Jacob DeShazer
Encyclopedia
Jacob Daniel DeShazer (15 November 1912 – 15 March 2008) participated in the Doolittle Raid
as a staff sergeant and later became a missionary
in Japan.
, Oregon and graduated from Madras High School
in Madras, Oregon
in 1931. He enlisted in the United States Army
in 1940, and rose to the rank of sergeant in 1941. On 7 December 1941, while on KP duty at a U.S. Army base in Oregon, DeShazer heard news of the attack on Pearl Harbor
over the radio. He became enraged, shouting: "The Japs are going to have to pay for this!"
. The 24 crews selected from the 17th BG received intensive training at Eglin Field, Florida, for three weeks beginning 1 March 1942. The crews undertook practice carrier deck takeoffs along with extensive flying exercises involving low-level and night flying, low altitude bombing and over water navigation. Their mission would be to fly modified B-25 Mitchell
bombers launched from an aircraft carrier to attack Japan.
The unit formed to carry out the raid on Japan soon acquired the name, "Doolittle's Raiders", after their famous commander, Lieutenant Colonel
Jimmy Doolittle
. S.Sgt. DeShazer was the bombardier of B-25 #16, the "Bat (Out of Hell)", commanded by Lt. William G. Farrow, the last of the 16 B-25s to launch from the USS Hornet
on the bombing run over Tokyo. The raid was a success, but part of the plan included ditching the airplanes in China after using all their fuel to reach Japan. The carrier-launched bombers couldn't return to their carrier; it was a one-way trip.
Dealing with the day of Infamy, Cox News, 7 December 2000
Beyond Pearl Harbour, ChristianHistory.net, 8 August 2008 As the war came to an end, on 20 August 1945, DeShazer and the others in the camp at Beijing (Peiping), China were finally released when American soldiers parachuted into the camp.
On his return to the United States, Staff Sgt. DeShazer was awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross
and the Purple Heart
for his part in the Doolittle Raid
.
, a Christian college, and began studying to be a missionary, eventually to return to Japan with his wife, Florence, in 1948.
DeShazer, the Doolittle Raider who bombed Nagoya, met Captain Mitsuo Fuchida
, who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, becoming close friends. Fuchida became a Christian in 1950 after reading a tract written about DeShazer titled, I Was a Prisoner of Japan, and spent the rest of his life as a missionary in Asia and the United States. On occasion, DeShazer and Fuchida preached together as Christian missionaries in Japan. In 1959, DeShazer moved to Nagoya to establish a Christian church in the city he had bombed.
On 15 April 2008, the Oregon War Veterans Association(OWVA) nominated Jacob D. "Jake" DeShazer for the Presidential Medal of Freedom
and the Congressional Gold Medal noting his extraordinary impact on America as a war hero and for his heroic service to the people of Japan, where he is well known as a hero of peace and reconciliation. On 21 April 2008, the White House
confirmed the nomination in a letter to OWVA's executive director, Greg Warnock. The White House's Deputy Director for Awards said that the DeShazer nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the nation's most prestigious civilian award, and second only to the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor
would be given "every consideration," by the advisory staff, who will provide the President with the recommendation. The medals are usually awarded on or near 4 July annually. About 400 Presidential Medals of Freedom have been awarded since its inception in 1945.
Warnock nominated Rev. DeShazer for the Congressional Gold Medal through Congresswoman Darlene Hooley's (OR CD5) office in Salem, Oregon. In the official nomination letters Warnock wrote, “At this time in our history, we feel it is ideal to honor a man who was a genuine war hero, who after his sacrificial service put on gloves of peace, and touched the entire world with grace and humility.”
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
as a staff sergeant and later became a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in Japan.
Early years
DeShazer was born on 15 November 1912 in West StaytonWest Stayton, Oregon
West Stayton is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Oregon, United States. It is located four miles west of Stayton, and five miles south of Aumsville.The ZIP Code is 97325. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Oregon and graduated from Madras High School
Madras High School
-Academics:In 2008, 71% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 231 students, 165 graduated, 36 dropped out, 3 received a modified diploma, and 27 are still in high school....
in Madras, Oregon
Madras, Oregon
Madras is a city in Jefferson County, Oregon, United States. Originally called The Basin after the circular valley the city is located in, it is unclear as to whether Madras was named in 1903 for the cotton fabric called "Madras" that originated in the Madras area in India, or from the city of...
in 1931. He enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1940, and rose to the rank of sergeant in 1941. On 7 December 1941, while on KP duty at a U.S. Army base in Oregon, DeShazer heard news of the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
over the radio. He became enraged, shouting: "The Japs are going to have to pay for this!"
Doolittle Raid
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Staff Sergeant DeShazer, along with other members of the 17th Bomb Group, volunteered to join a special unit that was formed to attack JapanDoolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
. The 24 crews selected from the 17th BG received intensive training at Eglin Field, Florida, for three weeks beginning 1 March 1942. The crews undertook practice carrier deck takeoffs along with extensive flying exercises involving low-level and night flying, low altitude bombing and over water navigation. Their mission would be to fly modified B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
bombers launched from an aircraft carrier to attack Japan.
The unit formed to carry out the raid on Japan soon acquired the name, "Doolittle's Raiders", after their famous commander, Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
Jimmy Doolittle
Jimmy Doolittle
General James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle, USAF was an American aviation pioneer. Doolittle served as a brigadier general, major general and lieutenant general in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War...
. S.Sgt. DeShazer was the bombardier of B-25 #16, the "Bat (Out of Hell)", commanded by Lt. William G. Farrow, the last of the 16 B-25s to launch from the USS Hornet
USS Hornet (CV-8)
USS Hornet CV-8, the seventh ship to carry the name Hornet, was a of the United States Navy. During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and participated in the Battle of Midway and the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai Raid...
on the bombing run over Tokyo. The raid was a success, but part of the plan included ditching the airplanes in China after using all their fuel to reach Japan. The carrier-launched bombers couldn't return to their carrier; it was a one-way trip.
Japanese prisoner of war
After bombing Nagoya in Japan, the "Bat" attempted to reach safe haven in China. DeShazer and the rest of the B-25 crew were forced to parachute into enemy territory over Ningpo, China when their B-25 ran out of fuel. DeShazer was injured in his fall into a cemetery and along with the rest of his crew, he was captured the very next day by the Japanese. During his captivity, DeShazer was sent to Tokyo with the survivors of another Doolittle crew, and was held in a series of P.O.W. camps both in Japan and China for 40 months – 34 of them in solitary confinement. He was severely beaten and malnourished while three of the crew were executed by a firing squad, and another died of slow starvation. DeShazer's sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by Emperor Hirohito.Dealing with the day of Infamy, Cox News, 7 December 2000
Beyond Pearl Harbour, ChristianHistory.net, 8 August 2008 As the war came to an end, on 20 August 1945, DeShazer and the others in the camp at Beijing (Peiping), China were finally released when American soldiers parachuted into the camp.
On his return to the United States, Staff Sgt. DeShazer was awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
for his part in the Doolittle Raid
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
.
Missionary in Japan
During his captivity, DeShazer persuaded one of his guards to loan him a copy of the Bible. Although he only had possession of the Bible for three weeks, he saw its messages as the reason for his survival and resolved to become a devout Christian. His conversion included learning a few words of Japanese and treating his captors with respect, which resulted in the guards reacting in a similar fashion. After his release, DeShazer entered Seattle Pacific CollegeSeattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions, located on the north slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington, USA. It was founded in 1891 by the Oregon and Washington Conference of the Free Methodist Church as the Seattle Seminary...
, a Christian college, and began studying to be a missionary, eventually to return to Japan with his wife, Florence, in 1948.
DeShazer, the Doolittle Raider who bombed Nagoya, met Captain Mitsuo Fuchida
Mitsuo Fuchida
was a Japanese Captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service and a bomber pilot in the Imperial Japanese Navy before and during World War II. He is perhaps best known for leading the first air wave attacks on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941...
, who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, becoming close friends. Fuchida became a Christian in 1950 after reading a tract written about DeShazer titled, I Was a Prisoner of Japan, and spent the rest of his life as a missionary in Asia and the United States. On occasion, DeShazer and Fuchida preached together as Christian missionaries in Japan. In 1959, DeShazer moved to Nagoya to establish a Christian church in the city he had bombed.
Legacy
DeShazer retired after 30 years of missionary service in Japan and went back to his home town in Salem, Oregon where he spent the last years of his life in an assisted living home with his wife, Florence. On 15 March 2008, DeShazer died in his sleep at the age of 95, leaving his wife and five children: Paul, John, Mark, Carol Aiko and Ruth.On 15 April 2008, the Oregon War Veterans Association(OWVA) nominated Jacob D. "Jake" DeShazer for the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
and the Congressional Gold Medal noting his extraordinary impact on America as a war hero and for his heroic service to the people of Japan, where he is well known as a hero of peace and reconciliation. On 21 April 2008, the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
confirmed the nomination in a letter to OWVA's executive director, Greg Warnock. The White House's Deputy Director for Awards said that the DeShazer nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the nation's most prestigious civilian award, and second only to the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
would be given "every consideration," by the advisory staff, who will provide the President with the recommendation. The medals are usually awarded on or near 4 July annually. About 400 Presidential Medals of Freedom have been awarded since its inception in 1945.
Warnock nominated Rev. DeShazer for the Congressional Gold Medal through Congresswoman Darlene Hooley's (OR CD5) office in Salem, Oregon. In the official nomination letters Warnock wrote, “At this time in our history, we feel it is ideal to honor a man who was a genuine war hero, who after his sacrificial service put on gloves of peace, and touched the entire world with grace and humility.”
External links
- Jacob Daniel DeShazer, 6584514, Staff Sergeant Bombardier Crew 16
- Jacob DeShazer: Member of the Doolittle Raid and a Prisoner of Japan
- From Bombs to Something More Powerful
- Congressional Gold Medal
- Oregon War Veterans Association
- DeShazer Memorabilia and Anecdotes
- DeShazer's Mother
- Doolittle Tokyo Raiders