War grows lasting roots of hate. December 7, 1941the infamous Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor impacted the world. This is a story of reconciliation, forgiveness, and of enemies becoming friends. It is a story of two men, Captain Fuchida and Jake DeShazer, representing two nations. It is our story. God shines the light of Christ in unlikely ways.
Captain Mitsuo Fuchida led the first wave of the attack on Pearl Harbor. After returning from the attack, he became a national hero in Japan. Yet after the war, he was disillusioned, and his heart was empty.
“Jake” Jacob De Shazer served as a bombardier on the “Bat out of Hell” crew, which was part of the risky US Doolittle response raid in April 1942. He was captured and placed in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Jake spent 34 months in solitary confinement. Miraculously, a Bible was given, and Jake’s life was transformed when he read Romans 10:9. He trusted in Christ as his Savior and committed his life to be a missionary to Japan if he made it out alive. Sure enough, he went to Japan and distributed a pamphlet, “I was a Japanese prisoner of war”.
Captain Fuchida discovered one of these pamphlets. He was fascinated. He found a Bible and later wrote, “I read the Bible because I wanted to understand how my enemies could love me.” He surrendered his life to Christ after reading Luke 23: 34 “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
These two men became friends, as well as evangelists and preachers. As early as 1951, Captain Fuchida spoke at Kalihi Union Church, hosted in Ray Uechi’s home. He made many visits to Hawaii, but the most memorable was the 25th anniversary of the attack. In the Name of Jesus, representing our two nations, Captain Fuchida and Jake DeShazer apologized, and declared that what vengeance was now forgiveness and lasting friendship.