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  Himeyuri Peace Museum [ OKINAWA ]

Himeyuri Peace Museum Image

Himeyuri Peace Museum was constructed in 1989, with donations by, and the cooperation of, many people in Okinawa. This is the actual site of the Third Surgery Cave of the Army Field Hospital, where many young women scarified their lives. They were girl students between the ages of 14 and 18 mobilized on March 28, 1945. Being hurriedly but strictly taught and trained to work as student nurses, they tended wounded soldiers day and night continuously during the bloodiest days of the Battle of Okinawa, suffering from insufficient sleep and very stressful conditions. Unfortunately, on June 19 the cave was attached by U.S. troops with phosphorus hand grenades, resulting in the death of 46 student nurses. Their names are engraved on the monument at the entrance.