This distinctively marked container held one round of star shell ammunition, used to provide night-time illumination.

Designed to create light by releasing a flare that would descend under a parachute, star shells could help identify targets. Canadian and other United Nations ships also used star shells to disrupt attempts by Chinese and North Korean forces to carry out night-time naval operations. Fired at random intervals, star shells illuminated inshore waters, or waters around South Korean-held islands, discouraging the enemy from using small craft for transportation, raids, and mine-laying.

Shell Box, 4.5-Inch Star Shell
CWM 19700009-012