Mitsuo Fuchida: The Enemy Whose Attack Provoked America Part II

My Complete Reversal
One day I was walking through the noisy train station when an American missionary handed me a pamphlet called "I Was a Prisoner of Japan." In it was the story of Jake DeShazer, an American who had participated in a surprise raid on Tokyo. Full of revenge for Pearl Harbor, Jake wanted to bomb my country to pieces. He was captured in battle and spent the rest of the war as Japan's prisoner. In our harsh prison, Jake was brutally mistreated and suffered with dysentery, a horrible disease. His hatred toward everything Japanese boiled up inside him.

Smoke rises from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a result of Fuchida's deadly attack.

As the train rattled along, I became engrossed in Jake's story. The American was now a missionary in Japan sharing the love of Jesus with those who had imprisoned him. How had he gone from hating Japan to serving its people with love? I learned that after two years in captivity, DeShazer had been given a Bible and came to realize that Jesus Christ was his only hope. To me, Jesus was a Western god, but because of Jake's story, I wanted to know more about Jesus.

A few days later at the train station, a Japanese man was handing out books. I couldn't believe it when he cried, "Get your Bible-- food for the soul!" I took one, and as I read, I was struck by Jesus' words in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus had died so I could be forgiven! On that day in 1950 I became a new person. I became a Christian. My friend at the train station urged me to share my story at a faith rally. I was afraid at first, but I did it. Five hundred Japanese came to know Jesus that day. I continued to share my faith and lead others to Christ, yet deep inside, I sensed God calling me to take another step toward peace.

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Enemy Warriors Embrace
I stood at the door trembling with anticipation. Jake DeShazer had been sharing the love of Jesus with the Japanese for several years now, but would he be able to forgive the one who had led the charge on Pearl Harbor? It was partly my fault that Jake had spent years as Japan's prisoner. Finally, I reached up and knocked on the door.

"Yes?" asked a kind-looking man.

"I have desired to meet you, Mr. DeShazer. My name is Mitsuo Fuchida."

It took only a moment for him to recognize my name, and to my relief, a smile spread across his face. "Come in, come in." Through the love of Jesus, we former enemies embraced as brothers in Christ's love. God had brought peace not only to a war-weary world, but to the souls of two mortal enemies who had fought in it.

I traveled all over the Orient telling others about Jesus and leading many to faith. Still, when I was invited to share my story in America, I wondered how they would react to the one who had led the attack years before. To my surprise, I was welcomed with warmth. I told them, "I would give anything to retract my actions at Pearl Harbor, but that is impossible. Instead, I will work at striking the death-blow to the giant called hatred which infests human hearts. Jesus Christ can truly uproot that hatred. He is the only one powerful enough to change a life like mine and inspire it with His loving thoughts."

• Suggested reading:
  • World War II Battles and Leaders ed. Aaron R. Murray (DK Publishing, Inc.).
  • Remember Pearl Harbor by Thomas B. Allen (National Geographic Society).
  • Welcome to Molly's World, Growing Up in World War Two America (American Girls Collection).
• Websites:
  • Glimpses for Kids #9 tells the story of Eric Liddell who was a prisoner in a World War II prison camp.
  • www.bli.org/default.asp?p=pearlharbor
  • www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pearl2.htm
• Activities:
  
  • Mitsuo Fuchida quiz
  • Mitsuo Fuchida Fallen Letters puzzle