Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

I want to counsel you not to discuss this decision that must be made with each other—not even husband and wife. Go to your knees and say, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do? Shall I go or shall I stay?’ This is extremely vital, because then no matter what happens in the months or possibly years ahead, you will know that you are exactly where God wants you to be. If He leads you to leave, you’ll never feel that you were a coward and fled. If you are led to stay, no matter what happens you can look up and say, ‘Lord, you intended for me to be right here.’¹⁶³

Later, when the trucks arrived to pick up the missionaries, not one stepped forward to leave. All knew with certainty that God had called them to stay. Dr. Jaffrey said, “ God does not work in confusion, a wife against her husband or vice versa, in a matter that concerns both of you. This is but a confirmation to your hearts of His directive.”¹⁶⁴

Three days later it was reported that their assigned ship had been torpedoed and sunk with no known survivors. God had obviously spoken to these missionaries, and, amazingly, they were able individually to discern his guidance. We have to be inspired by the example of these spiritual people. Like them, we should seek to grow constantly in our ability to distinguish God’s voice amid the clutter and distractions of our lives. This is no less a matter of life and death for us than for a group of missionaries long ago in the Pacific.

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

—John 10:3–4

May 2 106 Miles through the Valley

Seventeen-year-old Glenn Frazier was captured on the Bataan Peninsula in April 1942 and spent three and a half years in Japanese prisoner camps. His worst ordeal was the first six days and seven nights. Glenn surrendered with seventy-eight thousand other U.S. and Philippine troops who found themselves at the mercy of an enemy who held the act of surrender in the greatest contempt. The Japanese forced their already exhausted and disease-ridden captives to march overland with practically no food or water to distant prison camps. Those who fell out along the way were killed. Thousands died along this grim trail in a tragedy that the survivors would never forget. Throughout the infamous Bataan Death March, Glenn Frazier turned to God for the strength to keep going and, because of his powerful faith, ultimately survived the brutal trial of endurance. He later described his ordeal and his salvation in a paraphrase of the 23^rd Psalm:

Yea though I walked 106 miles through the valley and in the shadow of death, I feared the evil of the imperial Japanese soldier. They had the guns and bayonets to use against me. All I had was the love and faith that God would comfort me. I knew the Lord was my shepherd. They forbid me to lay down in green pastures for six days and seven nights. I was marched by running water but was forbidden a drink. The Japanese prepared their tables before me but I was forbidden food. They maketh me march without mercy. But only God could restoreth my soul. He leadeth me step by step along the way in the face of my enemies. He promised to anoint my head with love and understanding and, even though my cup was empty, I knew it would be filled in his name’s sake. I knew that goodness and mercy would follow me. My life would be spared in his name. I knew that even though the path was long and hard, it was the path of righteousness for his name sake.¹⁶⁵

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens… Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

—Psalm 68:19–20

May 3 The Fighting Chaplain

Chaplain George Rentz was liked and admired by all aboard the USS Houston. Fifty-nine years old and a veteran of World War I, he was probably the oldest man on the ship. He was most often found walking among the men, helping where he could and giving words of encouragement. He often brought ice water and cookies to those on watch, and was even known to give out a few unauthorized drinks of harder stuff when conditions called for it.¹⁶⁶ Even when the ship was under air attack, Chaplain Rentz remained topside to be with the anti-aircraft gun crews. An officer noted that when the gunners “ saw this man of God walking fearlessly among them, they no longer felt alone. ”¹⁶⁷

On February 28, 1942, the Houston was fatally wounded during the Battle of the Java Sea and had to be abandoned. In the darkness of night Chaplain Rentz entered the water with his life jacket and hundreds of other survivors. He found a spot of relative safety with others on an overcrowded floatplane pontoon, and seeing that there wasn’t room for everyone, he said to the men around him, “ You men are young, I have lived the major part of my life and I am willing to go.”¹⁶⁸ He let go the pontoon and tried to drift away, but the men brought him back several times. Finally, he said a prayer, took off his life jacket, placed it near a sailor without one, and silently slipped below the surface. For this extraordinary act of heroism, George Rentz was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross the only Navy chaplain to be so honored during World War II.

He had followed the law of the Apostles’ Creed,
His life the price of a noble deed.
He went to his Lord with no regret
Our Fighting Chaplain we’ll never forget.¹⁶⁹

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

—Proverbs 28:1

May 4 Boot Camp

William Manchester (1922–2004) was the best-selling author of eighteen books and deemed by the Washington Post as one of the greatest popular historians of the twentieth century.¹⁷⁰ His books focused on the lives of military and political leaders such as Douglas MacArthur, Winston Churchill, and John Kennedy.

Not quite so well known is the fact that Manchester was also a Marine during World War II. He joined the Corps in 1942 while still in college. His first experience was boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, where his