Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

—2 Peter 1:3

September 18 When the Roll Is Called

Jake DeShazer was laid to rest in March 2008. The World War II Doolittle Raider and Christian evangelist received full military honors. Hundreds of people honored the man who had suffered three years as a prisoner of war in Japan and then returned after the war to start twenty-three churches and bring many thousands of Japanese citizens to Jesus Christ. One of his children said, “He wouldn’t want this service to be about his accomplishments. He’d want Jesus to get all of the credit.”³⁸⁵

During the funeral there was a rifle salute, and a lone bugler blew taps. A B-1 bomber flew over from the modern equivalent of Jake’s old squadron, the 34^th. The casket flag was folded and presented to his wife. The sergeant in charge of the honor guard said, “Jake’s a hero. This is why we do military honors, to honor people like Jake. He’s history.”³⁸⁶ The service itself was simple. The pastor said a few words and prayed. Then everyone sang a hymn that was Jake’s favorite, and one dear to the heart of many airmen, “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”:

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.³⁸⁷

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life.

—Revelation 20:12

September 19 Mascot

The USS Samuel B. Roberts was ready for combat. Newly constructed, outfitted, and manned by an eager crew, she was ready to leave Norfolk for the Pacific theater. She needed just one more crew member. After an evening ashore involving more than a small amount of drinking, several enlisted men smuggled a little black dog back aboard. It wasn’t long before Capt. Bob Copeland found out about this unauthorized stowaway on his ship.

As the sailors waited nervously to find out what was going to happen, Copeland called for the ship’s doctor and chief yeoman. He informed them that they had a new crew member that needed a complete physical exam and official service record. After these formalities, the little mutt was named “Sammy,” adopted as the ship’s mascot, and given the rank of seaman 2^nd class. He quickly became a valuable part of the ship’s company. Someone made him a little kapok life vest. An article appeared in the ship’s newsletter that Sammy had a girlfriend in Tokyo and had selected the Roberts as the fastest way to cross the Pacific.

For a young man of thirty-three years, Bob Copeland was a uniquely mature and talented leader. He never hesitated to exert his authority as captain of his ship, but he did so in a way that gained the respect of the men. He frequently stopped to talk with them and to ask about their families and girlfriends. Gestures of this kind, including the adoption of Sammy as mascot, showed his human side to the crew. This human touch also introduced a few warm feelings into an otherwise cold sea-going life. Bob Copeland knew the importance of his mission. He also knew that he would not be able to accomplish that mission without an effective, close-knit team. By his actions, he demonstrated a great Christian truth, that bonds of affection between men are even more powerful than the bonds of authority.³⁸⁸

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

—John 1:17

September 20 Overwhelming Odds

“A large Japanese fleet has been contacted. They are fifteen miles away and headed in our direction. They are believed to have four battleships, eight cruisers, and a number of destroyers. This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.”³⁸⁹

Bob Copeland, captain of the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts, spoke these words to his crew and turned his little ship to face a menacing enemy fleet. The Roberts was part of a destroyer screen protecting six escort aircraft carriers off the coast of Leyte in October 1944. The Japanese fleet had come undetected through the San Bernardino Strait the night before and now announced its presence with salvos of 3,200-pound projectiles fired from its18-inch guns.

Outmatched in size, firepower, and speed, the Roberts and three other destroyers nearest the enemy fleet launched a desperate attack. They laid a smokescreen to give some cover to the carriers and opened up with their 5-inch guns, which could do little more than annoy the massive Japanese warships. Their only effective weapons were torpedoes, which had to be fired at close range. The Roberts steamed ahead through a mounting hail of naval gunfire to within four thousand yards of the enemy battle line to launch her torpedoes and score a hit on an enemy cruiser. The little warship in return suffered devastating and fatal damage from multiple shell strikes. Within a few hours the Roberts went down stern first