Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda
In late winter of 1944, World War II was raging through the Pacific. One newly commissioned Japanese officer was stationed on Lubang Island in the Philippines with orders that he "was absolutely forbidden to die by [his] own hand. It may take three years, it may take five, but whatever happens, we'll [the Japanese army] come back for you. Until then, so long as you have one soldier, you are to continue to lead him. You may have to live on coconuts. If that's the case, live on coconuts! Under no circumstances are you to give up your life voluntarily" (Onoda 44).
Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda took these orders to heart and continued to wage guerilla warfare long after his nation's defeat. Then, after almost thirty years on the island, Lieutenant Onoda received orders from his commanding officer to surrender. Japan and the rest of the world received him as a hero, the best example of true loyalty, integrity and love of country.
This exhibit was researched and designed by Jennifer Bernet.
This exhibit and museum were created during an introductory seminar on the Asia-Pacific War, taught at Wake Forest University during the spring semester 2002. The material and opinions are those of the author and do not represent the views of the University or the Department of History.