ISSUE XXXIX, Summer 2007 Sinking the Rising Sun
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World War II Chronicles A Quarterly Publication of the World War II Veterans Committee ISSUE XXXIX, Summer 2007 Sinking the Rising Sun PLUS Baseball Goes to War Okinawa: The Typhoon of Steel Currahee! World War II Chronicles A Quarterly Publication of the World War II Veterans Committee WWW.WWIIVETS.COM ISSUE XXXIX, Summer 2007 Articles -In This Issue- Sinking the Rising Sun: Dog Fighting and Dive On December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japa- Bombing in World War II by 6 nese fighters and bombers launched from William E. Davis the aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, The man who helped deliver the final blow to the Hiryu, Shôkaku, and Zuikaku on their last Japanese aircraft carrier to take part in the fateful mission to attack the American attack on Pearl Harbor remembers his experience. base at Pearl Harbor, plunging the U.S. Baseball Goes to War by into World War II. Three and a half years 13 James C. Roberts later, all but the Zuikaku had been sunk. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the stars of In October of 1944, as the Japanese navy America’s pastime knew there was only one team steamed toward Leyte in an attempt to they wanted to play for: the United States thwart General MacArthur’s return, the Zuikaku—the last Japanese carrier to take military. part in the attack on Pearl Harbor—presented itself as a ripe target for one American pilot, allowing him to personally avenge the treachery of December 7. Okinawa: The Typhoon of Steel with 19 Donald Dencker, John Ensor, Leonard Lazarick, Features & Renwyn Triplett The Japanese Empire makes its last stand in the An Unstable Past by final major battle of history’s greatest war. 28 Mohammed Al-Haroun As part of the World War II Veterans Committee’s Currahee! with youth program, our summer intern examines the 24 Donald Burgett role, and legacy, of World War II in Iraq. The veteran of the 101st Airborne Division and legendary author shares his story. World War II Roundtables An excerpt from the radio documentary series 30 Get involved, locally, to preserve the history of Veterans Chronicles. World War II. Now Available From the World War II Veterans Committee The story of the last surviving interrogator of the top Nazis prior to their trials at Nuremberg... Pattern of Circles An Ambassador’s Story Sixteen million Americans served their country during World War II, each with a story to tell. Among the most extraordinary is that of John Dolibois. A native of Luxembourg, he immigrated to America as a boy, only to find himself back in Europe during World War II as an interpreter for the U.S. Army. His expertise in strategic interrogation would meet its ultimate test in late spring of 1945 when he was given the assignment of gathering information directly from the surviving Nazi leadership—among them Goering, Doenitz, Ribbentrop, Streicher, Keitel, and Jodl. For weeks, Dolibois spent his days talking to, and learning the minds of the leaders of history’s most notorious regime. Some pled ignorance of the Nazi atrocities, while others were proud of the evil they had committed. Throughout, Dolibois had access to these war criminals like that of few other Americans. John Dolibois would return to Luxembourg later in life—this time as U.S. Ambassador. His life epitomized the “American Dream,” and his insights into the world of Hitler’s henchmen make for one of the great stories of World War II. Pattern of Circles is available in paperback for $14.95 (plus $2 shipping) by calling 703-302-1012 or writing to: World War II Veterans Committee / 1100 N. Glebe Rd. Suite 910 / Arlington, VA 22201 World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2007 - 2 From the Editor Our Other Mission By Tim Holbert As a supporter of the World War II Veterans Committee, you know of in Portuguese. He took two years off from school to serve as a mission- our mission to preserve the history of the World War II generation. Part ary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Maceio, Brazil, of that mission is carried out through this publication, which is dedi- and has since returned home to start his own podcast show at cated to providing an outlet for the veterans of the war to share their own www.americansatire.org. Ian currently writes editorials for several online experiences, in their own words. journals and hopes to be a nationally syndicated radio host in the future. Both of Ian’s grandfathers served in the military and his article, “One Equally important, however, is our mission to encourage today’s young Man’s War,” will appear in a future issue. people to develop an understanding and appreciation for the bravery and sacrifices made by those who served in World War II—without which, Each of these interns came to work every day with a tremendously posi- we could not enjoy the freedoms we have today. Throughout the year, tive attitude, honored to help do their part in telling the stories of our the Committee sponsors a number of programs designed to give stu- veterans. And we were proud to have them with us. dents the opportunity to learn about, and from, those who served dur- ing World War II. Among these is our recently completed summer intern The World War II Veterans Committee’s youth programming does not program, during which we welcome several college students into our end with the summer internships. Each year, at our annual conference offices. Throughout their internship, the students research a topic related over Veterans Day weekend, hundreds of high school and college stu- to our military’s history, interview veterans personally, then write an ar- dents are brought in to meet with some of America’s most distinguished ticle to be printed in this publication. We would like to take this opportu- veterans. And at the National Memorial Day Parade (sponsored and co- nity to introduce to you our intern class for the summer of 2007: ordinated by the World War II Veterans Committee and American Veter- ans Center), over 1,000 high school students and members of youth Mohammed Musaed Al-Haroun. Mohammed was born in Washing- groups as the Young Marines and National Guard Youth ChalleNGe ton, DC, and originally from the Middle Eastern country of Kuwait. participate in marching bands, by carrying banners, and by passing out Growing up, Mohammed has lived in numerous countries, including water to spectators. The Committee also sponsors two annual scholar- Kuwait, France, and throughout the United States. Living in so many ships for students entering college and is currently developing a World different areas has influenced Mohammed’s outlook on different cul- War II Curriculum for use in high schools across the country. tures. Mohammed is an avid reader, and plans on developing his writing style and pursuing a career in journalism. He currently lives in Ottawa, Finally, I would like to bring to your attention our annual student essay Canada, where he is a senior in Ashbury College. His article, “An Unstable contest. Each year, in conjunction with our fall conference, the Commit- Past,” on the role of World War II in shaping the Middle East (specifi- tee sponsors an essay contest for high school students around the coun- cally, Iraq), appears in this issue of World War II Chronicles. try. These students are asked to research and write the story of a veteran, whether it be a famed hero like Audie Murphy, a distinguished general Emily Tibbets. Emily is in her third year at Ashland University, double like Dwight Eisenhower, or even their own grandfather. They can then majoring in Political Science and Electronic Media Production with a mi- submit the essay to us by October 15, and be eligible for cash prizes given nor in Journalism. She is a recipient of Ashland’s Presidential Scholar- to the most outstanding essays (more information is available at our ship and is a participant in the honors program. Emily is also an Ashbrook website, www.wwiivets.com). Now, we already hope you share World War Scholar in the Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs, and hopes to return to II Chronicles with a young person after you are finished reading it, so they Washington, DC after graduation to pursue a graduate degree in Media too can learn from the experiences of our World War II veterans. But if and Public Affairs or Political Science. Emily’s article on the role of media you do not do so already, encouraging a young person in your life to take in military history will appear in our next issue. part in the essay contest is one more way you can help us in our other mission, to bring the legacy of the Greatest Generation to the latest Ian McConnaughey. Originally from California, Ian is currently a senior generation. at Brigham Young University majoring in Political Science with a minor WWII World War II Chronicles, Issue XXXIX, Summer 2007. A quarterly publication of the World War II Veterans Committee, 1100 N. Glebe Rd. Suite 910, Arlington, VA 22201. Telephone: 703-302-1012. Fax: 571-480-4141. The World War II Veterans Committee is a division of the American Veterans Center. World War II Chronicles is mailed to donors to the World War II Veterans Committee who make a contribution of $50 or more per-year. Contributions help James C. Roberts - President to fund the Committee’s various speaker conferences, student programs, the Na- tional Memorial Day Parade, documentary and oral history projects, and this pub- Tim Holbert - Editor/Program Director lication.