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Jacob Vouza displays head of a Japanese soldier at Henderson Field
Likely this is one of the Japanese surrounded at The Gifu in December 1942 and the head was brought down for publicity purposes to Henderson Field.

John Innes comments:
This was probably the most famous photo in the Pacific that was not published. It was considered to show us in a not nice light. The story I heard from Vouza's family is that Vouza and a younger boy had been caught by this Japanes officer and was being taken back a Japanese camp. During the walk to the camp Vouza pointed up to a cocoanut tree and gestured that he would send the boy up to get some nuts. The Japanese officer agreed. After the boy climbed the tree and sent down some nuts Vouza used his machette to open one and offered it to the jap. When the Jap officer tilted his head back to drink it Vouza sliced his head off. I do not know if the story is true. It is however what they told me. Another story is that late in the campaign Vouza had warned the Americans to be more vigilant because there were still Japs around and to prove it he went out and brought back the head.

Martin Clemens comments:
I asked Martin Clemens and he said that somebody else must have brought it in,as he didnt think Vouza would have done that. Vouza did slice a Japs head off in combat, but didnt bring it back. Martin said "...not that old Vouza had any love for Japs of course!"
Credit: USMC  Date: December 1942
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