At auction: Adm. John McCain’s relics from World War II

A rare collection of World War II-era relics from the late Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) grandfather is up for auction this week that pulls back the curtain on America’s view of the Japanese enemy at the time.

“I’ve always considered it a mark of inferiority to hate,” Adm. John S. McCain Sr. said, according to a press conference transcript in the offering, “but damn it all I hate the Japs.”

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Among the highlights in Thursday’s historical militaria and autographs online sale from Alexander Historical Auctions is a Japanese military medal captured by a Navy lieutenant commander and given to McCain Sr., who promised to send it back while attached to a bomb after a request “to even the score.”

(Photo courtesy of Alexander Historical Auctions)

Alexander’s latest auction of historical items and relics, many from World War II and Nazi Germany, takes place on Wednesday and Thursday. Other items expected to go for top dollar include Adolf Hitler’s signed order to invade Yugoslavia and a group of letters from troops that brought Gen. George S. Patton to tears.

McCain Sr., whose son and grandson served in the Navy, was an important player in the development of the Navy’s use of aerial warfare, key to battling Japanese forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Bill Panagopulos, the president of Alexander, said the older McCain’s “influence in the war cannot be overstated.” He commanded the task force that launched raids in the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Japan’s home islands throughout the final chapter of the war.

The items already drawing attention in the package expected to sell for $3,000-$4,000 are McCain Sr.’s personally owned and worn dress belt and buckle, as well as his original belt buckle bearing the name of the ship he commanded, the USS Bonhomme Richard. Vintage photos are also included.

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His press comments saved in the transcript show how America at the time felt conflicted about attacking the Japanese.

“This is the worst war in all history. Our objective is still the same as it was on December 7th: kill or be killed. Just because we are fighting in their backyard instead of our own, does not change the objectives of this war. No Jap I’ve ever heard of deserves to live. Everyone who has fought out there hates the Jap. It is not the nature of an American pilot to hate anyone but those who have come in contact with the Jap, hate him,” McCain Sr. said.