Wartime History
This tank was one of three tanks of the Makin Tank Detachment of 3rd Special Base Force commanded by Lt.j.g. Seizo Ishikawa.

During the battle of Makin Island from November 20-24, 1943. One of the three tanks was destroyed in combat, the other two were emplaced in ravetments and abandoned without being used in combat. This tank was captured by the US Army 27th Infantry Division on Makin Island.

Recovered from the battlefield and transported back to Hawaii, either for technical evaluation and as a 'war prize'.

Display
Abandoned at Fort Shafter, in the middle 1970's it was taken to Fort DeRussy / US Army Museum of Hawaii by Warren Sessler for external restoration and display outdoors at the museum.

Previously, it was painted in a two tone color scheme, with 'rising sun' flag on the side of the turret. Sometime between 1993 and the present, it was repainted overall green color scheme. In 2006 it was repainted in a two tone color scheme (yellow and green).

References
Thanks to Warren Sessler for restoration information.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

Type 95

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