Dr. Joseph DuBose, a Baptist preacher, fought in World War II as a navigator. Like so many brave men of his generation he casually mentions that his plane went down. Then he moves on to other topics. He is quite eager to share his memories of being in the air the day the Japanese surrender delegation flew to Ie Shima. In 1945, he was serving with the 5th Air Force from the 375th Troup Carrier and confirms that paratroopers were to be ready as part of Operation Olympic, the planned invasion of Japan. But the invasion was never ordered because on August 10, 1945, the Japanese agreed to accept the Potsdam Declaration "with the understanding that the said declaration does not comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as Sovereign Ruler."
On the day that the Japanese delegation was rendevousing with American fighter planes who were to escort them to Ie Shima, Joe DuBose was in the air and rerouted. Presumably many other planes received similar changes in orders that day as the Allies sought to protect those who were empowered to assist them in planning the surrender and occupation of Japan.
On Veteran's Day 1999, Dr. BuBose was one of the speakers at a Florida school in the area where he currently lives. The veterans speaking that day had fought in World War II, Vietnam and other wars. A Japanese substitute teacher was present listening to the veterans speak to the students. After the veterans answered questions from the students, she asked if she could ask them a question about World War II. They waited curiously to hear what she wanted to know. Dr. DuBose says she first told them, "We (the Japanese) did not know we were losing the war 'til the very end." And then she asked, "Did you get true information from your leaders?"
After thinking about what the Japanese substitute teacher asked, Dr. DuBose felt that this belief that they were winning the war explained, at least in part, why the Japanese fought so hard.
Bibliography:
DuBose, Joseph, Dr. Telephone interview. December 18, 1999.
