This item is one of over 30 medical-military objects collected by Harold B. Price, Chief Pharmacist's Mate, U.S. Navy, during his deployment in the Pacific theater during World War II. The material is all associated with the Japanese military and most of the items were collected on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll. The island was the site of intense fighting during the Battle of Tarawa, November 20-23, 1943.
Mr. Price loaned the material to the Smithsonian in August, 1944, and it was immediately put on public display. The original loan included a Japanese microscope and accessories which were returned to Price in November 1946. The remainder of the material was retained in the collection as a permanent gift.
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