Imperial Japan, 10 yen note, issued for use in occupied China acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.37 front
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
Japanese 10 yen note acquired by Captain James (Jim) Edward Kirkebo,who served in the US Army from 1940-1945, and fought in Europe with the Thunderbolt Division from December 1944-May 1945. This currency was first issued in 1930 by the Bank of Japan but then used, with variants, as a military banknote as Japan expanded their occupation of China in 1938. This variant has 2 red seals on the front. 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.
Japanese 10 yen note acquired by Captain James (Jim) Edward Kirkebo,who served in the US Army from 1940-1945, and fought in Europe with the Thunderbolt Division from December 1944-May 1945. This currency was first issued in 1930 by the Bank of Japan but then used, with variants, as a military banknote as Japan expanded their occupation of China in 1938. This variant has 2 red seals on the front. 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.
- Title: Imperial Japan, 10 yen note, issued for use in occupied China acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.37 front
- Provenance: The currency was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jamie Kirkebo, on behalf of the Estate of his father, James Edward Kirkebo., The currency was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jamie Kirkebo, on behalf of the Estate of his father, James Edward Kirkebo.
- Subject Keywords: Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Personal narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American., Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Personal narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
- Type: Exchange Media, Exchange Media
- Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
- External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Medium: Rectangular paper currency in black and brown ink with a pale red and blue floral background. The face has an interlocked border pattern with the denomination 10 in each corner and the side border, and a chrysanthemum symbol at the top. Across the center is a medallion with the denomination 10 shaded ired in the center, Japanese text, and a medallion with a realistic portrait of a bearded man, Wake no Kiyomaro. The serial number is in the top left and bottom right corners, with a 3 digit number in the opposite corners. There are 2 red Imperial Treasury signature seals in the center. The reverse has an orange floral rectangle underprint, with 3 superimposed black oval medallions: the denomination 10 is on the left and right; in the center is the Gooh Shinto shrine surrounded by trees, with the sun symbol above and Japanese characters below. It is creased with discoloration., Rectangular paper currency in black and brown ink with a pale red and blue floral background. The face has an interlocked border pattern with the denomination 10 in each corner and the side border, and a chrysanthemum symbol at the top. Across the center is a medallion with the denomination 10 shaded ired in the center, Japanese text, and a medallion with a realistic portrait of a bearded man, Wake no Kiyomaro. The serial number is in the top left and bottom right corners, with a 3 digit number in the opposite corners. There are 2 red Imperial Treasury signature seals in the center. The reverse has an orange floral rectangle underprint, with 3 superimposed black oval medallions: the denomination 10 is on the left and right; in the center is the Gooh Shinto shrine surrounded by trees, with the sun symbol above and Japanese characters below. It is creased with discoloration.
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