Ethical question about a dead man's property

I'm in a dilemma. My grandfather who was a WWII vet, and a Pearl Harbor survivor recently died. My grandmother while going through his stuff found a very nice dagger in a box and told me the story of how my grandfather while serving in the Pacific theater took it off of a dead Japanese soldier. After she told me the story she said "He would want you to have it." and then gave it to me.

Here is my dilemma. I feel terrible that my grandfather took the dagger off the dead soldier, and I feel it is wrong to keep it. On the other hand though it was a long time ago, and it would be something to give my grandkids as a link to the past and a connection to my grandfather.

What should I do?


On edit: It is an ornate dagger. It does not look like it was issued.

It is a link to your grandfather and the past.

But never forget what it means, and don't let your kids and grandkids forget.

That is what I would do. I am sure that you will be able to find the right place for it.

we have shared, not the material as much. They are nice to have, but if this bothers you, I would donate it. Wonderful idea!

It's a weapon, not a watch or other personal item. He took the very thing that was supposed to be used to kill him.

My grandfather who was also in WWII got a German Mauser pistol from a soldier and kept it. He died recently so I don't know what happened to it. I did get to hold it once. It's a fairly heavy gun.

No, seriously! I have a list of potential honorees, Want a list?

in your grandfather's memory. Trophies in wartime are to be expected. Besides, it might be next to impossible to return it to the original owner's family.

Supernova family story. My uncle, dad's brother, drove a fuel truck for Patton in WWII. Yes, he spent those years following Patton all over North Africa and Italy.

The year before he died, he told us many stories about that time. During one session he said, "Wait a minute. I've got something in the closet I want to show you." My sister and I wondered what it was. :shrug:

He came back a few minutes later with a cloth wrapping. Wrapped inside was a Swastika armband, looking brand-spanking new. It could have been made yesterday. The red was brilliantly shocking red. The white background circle was brilliant white. The Swastika itself was jet black.

Uncle Warren said he took it off a dead German soldier at Anzio. I believed him.

Relics remind us that these conflicts were real. They did happen to real people that we know. They're not just stories made to fill up history books.

I do know looking at that Swastika I felt the bile rise in my mouth. I can only imagine the monstrous mentality of the person who wore it.

of the average German soldier was much the same as the average allied soldier - they were there getting shot at because they were told too. There was a difference between the SS and the regular army.

That said - I'd probably keep it or donate to a museum, tracking down the owner is, I think, a bit much to expect of you. I've heard of considerably more gruesome war "souveniers" - an Australian family recently found (and returned to Turkey) a mummified head from WW1.

http://www.anzacday.biz/anzac_day/archive/news.asp?index=163

Why do you feel it is wrong to keep it? The dagger is part of your own history. If your grandfather would have been the one who the dagger was stolen from, you wouldn't be here asking anything.

of a life changing event for your lost loved one I would think. Maybe if you wre to go into detail with your grandmother about where and when how your Grandad served and what he thought of it all as much as she is able to recall , you may find yourself fulfilling a living history as has been done since man began. Kinda neat really if ya think about it.

Never kill another man.

it is a link to your past. You can always use it to teach your kids the horrors of war.

If it's a one-of-a-kind item and very ornate, there may be a way of tracing ownership. Show it to some experts. Take it on Antiques Roadshow if necessary. Your effort is a way of atoning for your grandfather's act, which is nonetheless beyond our judgment anyway. You may find the dead Japanese soldier's family but, if not, keep it because you are now it's custodian. It may have dreadful meaning for you but better that than leaving history in the hands of someone who doesn't care one way or another.