Stories of Faith and Courage From World War II (66 page)

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

—2 Corinthians 11:13–14

Marines advancing on difficult terrain. (National Archives)

Church service on Okinawa. (National Archives)

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ECEMBER 6

Emergency Landing

During the battle for Iwo Jima, the Marines suffered their highest casualty rate of the war. For the first time, there were more American dead and wounded than Japanese. One rifle company landed with 235 men, received seventy replacements during the battle, and suffered 240 casualties, more than 100 percent of its original strength. Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded, reflecting the heroism of the men and the savagery of the fighting.

On March 4 the battle for the island was still raging when the Marines received an unexpected visitor. A B-29 bomber flew past Mount Suribachi, dipped down, and slammed onto the partially repaired airstrip. As the aircraft skidded to a stop at the northern end of the runway, the name
Dynah Might
could be seen painted on the nose. Enemy fire started falling near the aircraft. Taxiing back to the other side of the airfield out of range of the enemy guns, the sixty-five-ton behemoth came to a stop. The crew jumped out of the aircraft, fell on their hands and knees and kissed the runway. Hundreds of Seabees and Marines cheered their throats dry, as one Marine observed, “What a contrast! Here were men so glad to be on the island they were kissing it. A mile or two to the north were three Marine divisions who thought the ground… (was) not even good enough to spit on.”
⁵¹²

The
Dynah Might
brought a tangible demonstration to the Marines of what they were fighting for on Iwo Jima. By war’s end more than two thousand U.S. aircraft would land on the little island, and thousands of other airmen would be saved. From time to time we all need some tangible reminders of what we’re striving for. Our mission as Christians is to save souls, and there is nothing more motivating than to hear about a success. Share your own witness with your brothers and sisters in Christ. You never know when your words will be the very encouragement that someone else needs to carry on in their work for the Lord’s kingdom.

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

—Acts 1:8

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ECEMBER 7

Nurses

As soon as Iwo Jima Airfield No. 1 was cleared of enemy mines and the runways were repaired, transport aircraft from Guam began arriving to evacuate the seriously wounded. At that time a group of twelve nurses had just arrived on Guam to work in the field hospital there. Norma Crotty was one of the first to learn that she would accompany a flight to Iwo Jima and care for wounded Marines on the return trip. After an anxious five-hour flight, she suddenly found herself in the middle of a combat zone for the first time. She could hardly believe the lack of color in a desolate landscape filled with dirt, smoke, and noise. To her it was like “living in a newsreel.”
⁵¹³

She soon found the aid station, where thirty of the most seriously wounded were selected for evacuation. They were taken to the waiting aircraft and put on bunks stacked four high. Since there were no doctors on the return flight, Norma and one corpsman were on their own taking care of their patients. Her memories of these men were vivid and lasting:

The fellows were so much younger than us, seventeen or eighteen years old, and some of them looked younger than that. Like little boys. And they wanted their mothers, and we sort of became their mothers and comforted them. They were all very courteous and appreciative of anything we did. As much as we did for them medically, I think it was the comforting that was most important to them, and to us. Mostly, they wanted to talk to us, and they enjoyed watching us comb our hair and put on lipstick. They’d ask us to do that. The feeling of closeness to these boys I didn’t have again until I had children.
⁵¹⁴

There are few things as pure as a nurse’s love for her patients or a mother’s love for her children, both of which are illustrated in this story. It is an incredible realization that both are but a pale reflection of God’s love for us. In spite of the fact that we turn away from him and continually disappoint him, he continues to treat us as his own children. In the greatest demonstration of love ever known, he sent his Son to live in the world, to teach us, to suffer for us, and to redeem us to himself.

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

—Romans 5:8

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ECEMBER 8

Divine Wind

An important event in Japanese history occurred in the year 1281 when the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan invaded the island nation with an overwhelming army and naval armada. Vastly outnumbered, the Japanese fought back, but were saved only by an unseasonable typhoon that scattered the invasion fleet. This incident was considered an intervention by divine providence and remembered as the Kamikaze or Divine Wind.

In 1944, facing the inexorable Allied advance toward the home islands, the Japanese military turned to a desperate measure. A modern “divine wind” of suicide bombers was unleashed on the American fleet. The first wave of Kamikazes hurtled down at Leyte Gulf in the Philippines in October 1944, where the escort carrier
St. Lo
became the first victim of the new tactic. These attacks built to a crescendo at Okinawa where thirty-six ships and landing craft were destroyed. It is estimated that by war-end 4,900 U.S. sailors were killed by as many as 5,000 Kamikaze attacks.
⁵¹⁵

In May 1945 a twenty-three-year-old Japanese pilot wrote his last letter home before his one and only mission:

Dear Parents: Please congratulate me. I have been given a splendid opportunity to die. This is my last day. The destiny of our homeland hinges on the decisive battle in the seas to the south where I shall fall like a blossom from a radiant cherry tree. I shall be a shield for His Majesty and die cleanly along with my squadron leader and other friends.
⁵¹⁶

The individual courage of this Japanese airman cannot be denied. It is the policy of intentional suicide that is so abhorrent to our value system. Our concern for human life stems from our loyalty to a God who created us in his image and places eternal value on every human soul. Even in wartime Americans have and will hopefully always continue to conserve lives, whether they be our own troops, civilians, or even enemy combatants. No human life is expendable.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

—Genesis 1:26

USS
Bunker Hill
burns after suicide attack. (National Archives)

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ECEMBER 9

God Is My Co-Pilot

Robert Scott was one of World War II’s most famous aviators. He was credited with thirteen aerial victories while flying his P-40 Warhawk over China. He flew as a volunteer with General Claire Chennault’s Flying Tigers and then as commander of the 23
^rd

Fighter Group of the China Air Task Force. He returned to the United States in 1943 to a hero’s welcome and nationwide speaking tour. While still on active duty he wrote his wartime memoir, God Is My Co-Pilot, and served as technical advisor to Warner Brothers for the movie production of his book. Colonel Scott wrote a heartfelt prayer to share his faith with other military men and women:

Prayer of a Fighter Pilot

O God, My Father, The Great Referee of earth and sea and sky, be with me in combat and adversity. Strengthen my love for the land that has given me birth and make me worthy of the sacrifices of my fathers in hewing America from the wilderness they found. Endow me with the courage to face danger in spite of fear. Make me resolve that the blood of my fathers was not shed in vain and that regardless of cost our way of life shall endure. Keep me physically strong that I may better defend my home and my native land. Keep me mentally awake that my enemies may never again strike with surprise and deal with me in treachery. Uplift my morals that I may better maintain the honor of my country and reverence of my forefathers. Let duty to God and country be my most sublime aspirations, and kindle my heart and soul with the determination to die rather than yield the ideals of my world. O God, My Father, whatever duty befalls me when my country calls, may I acquit myself as worthy of Thy Guidance.

And when my combat’s over and my flying days are done I will store my ship forever in the airdrome of the sun. Then I’ll meet the Referee, Great God, my Flying Boss, Whose Wingspread fills the heavens from Polaris to the Cross.

…Amen
⁵¹⁷

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

—Job 38:47

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ECEMBER 10

Faith Will Help

Chaplain Herb Van Meter wrote many letters to the families of fallen heroes and with great effort did his best to personalize each one. In April 1945 he wrote to the family of James Emory, a Marine killed on Iwo Jima.

As we left Iwo Jima you would know how hard it was to leave behind those who fought beside me. As the transport left the anchorage the troops stood silently, reverently at attention in their honor. Eyes were fixed on the flag flying in the Division cemetery over their graves. It was a holy moment. Words cannot express the thoughts that rise in a man’s heart at such a time. There were men thinking of James as there were men whose thoughts were with those who lie beside him under those white crosses. There were prayers and there were tears. We will not forget.