For Hiroo Onada WWII Ended In 1974
“You are absolutely forbidden to die by your own hand. It may take 3 years, it may take 5, but whatever happens, we’ll come back for you. Until then, so long as you have one soldier, you 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.”
— Final order given by division commander of Hiroo Onada
Two men met in the jungles of the Philippines, a commanding officer and a subordinate. The commanding officer gave the subordinate orders that his military service was over. The subordinate relinquished his weapons and his war was over.
This may have been a scene that played out over and over again at the end of World War II. However, this particular scene was much different — sort of other worldly. For all of the soldiers that fought in this war, the official end date was September 2, 1945. The surrender mentioned above took place on March 9, 1974.
The man who surrendered was Hiroo Onada. He was dumped off towards the end of the war on a small island in the Philippines called Lubang. He, along with the soldiers under his command, were ordered to hamper efforts of the Allied invaders. Eventually their subversion and efforts would lead the way for the return of the Japanese army.
