MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — During World War II, a series of battles known as the Bougainville Campaign were fought in the Pacific. A flag that was captured during this campaign is now on display at the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot.

The flag was captured on Bougainville Island in 1944 by American and North Dakotan Charles Simonson. The plaque states that it was originally a battle flag, but the artifact was misidentified. It is actually a good luck flag, which was given to Japanese soldiers when they went off to battle. As such, many names and messages are written in Japanese on the fabric.

Museum Director Jenna Grindberg says there is a lot of history behind the prize — both from those who first owned the flag to the man who captured it. Paul Simonson, Charles’ son, is loaning the flag to the museum, where it rests alongside many other Japanese artifacts from all across history.

“Too many people are starting to forget this period and what it is about,” she concludes. “It directly plays into how things are today. We can not forget.”

Grindberg says having real artifacts on display will help remind people what has happened throughout history. She encourages people to come see this piece of history before it’s no longer there, as the owner can take it back at any time.

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