Flag
Flag
Flag

Flag

Object number2016.100.7
Date1964
OriginTokyo, Japan
MediumFabric/Silk/Paper
Credit LineGift of Frederick W. Lenn, Jr.
DescriptionRectangular white silk souvenir flag. Flag comes to point at bottom edge which is lined with yellow fringe. Top is folded over forming a sleeve. Back is lined with white fabric. Decoration on front includes a gold border and from top to bottom: a red circle (sun), gold Olympic rings, text, and Japanese characters.Dimensions11.625 x 6 x 0.25 in. (29.5 x 15.2 x 0.6 cm)
InscriptionsText on front includes gold "TOKYO 1964" and Japanese characters in black.
Historical NotesPart of a collection that documents the military boxing career of donor Frederick W. Lenn, Jr.'s father, Freddie Lenn. Lenn was born Frederick Walter Lenkoski on December 29th, 1914, in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. He learned to box at the boxing program set-up by Father Cox, the famous social activist priest from Pittsburgh. He began to amateur box in 1930, at the Frawley Athletic Club. At age 17, he won the lightweight championship in the Golden Gloves. A year later he enlisted in the Marines. He spent 1934 to 1936 in Shanghai where he continued to box for the military. He won the "Light Heavyweight Champion of the Orient" at the All Asiatic match. He returned to Pittsburgh and went pro after signing with promoter Art Rooney. His last pro fight was in 1940. After Pearl Harbor he was called from the reserves and went on active duty in the South Pacific where he began his coaching career in the Marine Corps. He was a boxing trainer for the 1959-1960 Pan Am games where Cassius Clay participated. He was the first military trainer to become a head Olympic boxing coach for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. He retired from the Marines in 1968.
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