Shoichi YokoiIn 1974, Hiroo Onoda, a lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army, was discovered in the Philippines. For nearly 30 years, Onoda had been hiding in the jungle, refusing to believe that World War II had ended.
When Onoda refused to return to Japan unless his old commanding officer personally withdrew the order to continue fighting, authorities tracked him down. The man, then working as a Kyushu bookseller, was flown to Lubang, where he read out an Imperial Army order of 1945.
When Onoda landed in Japan, his older brother was waiting to greet him. "I don't know whether to shout 'Well done,'" he declared, "or 'You damn fool!'"
[Despite his hero's reception, Onoda later left Japan. "I just couldn't adjust," he explained. He reportedly emigrated first to Brazil and then "did karaoke" in Ohio.]
Onoda, Hiroo (1922- ) Japanese soldier
[Sources: M. Kesterton, Globe and Mail]More Hiroo Onoda anecdotesRelated Anecdote Keywords:
Japan War World War II War Dedication Surprises Philippines Dummies Soldiers Military
View/add Comments [0]
