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1. #1
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:15 pm, Chuck said:

   God bless them all.

2. #2
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:27 pm, graysonret said:

   It’s always sad when a hero passes. WW2 is fast becoming nothing more than “something in history”. The country then, was united against the enemies. Everyone seemed to have pitched in to help with rationing, war bonds, volunteering. We don’t know total war anymore. We’ve been lucky in that we haven’t had to mobilize the whole country against a common enemy. All of our ideas of war come from the MSM or Hollywood. Imagine going through lack of meat, or rubber, or fuel. Imagine the “stars” in home windows. It always saddens me when another WW2 veteran passes on. We lose something when he does. I remember my father speaking…rarely…of his service. He spoke of 2 things: the sniper shooting at him, and just missing him…and the Japanese soldier, who, smelling the food and starving, came out and got into the chow line. The cook held a knife on him with one hand, and served a plate to him with the other. These guys will always be heroes, especially the ones with the Doolittle Raid. Because of their sacrifice and bravery, the war changed. Now, the Japanese realized that Midway would have to be taken, and we know what happened then. I salute our WW2 veterans…all of them…and, when they pass, pause for a moment and wish them well… on their next mission.

3. #3
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:32 pm, letget said:

   RIP to an American hero. America has lost another of our brave military.
   L

4. #4
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:35 pm, John Ansell said:

   May God bless him and his family.

5. #5
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pm, ChePibe said:

   Are men of this caliber still made? Was the mold broken?

   I cannot help but think of my own grandfather as I read this. He wasn’t a pilot or crew member on bombers - just a mechanic in charge of repairing combat damage and stocking aircraft with ammunition. He volunteered for combat a million times over, but was too colorblind and too gifted with a socket wrench to be accepted. Of course, that didn’t stop him from sneaking on more than a few missions over Germany and seeing how the .50 cals he fixed on the ground worked in the air.

   I’m lucky to still have him with me. Perhaps it is simply the eyes of my youthful inexperience, but I just don’t see many men like him - or like Mr. DeShazer - about these days.

   Godspeed, sir. With the gratitude of millions of your countrymen.

6. #6
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm, Lan Astaslem said:

   God bless DeShazer, his family, and all of the remaining Doolittle Raiders. We owe them — and those like them — our undying gratitude. We are forever in their debt.

7. #7
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm, walterc said:

   ChePibe said:

   Are men of this caliber still made? Was the mold broken?

   We still have men like this serving in our military, it’s just that in addition to fighting the enemy, they are fighting the media, Congress and incompetant commanders that won’t let them fight like our troops fought WWII. And that was the last time we won a war.

8. #8
   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pm, Mookie said:

   On March 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pm, ChePibe said:

   Are men of this caliber still made? Was the mold broken?

   I think there are. I think there are men and women of this caliber right now in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hopefully it won’t take us as long to realize the true magnitude of their heroism as it did with the Greatest Generation.

9. #9
   On March 18th, 2008 at 6:12 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

   The gentlemen on the Doolittle Raid struck what was to be the first of many blows against the Japapnese. Their courage, honor, and bravery helped lift a country out of dispair and make it realize it could win the war.
   I salute all of them.
   I also salute our current military. Their courage, honor, and bravery should be an inspiration to the country.
   Thank you all–past and present.

10. #10
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:19 pm, jeffshultz said:

    I was a bit stunned to see that he lived in Salem, OR - I’ve even been to Lancaster Village to pick up another resident there to take to church.

    And before today I had no idea I had such a man living so near me.

11. #11
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm, Tantor said:

    The reason Doolittle launched early was that Japanese picket boats spotted the fleet and had likely radioed a report to the home islands. They had to launch one at a time in rough seas, instead of launching and forming up to bomb as a group. One sailor lost his arm when he walked into a prop. One B-25 nearly ditched on take off when the pilot forgot to set his flaps. Launching so far out, they had only a whisker of a chance of making China.

    Sgt. Jacob DeShazer was one of the unlucky eight crewman captured by the Japanese and subsequently sentenced to death in a mock trial. Hirohito spared DeShazer and four others, having the remaining three shot.

    The rest of the Doolittle crews, most of whom survived their sorties, made it home to America, helped by the Chinese. In retaliation, the Japanese launched the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign, which massacred a quarter million Chinese. This was one of many campaigns that eventually killed twenty to thirty-five million Chinese.

    You can read all about the raid in “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo,” written by Ted Lawson, pilot of the seventh B-25 launched on the raid. His leg got beat up crashing in China and was crudely amputated there. Spencer Tracy plays Doolittle in the movie of the same name.

    Some artifacts from the raid are on display at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, along with a B-25 painted up like Lawson’s bomber, “The Ruptured Duck.” The excellent National Museum of the Pacific War in tiny Fredericksburg, Texas (home of Admirial Nimitz) also has artifacts from the raid and a B-25 displayed, ready to launch from the deck of an aircraft carrier.

12. #12
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    He had deep faith, and during his time as a prisoner of war he was convinced that he needed to forgive his enemy. After that, he spent his life spreading the message of love and forgiveness.

    Note to Obama when picking a pastor…

13. #13
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:31 pm, zorro said:

    Jacob DeShazer is now with the General. May God the Father Almighty rest his Soul and comfort his family.

    Michelle, that Vent is one of my all time favorites. As I mentioned a few times over the years, I had the honor of meeting Jimmy Doolittle when he visited Ft. Walton years ago. His autographed autobiography “I Could Never Be So Lucky Again” is one of my most prized possessions. Those heroes stand as giants among men. At the time of the raid, James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle was the fastest man on Earth. He was also the first pilot to fly on instruments. And on top of all that, he was good man through and through.

    Thirty Seconds over Tokyo is the movie, I recommend it to all.

14. #14
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:49 pm, Armigerous said:

    “Lord guard and guide the men who fly,
    Through the great spaces of the sky,
    Be with them traversing the air,
    In darkening storms and sunshine fair.
    Aloft in solitudes of space,
    Protect them with thy saving grace,
    Oh,God protect the men who fly,
    Through all great spaces of the sky.”

15. #15
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:52 pm, Regulus said:

    There’ll always be a special place in my heart for the Doolittle Raiders and the ship they took off from, the USS Hornet, CV-8.

    I think what distinguishes me from my moonbat sister was that I grew up reading and internalizing stories of heroes - in particular, the men who won WWII, and among them the crews of those 16 B-25s. I was amazed at their courage and their dedication, even when, as it was in April 1942, the situation seemed grim indeed.

    At an early and impressionable age those men gave me a benchmark test of courage and manhood, against which to ask myself, “Could I do the same things they did?” I count myself as fortunate that, in part because of what they did, I never had to answer that question outside the hypothetical.

    If the Doolittle Raiders taught me something of what bravery means, the Hornet - perhaps the hardest dying ship of the war when she went down at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942 - was an emotionally moving example of what “toughness” is.

    Most of my childhood heroes are gone now; but it’s still comforting, when I see our professional military of today and its remarkable and often awe-inspiring service for this country, that their legacy is alive and well.

16. #16
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:55 pm, Armigerous said:

    Back years ago when I was a Cadet at the USAF Academy,we were all hyped up for the the upcoming football game against Navy…that week,some !st Class Cadets had even managed to fly clandestinely to Annapolis,con their way onto the campus and steal the Navy’s mascot goat Bill VII….at Saturday lunch before the game,the Cadet Wing Commander called the entire Wing to attention in Mitchell Hall and announced ‘Gentlemen,eating on the staff tower as a guest of the Cadet wing today is General Jimmy Doolittle.”…sweet Jesus…we all yelled and whooped and applauded with tears running down our faces for over 10 minutes….that afternoon be beat Navy 24-10 and each Cadet won a USNA bathrobe from the Midshipmen in the bargain….I still have that bathrobe and one of the finest memories of my life as a result of that visit by General Doolittle

17. #17
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:07 pm, fred5676 said:

    I taught 9th grade science for one year after 9/11. I used several aviation videos to show the relationship of science and technology with history.

    When the new “Pearl Harbor” movie came out, I showed them the original “Thirty Seconds over Tokyo” for the real story.

    That gallant mission forced the Japanese to expend LOTS of resources defending their home islands for the next 3 years, diverting them from the American front lines, and also gave our home front a great morale boost at a very critical time. Just a few months later, the Battle of Midway started the long steady decline of the Japanese empire.

    Thanks, Jimmy.

18. #18
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:07 pm, NeoConNews said:

    Rest in Peace.

19. #19
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:16 pm, Redog70 said:

    He served his country, but more importantly he served his Lord. He had deep faith, and during his time as a prisoner of war he was convinced that he needed to forgive his enemy.

    Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
    John 1:47

20. #20
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:29 pm, ChePibe said:

    Waltrec and Mookie:

    I don’t mean to disparage the present military at all. I just look at the Doolittle raid, and can’t help but stand in awe of it. The bravery of such a daring, nigh desperate attack is amazing - and has rarely been emulated before or since.

21. #21
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:37 pm, Christian Soldier said:

    #5 Che Pibe-
    The mold has not been broken!

    Check out Michell’s recent post of the actions of a Marine named Modisette. He risked jail time in defense of his sworn oath. I love his statement; “There’s liberty and then there’s ridiculous.”

    Every day there are those who uphold the Constitiution both on the battle field and here at home via activism to honor those “over there”.

    OK - I have to state it:
    DUTY HONOR COUNTRY - and hats off to the other academies - too. (-:

22. #22
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:41 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    God bless all who have served and all who will.

23. #23
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:41 pm, zyzzyg said:

    I wonder if DeShazer batted an eye doing what he did? I doubt it, we were at war and there was no time for niceties.

    He did what was asked of him and he should be applauded for that.

24. #24
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:56 pm, Mooseman said:

    Fair Winds and Following Seas, Mr. DeShazer

25. #25
    On March 18th, 2008 at 8:17 pm, arkansasmike said:

    I am truely grateful for heroes like this.

    Are men of this caliber still made?

    Yes! and some women of this caliber, too! Check out Michael Yon’s recent post about the “Guitar Heroes.”

26. #26
    On March 18th, 2008 at 8:28 pm, otcconan said:

    They meet every year, here in San Antonio. Great men, every one.

27. #27
    On March 18th, 2008 at 8:32 pm, Boomer said:

    Such a sad day we lose another piece of living history from the early days of Air Force. I have been very privileged and honored that several veterans that flew aircraft during WWII shared their experiences with me only because I was a fellow aviator. One of my greatest honors was to receive my Basic Aircrew Wings as a qualified KC-135A Boom Operator from Medal of Honor winner Maynard “Snuffy” Smith who displayed great courage on his 1st and only combat mission in a B-17. Sadly he has passed on too. The Doolittle Raiders legacy does live on with today’s Air Force and their legacy of self sacrifice is well remembered by those of us who flew after them or still fly today.

28. #28
    On March 18th, 2008 at 8:43 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    Great Americans all. GODspeed!

    Take their guns? I don’t think so. Burn their flag? Over their dead bodies.

29. #29
    On March 18th, 2008 at 8:50 pm, Christian Soldier said:

    I clicked R.I.P. at the top of this post—Mr. DeShazer is (was) the opposite of B.H.Obama’s pastor-Rev. Wright!

    What an inspiration Mr. and Mrs. DeShazer are to me.
    Sometimes I get so caught up in the fray that I lose sight of WHO’s in control.

30. #30
    On March 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm, BrianNY said:

    Jacob DeShazer of Salem took part in World War II’s legendary Doolittle Raid, endured more than three years as a Japanese prisoner of war and later teamed up with his wife, Florence, to serve as a Methodist missionary in Japan for nearly 30 years.

    DeShazer was one of the prisoners of war, held for 40 months — 34 of those in solitary confinement. He studied the Bible during his confinement and later returned to Japan as a missionary, where he worked for 30 years.

    Unbelievably inspiring. What a crime that we never hear about our Jacob DeShazer’s until they are gone.

    “America’s chickens coming home to roost,” my eye.

31. #31
    On March 18th, 2008 at 11:55 pm, Branden-in-escalon said:

    I’m sure that when he got to heaven, God told him, “well done, my faithful servant.”

    These are the kind of men we need to hold up as true heroes to our children today.

    As someone who did not serve in the military, you can bet I am grateful every single day for men like that who sacrificed so the rest of us can live free. Thank you, sir.

32. #32
    On March 19th, 2008 at 12:40 am, Defector01 said:

    American chickens’ coming home to roost?

    No

    An American eagle takes his well earned rest

    RIP, god bless

33. #33
    On March 19th, 2008 at 1:52 am, Ombre Rose said:

    All my prayers and deepest thanks to the family of this Doolittle man, God bless you all, and the remaining 11 and their families, too.

    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm, Tantor said:

    Thanks for recapping all this information. I have “30 Seconds over Tokyo” on tape, and a couple of other movies of related events, too, but I haven’t had the chance to read the book.

    Three of my uncles were in the Pacific, several others in the war, but not in that region.

    One of them worked on the middle, bottom boiler room of the Missouri after being transferred off the Arizona shortly before it was sunk. He was still there when the Treaty with Japan was signed, as they stood by. We lost him in Dec.’07.
    One was at Bataan, but not at the very end, thank goodness, and we lost him about 15 years ago. One other we lost about 25 years ago, his ship was hit by 3 kamakazi planes and half the crew was lost.

    One friend I still have was one of the first troops to Dachau - they got there before the gates were opened, but 6 miles into the wind after they could smell it. They were infantry. walking.

    My nephew got back from Iraq a few years ago where one of the last things he did was get to help with their first free election.

    One of the most interesting things I have ever done with the computer is to investigate the military service of hundreds of WW2 veterans and USO who were Hollywood actors and actresses.
    People like James Stewart, David Niven, Lee Marvin, Eddie Albert, Tyrone Powers, Clark Gable, Martha Raye, and of course, Audie Murphy, but hundreds of others, too.

    America has a lot of fine fine folks - from a good background of very fine people.

    Would to God that half this nation had any concept of how to appreciate them.

    I hope that I am wrong, but I expect events in the next years to again test the mettle of our young folks.
    Dear God have mercy upon them all.

34. #34
    On March 19th, 2008 at 2:14 am, Ombre Rose said:

    http://imdb.com/title/tt0037197/

    The Purple Heart (1944)
    Dana Andrews as Capt. Harvey Ross
    Richard Conte as Lt. Angelo Canelli
    Farley Granger as Sgt. Howard Clinton
    Kevin O’Shea as Sgt. Skvoznik
    Don ‘Red’ Barry as Lt. Peter Vincent (as Donald Barry)

    The crew of a downed bomber after a run over Tokyo early in the war is captured and put on trial with an international press corp including American journalists watching.
    All the press corp was anti-war peace activists.
    I understand it was based on a true story and that the men were all executed soon after the end of the joke trial.

    I also recommend “Inn of the 6th Happiness” with Ingrid Bergman, based on the life of Gladys Aylward, British upstairs maid-turned-missionary, and her brave rescue of 100 Chinese children from the Japanese.
    It was romanticized for Ingrid, but her actions as a missionary how she got there, and the feat she performed to save the children seems to be accurate.
    There is still a school in China that she started, and worked in as long as she was physically able.

35. #35
    On March 19th, 2008 at 5:37 am, graysonret said:

    At Heaven’s Gate: “Another marine reporting, Sir. I’ve served my time in hell.”

36. #36
    On March 19th, 2008 at 8:08 am, Barry F. said:

    R.I.P., Jacob DeShazer.

    Regrettably, men of his character appear to be a dying breed in our culture.

37. #37
    On March 19th, 2008 at 9:07 am, Grey Fox said:

    R.I.P.

38. #38
    On March 19th, 2008 at 10:30 am, harbormaster said:

    “30 Seconds Over Tokyo” is one of the first books I remember reading. I guess it sparked my interest in the military and aviation. (Two interests I was not able to pursue).
    My deepest thanks for a lifetime of service to my country, my God, and my Lord Jesus Christ.

39. #39
    On March 19th, 2008 at 10:30 am, tre said:

    during his time as a prisoner of war he was convinced that he needed to forgive his enemy. After that, he spent his life spreading the message of love and forgiveness.

    I wish I could forgive people that way, like God forgave me.
    May he rest in peace. I look forward to meeting you someday.

40. #40
    On March 19th, 2008 at 11:11 am, Tagwife said:

    So passes another hero when we need them do badly these days.

41. #41
    On March 19th, 2008 at 11:37 am, emjem24 said:

    My heart also goes out Mr. DeShazer and his family today. He lead an exemplary life and served his country with honor and selfless dedication. My husband was remarking on his passing to me this morning with much sadness. We have an aviation print with Mr. DeShazer’s signature as well as the 30 Seconds Over Tokyo movie (one of my husband’s favorites).

    If this hasn’t already been mentioned, the USAF Academy holds the Doolittle Raider’s drinking cups somewhere on their campus as a testiment to their courage. When one of them passes on, the member’s drinking cup is turned upside down to note their passing.

    Here’s to you, Mr. DeShazer. Like so many of our Greatest Generation (including my father-in-law and uncle-in-law who were both bombadiers), you sacrificed and gave so much of yourself which made it possible for our country to prosper. Thank you for your service. You’ll not be forgotten in my household or in my heart.

42. #42
    On March 19th, 2008 at 1:28 pm, shooter said:

    His life was centered around faith, family and country, she said.

    This man is of greatness as so many of the “greatest generation” are/were.
    The common thread?
    God , Family, Country.

    this too needs to be repeated:

    He had a sense of honor and duty. He served his country, but more importantly he served his Lord. He had deep faith, and during his time as a prisoner of war he was convinced that he needed to forgive his enemy. After that, he spent his life spreading the message of love and forgiveness.

    After the events of the last few days, if anyone reading this does NOT have this Faith, FIND IT.
    If your pastor does not afford this opportunity to Live with the Lord, FIND ONE WHO DOES. Find someone who will help you.
    God Bless Jacob DeShazer of Salem, his family, and his circle of friends.
    Sounds like a great life lived by a very good man.

43. #43
    On March 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm, jamesgreenidge said:

    Sadly, we will see more mentions of Albany prostitutes and Lindsay Lohan than these true heroes of war and peace in the “news”. What’s worst, schools aren’t even mentioning them in place of “saving” turtles and whales, but even more sobering to me is just how deep this history ignorance goes (despite the H Channel). Most NYC high school students (don’t even talk about junior high!) think West Point is in “Washington somewhere” and even worst — don’t even know what it is beyond a place!

    And Teachers Unions balk about their wages!

    James Greenidge
    Queens NY

44. #44
    On March 19th, 2008 at 4:46 pm, Tantor said:

    Ombre Rose: “Three of my uncles were in the Pacific, several others in the war, but not in that region. …

    One was at Bataan, but not at the very end, thank goodness, and we lost him about 15 years ago. One other we lost about 25 years ago, his ship was hit by 3 kamakazi planes and half the crew was lost.”

    One of the eeriest exhibits at the Nimitz Museum/Museum of the Pacific War is a cocked 45 pistol, thick with orange rust, which was found on the Bataan peninsula.

    They also have on display many ragged pieces of shattered kamikaze aircraft.

45. #45
    On March 19th, 2008 at 8:11 pm, KCK said:

    Is there ever a guy or gal who wears our uniform who doesn’t picture themselves in the image of the WW II G.I.?

    The standard!

46. #46
    On March 20th, 2008 at 7:26 pm, Azygos said:

    Are men of this caliber still made?

    Yes they are. I had the honor of having dinner a couple months ago with a West Point grad who had just come back from 15 months in Iraq. At one point part of his platoon was knocked down by a 4000 lb dump truck bomb and he took a piece of metal through his thigh. So what is he doing now? Getting Special Forces training and itching to get back into the fight.

    I also had the honor of taking care of Vets at the State VA Nursing home. One can hear some amazing tales in that place. Stories that are dwindling by the day.