The Latest: US WWII vet returns flag to Japan soldier's kin
HIGASHISHIRAKAWA, Japan (AP) - The Latest on a U.S. veteran returning a fallen Japanese soldier's flag to the man's relatives (all times local):
11:30 a.m.
A U.S. World War II veteran has returned to a fallen soldier's family a Japanese flag he took from the man's body 73 years ago.
In this Aug. 14, 2017 photo, Tatsuya Yasue, 89-year-old farmer, wipes his tears while taking about his brother Sadao Yasue, who fell in battle during the war in Pacific more than 70 years ago, in Higashishirakawa, in central Japan's Gifu prefecture. Former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo will returns Sadao's calligraphy-covered flag he took from the fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Marvin Strombo knew the calligraphy-covered flag was more than a keepsake of the war. It was a treasure that would fill a void for the dead man's family.
The flag he handed over Tuesday to Sadao Yasue's siblings is the first trace of their brother. The Japanese authorities only gave them a wooden box containing a few rocks, a substitution for the remains that have never been returned.
Strombo has said he also plans to explain to Yasue's relatives how their brother died.
In this Aug. 14, 2017 photo, Tatsuya Yasue, 89-year-old farmer, shows a photo of his brother Sadao Yasue, who fell in battle during the war in Pacific more than 70 years ago, in Higashishirakawa, in central Japan's Gifu prefecture. Former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo will returns Sadao's calligraphy-covered flag he took from the fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
In this Aug. 13, 2017 photo, former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo speaks during a press conference in Tokyo. Strombo is in Japan to return the calligraphy-covered flag he took from a fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
In this Aug. 13, 2017 photo, former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo, right, holds a Japan's national flag during a press conference in Tokyo. Strombo is in Japan to return the calligraphy-covered flag he took from a fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
In this Aug. 14, 2017 photo, Tatsuya Yasue, 89-year-old farmer, speaks about his brother Sadao Yasue, who fell in battle during the war in Pacific more than 70 years ago, infant of a household altar at his home in Higashishirakawa, in central Japan's Gifu prefecture. Former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo will returns Sadao's calligraphy-covered flag he took from the fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
In this Aug. 13, 2017 photo, former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo, left, speaks with Obon society Founders Rex Ziak, center, and Keiko Ziak during a press conference in Tokyo. Strombo is in Japan to return the calligraphy-covered flag he took from a fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
In this Aug. 14, 2017 photo, Tatsuya Yasue, 89-year-old farmer, walks near his house in Higashishirakawa, in central Japan's Gifu prefecture. Former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo will returns Sadao's calligraphy-covered flag he took from the fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
In this Aug. 13, 2017 photo, former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo, center, is surrounded by journalists after a press conference in Tokyo. Strombo is in Japan to return the calligraphy-covered flag he took from a fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
In this Aug. 14, 2017 photo, Tatsuya Yasue, 89-year-old farmer, shows several photos of his brother Sadao Yasue, who fell in battle during the war in Pacific more than 70 years ago, in Higashishirakawa, in central Japan's Gifu prefecture. Former U.S. Marine Marvin Strombo will returns Sadao's calligraphy-covered flag he took from the fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
In this Monday, Aug. 7, 2017 photo, names are visible on a Japanese flag owned by WWII veteran Marvin Strombo in Portland, Ore. Strombo recovered the flag from a dead Japanese soldier in the Pacific more than 70 years ago and now, at age 93, will return the flag to the Japanese man's surviving siblings. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
In this Monday, Aug. 7, 2017 photo, WWII veteran Marvin Strombo sits with a Japanese flag with names written on it in Portland, Ore. Strombo recovered the flag from a dead Japanese soldier in the Pacific more than 70 years ago and now, at age 93, will return the flag to the Japanese man's surviving siblings. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
This Monday, Aug. 7, 2017 photo shows WWII veteran Marvin Strombo in Portland, Ore., Monday, Aug. 7, 2017. Strombo recovered the flag from a dead Japanese soldier in the Pacific more than 70 years ago and now, at age 93, will return the flag to the Japanese man's surviving siblings. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)