Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

by Larkin Spivey

  December 1

  God Be Merciful

  The little Episcopal Prayer Book for Soldiers and Sailors was a complete resource for worship, prayer, and study. It included Bible passages that were especially useful for military men and women. One of these was Jesus’ classic parable of the proud man and the humble man:

  The Pharisee and the Publican

  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:9–14 KJV)

  The little prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” is the key to our faith in Jesus Christ. I say it earnestly every day. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and, until we acknowledge our own hopeless condition, there is nothing he can do within us; there is no room for his saving grace.

  This Scripture passage is especially fitting for the last month of this book, devoted to victory in World War II. It is an appropriate reminder of the danger of pride, which can cause us to stumble at the personal and the national level. In this war America achieved complete and total victory over all her enemies. A thankful humility was appropriate then and continues to be our best posture as a nation now, as we acknowledge God’s grace and our countless blessings.

  December 2

  Fourth Inaugural Address

  On January 20, 1945, Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated for an unprecedented fourth term of office as president of the United States. At that time the Battle of the Bulge was raging in Europe and the invasion of Iwo Jima was about to start. The war was far from over, and uncertainty about the future still gripped the nation. In his inaugural address Roosevelt sought to share a vision of hope and peace for the world based on his faith in God’s guidance:

  As I stand here today, having taken the solemn oath of office in the presence of my fellow countrymen—in the presence of our God—I know that it is America’s purpose that we shall not fail. In the days and the years that are to come we shall work for a just and honorable peace, a durable peace, as today we work and fight for a total victory in war…

  We can gain no lasting peace if we approach it with suspicion and mistrust—or with fear. We can gain it only if we proceed with the understanding and the confidence and the courage which flow from conviction.

  The Almighty God has blessed our land in many ways. He has given our people stout hearts and strong arms with which to strike mighty blows for our freedom and truth. He has given to our country a faith which has become the hope of all peoples in an anguished world.

  So we pray to Him now for the vision to see our way clearly—to see the way that leads to a better life for ourselves and for all our fellow men—to the achievement of His will to peace on earth.504

  President Roosevelt’s comments perfectly reflect America’s situation in the present time, and his prayer remains totally relevant today. Human beings are clearly not capable of achieving peace on Earth by means of their own resources. Only in God will this sought-for state ever be found.

  The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

  —Psalms 33:11–12

  December 3

  Fourth Honeymoon

  An anonymous Navy Armed Guard sailor left a diary of his experiences on the merchant ship SS Russell A. Alger. In November 1944 the Alger set sail from New York City as part of a larger convoy headed across the Atlantic to North Africa and Belgium. This was the beginning of another long separation between a young sailor and his wife. After saying goodbye to her he wrote these words:

  As I watched New York’s famous skyline fade from view in the dim, early morning light I recounted the many happy hours Margaret and I spent together in the brief period of just less than two weeks that had slipped away during the stay in port preceding the journey that had just started. We had jokingly referred to it as our “fourth honeymoon,” since ours was a wartime marriage and each subsequent meeting was another honeymoon. We were so accustomed to these brief meetings, with the necessity for living each moment to its fullest, that sometime we caught ourselves wondering what it will be like to live in a peaceful world without the tender farewells and joyous meetings. I am certain that the meeting, however brief, is so much better than being away from each other for a year or more. I fear that there will be many adjustments that will have to be made when the war is over, especially amongst those couples who have been separated for long periods.505

  We can call this “looking on the bright side.” This young man had many reasons to feel sorry for himself. Repeated separations were painful for him and his wife. However, he was wise enough to realize that many wartime separations were measured in years rather than months. Others were having an even harder time.

  We need this same perspective as we deal with our own problems from day to day. No matter how difficult our situation, we can be confident that it could be worse. More importantly, no matter how difficult our situation, there is always much for which we can be thankful. A thankful heart is more pleasing to God than one preoccupied with problems, and thankfulness can be the perfect basis for a growing relationship with him.

  Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

  —Psalms 30:4–5

  December 4

  A Soul-Stirring Sight

  The USS Franklin was a World War II Essex-class aircraft carrier, affectionately known to her crew as “ Big Ben.” On the morning of March 19, 1945, she was maneuvering close to Japan when a lone enemy bomber attacked suddenly, dropping two bombs that penetrated deep into the ship, causing immense devastation and widespread fires. As the fires grew in intensity, secondary explosions started from the ship’s ammunition stocks. Casualties were everywhere.

  From this scene of chaos arose one of the war’s greatest heroes. Lt. Cdr. Joseph O’Callahan was Big Ben’s chaplain and a very impressive figure. His physical appearance was commanding and his past accomplishments as a collegiate track star, writer, and university professor were legendary. His actions on this day are best recounted in the citation for his Medal of Honor:

  Lieutenant Commander O’Callahan groped his way through smoke-filled corridors to the open deck and into the midst of violently exploding bombs, rockets and other armament. With the ship rocked by incessant explosions, with debris and fragments raining down and fires raging in ever increasing fury, he ministered to the wounded and dying, comforting and encouraging men of all faiths; he organized and led fire-fighting crews into the blazing inferno on the flight deck…Serving with courage, fortitude and deep spiritual strength, Lieutenant Commander O’Callahan inspired the gallant officers and men of the Franklin to fight heroically and with profound faith in the face of almost certain death.506

  This was the only Medal of Honor awarded to a chaplain in World War II. His commanding officer called O’Callahan, “The bravest man I ever saw.”507 Another officer described his actions as “a soul stirring sight.”508 With a white cross painted on his helmet Joseph O’Callahan bravely went beyond the call of duty and distinguished himself and the Savior whom he served.

  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

  —2 Timothy 1:7

  December 5


  An Unseen Enemy

  Iwo Jima means “sulfur island,” and the rotten egg smell of sulfur gas pouring out of steaming rock beds permeated the air. By the time the Marines landed there was practically no vegetation remaining over a moonscape of cratered volcanic sand and rocky ridges. They soon realized that they were engaged in a two-dimensional battle. They were fighting

  on Iwo Jima, whereas the Japanese defenders were under Iwo Jima. The island had been turned into one of the greatest underground fortresses ever seen.

  For months Korean laborers, military engineers and demolition experts had built fortified positions and interconnecting tunnels throughout the island, stocked with ammunition and food. The Japanese soldiers waited in these mutually supporting underground fortifications for the Americans to come to them. Each had a printed “battle vow” before him in his cave: “Each man will make it his duty to kill ten of the enemy before dying.”509

  For the Marines, this was largely a battle against an unseen enemy. One historian remarked, “There were Marines who fought on Iwo Jima for the entire six-week campaign who never saw a living enemy soldier.”510 One Marine said, “It was an eerie landscape. While you couldn’t see them, you had a feeling that the Japanese had you always in their sights.”511

  Christians also face an enemy that amazingly remains largely unseen in the world around them. Satan has succeeded in trivializing his own image to the extent that few take even his existence seriously. The little red figure with a pitchfork is more of a joke than a threat to anyone’s eternal survival. It is well to ponder the evil that we see at work in the world and how well organized it often seems to be. And we need to renew our understanding of this enemy’s nature through Scripture: “The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”(1 Peter 5:8). Knowledge of such an enemy is essential to our spiritual survival.

  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)

  December 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

  December 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

  December 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 ete
rnal 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)

  December 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 23rd 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: