Unique World War II relic, a war-made souvenir ‘battle flag’ for the U.S.S. COLUMBIA, 16 in. square, bearing the red hand-stamped imagery of the Japanese rising sun flag, a plane, ship, and naval artillery, with the name of the light cruiser ‘USS Columbia’ written at the top. Beneath each image are strikes indicating the ship took down six Japanese planes, one ship, and participation in six bombardments. The flag was clearly hastily made during the war and signed by sixteen companions of the original maker, possibly those of a gunnery crew. Minimal staining throughout, else very good. The U.S.S. COLUMBIA was launched Dec. 17, 1941 (only ten days after Pearl Harbor) and saw action in several Pacific theater campaigns in the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. On Nov. 1, 1943 during the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay the COLUMBIA along with the DENVER and CLEVELAND, fired upon several Japanese destroyers, sinking two and damaging two others. Up until 1944, the ship and her crew were quite lucky, having only lost four men in three years of service, but that changed on Jan. 6, 1945 when she was struck by a kamikaze attack in the Lingayen Gulf, resulting in the loss of 13 men with 44 wounded, putting her aft turrets out of action, and setting the ship afire. Impressive damage control measures allowed for the ship to remain in action and continue giving support to underwater demolition teams. Three days later the ship was hit by a second kamikaze attack which knocked out six gun directors and a gun mount, killing 24 and wounding a further 97. The crew, refusing to be put out of action, continued to put out fires and provide necessary bombardment and fire support. For their admirable service, the unit was granted the Navy Unit Commendation.