Need help with ID of WW2 "medal"?

[manj]

My grandfather received this while in Japan, he is getting older and does not remember to well. He said said they got it for helping the city with cleanliness (he does not remember which city, but they were glad they were there)??? He was a medic with the 38th BG 405th.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jesse

http://www.airsoftohio.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12358/pic1.jpg
http://www.airsoftohio.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12358/pic2.jpg

Here is a pic of him in the Philippines.
http://www.airsoftohio.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12358/pic3.jpg

[Warden]

Order of the Rising Sun 8th Class

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Rising_Sun

This site has the Medal and the Ribbon it should have for it.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/jap_medals.htm

[manj]

Thank you very much for the help. I wish he could remember more about getting it.


Jesse

[Chulo]

http://members.shaw.ca/nambuworld/risingsun8.htm

the second one I believe to be WWII-era (specifically, 1939). There are eight classes of this medal, with only the lowest two available to enlisted men. This one is the eighth class. I have read that this award was given to both military and civilian recipients for general merit. The name of this order is somewhat confusing. The top six classes are called kyokujitsusho in Japanese and translated as the Order of the Rising Sun in English. The seventh and eighth classes, however, are called the to-yo-sho in Japanese, which means “paulownia leaves medal” and is translated as Decoration of the Paulownia Leaves in OMJAS. The seventh and eighth classes are referred to by colour as well. The lowest one is the Order of the White Paulownia Leaves (see case inscription below). The seventh class is the Order of the Green Paulownia Leaves. Paulownia leaves are one of the symbols of the Japanese Imperial Family. Below is the inscription on the back. It is exactly the same as the one on the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 8th Class, except that the characters are all written in one line. The order is from right to left. It says kun-ko ki-sho, which again means “meritorious deed ribboned medal”

lots of pics and details

[manj]

One question I can't seem to find the answer for is, and maybe I have just overlooked it, but why would this be given to an American Airforce Medic in Japan during WWII?

Again thanks for the help.

[Chulo]

it seems it was given to all americans that came to Japan after the war

[manj]

Makes sence, they are on eBay for $10. Ill be happy keeping his.

Again much appreciated for the help guys!

Jesse