Warning: Graphic Content
In 1944, a young woman is composing a thank-you note to her Navy boyfriend for the Japanese soldier's skull he sent her.
In 1944, a young woman is composing a thank-you note to her Navy boyfriend for the Japanese soldier's skull he sent her.
Ralph Crane captured the photograph of Natalie Nickerson holding a skull, which gained prominence as the Picture of the Week in LIFE magazine's May 22, 1944, edition. The publication of this image stirred considerable controversy, initiating discussions on the ethical considerations and broader implications associated with war souvenirs. The act of collecting "war trophies" was a prevalent practice during World War II, with Allied forces sometimes adopting a perspective toward the Japanese similar to how Germans viewed Russians. This phenomenon triggered widespread national shock and outrage.
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