Warbird Information Exchange

It's been a long weekend...

Just checked my email after a long weekend with a memorial service remembering a friend who died in a car wreck a few months ago, and got a note that Doolittle Raider, POW, missionary, and friend Jacob DeShazer, who was the bombardier on the 16th B-25 off of the Hornet passed away Saturday.
Mr. DeShazer was a godly man, a true gentleman, and a worthy hero and example. He will be greatly missed.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

I was sorta holding off saying anything but it's been a sad couple of days here. Jake was a simply wonderful man and a true friend to me for over 25 years. He been losing ground steadily for the past couple of years. Father time always wins. RIP Jake

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Don't touch my junk!!

Thanks for sharing that, Ryan; and I concur completely with your comments about Mr. DeShazer. I share his story with my American History students on a regular basis.

Not to change topics, but I helped bury another of the greatest generation over the weekend, my uncle (and true Christian gentleman) Robert Huwiler. "Uncle Bob" served as an ensign aboard the USS Indiana.

God bless them all.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Sad time indeed.


God speed sir!

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

I can't tell if I hear the Valkyries, or Harpies, calling. I just found this yesterday:

Jacob De Shazer's Archive Ebay Auction

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

May God protect him in his care and watch over his family in this time of great loss. He will always be in our hearts. May his story live on to teach others about true heroism and faith amid the cruelties of war.

May God bless you in your travels Jacob.

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

I get cold chills thinking of how God changed him from a bitter man to a missionary in Japan. He was a rare man. God bless him.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Methinks that, if Jacob Deshazer could answer us, he'd tell us that God already did.

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

I remember reading a comic book about DeShazer when I was a kid, that described his incredible spritual journey. I seem to remember the book saying that he and Mitsou Fuchida (leader of the Pearl Harbor attack) became freinds after the war, after Fuchida converted to Christianity.

DeShazer was not just a true American hero, but a true example for all to follow.

SN

I noticed on the ebay auction that is linked above, that Mr. Deshazer's uniform has the rank patches of a staff sergeant. In Ryan's post he mentions that Mr. DeShazer was a bombardier on one of the Doolittle Raiders.

I am just curious, weren't bombardiers usually officers in the AAF.....or was that just on Heavies?? Any information on that question? Thanks.


Ted

Hi Ted,
There were a number of pre-war enlisted aircrew trained has bombardiers.

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Don't touch my junk!!