored liberated Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps. At Mauthausen, the unit was tasked with caring for 19,000 starving inmates. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Kirkebo was awarded a Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars for his leadership and heroism in action.

Allied military currency, 50 sen, issued in postwar occupied Japan, acquired by Captain James (Jim) Edward Kirkebo, who served in the United States Army from 1940-1945, including combat duty with the Thunderbolt Division in Europe from December 1944-May 1945. The B series was issued in Japan from September 1945-July 1948 and in Okinawa until 1958. Military currency or occupation money was produced for use by military personnel in occupied territories. Notes for the different currencies: lire, francs, kroner, marks, schillings, and yen, had similar designs for ease of production. Kirkebo, 19, enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and, in August 1942, 2nd Lt. Kirkebo became commanding officer, C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. In December 1944, Kirkebo's unit landed in Normandy, defended Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany. Kirkebo received a battlefield promotion to captain on February 1, 1945. On May 5 and 6, soldiers from the 11th Armored liberated Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps. At Mauthausen, the unit was tasked with caring for 19,000 starving inmates. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Kirkebo was awarded a Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars for his leadership and heroism in action.