PBS Documentary: Former Foe Pays Amazing Tribute to American Veterans

Newsbusters ^ | November 11, 2015 | P.J. Gladnick

[PJ-Comix]

Today is Veterans Day and ironically one of the greatest tributes paid to American veterans was made by a former deadly foe. A PBS documentary, Iwo Jima: From Combat to Comrades, broadcast yesterday and available online, featured the 70th reunion on Iwo Jima of veterans of that bloody battle. Among the veterans was Tsuruji Akikusa, a former radioman in the Imperial Japanese Navy who was badly wounded. As one of the very few Japanese survivors of Iwo Jima and one of the last who is still alive, he is quite a rarity. However, what makes him really special is the incredible tribute to American veterans that he made starting at the 25:30 mark of the video.

[PJ-Comix]

An amazing tribute.

[Vigilanteman]

During my 14 years in Japan, one of my side hobbies was taking U.S. World War II vets to meet their Japanese counterparts. I acted as tour guide/translator for travel expenses. This was about 20 years ago when a lot more of these guys were still around. We made some powerful memories for them as well as me. If I could go back then and afford to do it without even taking the travel expenses, I would.

[lysie]

Thank you for caring.

[Inyo-Mono]

My late Father, who was in the Pacific Theater during the war once had a Japanese Zero clip his B-24 during combat almost bringing it down. Years later, in the late 1970s, he attended an airshow where there was a Zero on display. Standing next to was a former Japanese Zero pilot who spoke a little English. They had a good conversation and then my brother took a picture of them shaking hands.

[Psalm 144]

Great link. Thank you.

[matt04]

Will have to watch this. Sounds amazing.

[HandyDandy]

I watched on tv last night. Extremely powerful. Maybe I teared up a coupla times and maybe didn’t...........

[Chainmail]

Iwo ping

[Last Dakotan]

Pfl

[skr]

Thank you

[Bigg Red]

Quite moving.

“There is something about the [American] national character that makes them merciful.”

[luvbach1]

Wow, that so moved me!

[vetvetdoug]

I lived in Japan from 1958-1963 and our landlord was a former Japanese Infantryman. Our maid was a Japanese soldier’s widow. There were quite a few Japanese veterans around then and my Father was always finding out where they had been and what they had done. Some were open, others not so much.

[Vigilanteman]

Just seeing these old guys embrace or shake hands was the biggest reward. It gave me an adrenaline rush like some of the mountain climbers or marathon winners describe.

[Inyo-Mono]

I can well imagine. My son spent threes years in Japan when he was in the Navy and loved the country. He said everyone was so polite.

[lysie]

I understand. I always say..it doesn’t hurt to be nice or show respect. In fact, I often feel selfish because I enjoy it almost as much as the people I try to help.

[Chainmail]

Iwo ping