The Battle of Iwo Jima was during World War II and Edgar Lane, Sr. of New Brighton had joined the Marines and served there, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. Mr. Lane, brought home a Japanese flag from the war and never discussed it, and and was passed down to His granddaughter Cindy. the flag’s owner, Shiro Koga was killed in the war Mrs. Kester volunteers at the Air Heritage Museum in Chippewa Township and brought the flag to the museum to show the guys.”. Yoshihiro Yoshimura who moved to Pittsburgh from Japan and came to Air Heritage to see the planes was at the airport on November 12 and helped to get the ball rolling to find its owner. A news broadcast on RKB News in Japan made it possible to locate Shiro Koga’s great nephew Eusike Oniike, who lives in Fukuoka City The event was very very emotional for Kester and Oniike.. Oniike travelled the 14 hours to Pittsburgh International Airport on Friday, and in ceremony that was a “once in a lifetime event” was held Saturday afternoon at Air Heritage. The silk flag, with the sun in the middle, and writings from Koga’s nephew’s family, was tattered , but it contained family members names , he carried it everywhere so he could feel his family was with him for his safe return He was the 9th of 10 children in the family It took 72 years and a news broadcast to return the flag., The ceremony, and luncheon was attended by approximately 75 persons. Oniike, speaking to the group through an interpreter said , “I pray for peace in the world and that no war will occur between the United States and Japan again. Kester was scheduled to take him on a tour of Pittsburgh yesterday. He returns to Japan today with his photographer/interpreter.