Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

by Larkin Spivey

  We are pleased to have with us this evening your son, Albert, along with three of his comrades. We would like to compliment you on the pleasant manner in which he speaks French, in a manner which is correct, well-bred, and educated. Not knowing you, we hope that you will receive good news from all your children that might be in harm’s way and that all return in good health. This evening this French family is experiencing a very good time and sincerely holds you in our thoughts… May God protect you always.442

  The hospitality shown these young Americans was warm and genuine. After years of Nazi occupation, the French people were grateful to their allies for their liberation. These bonds of affection have continued to the present day, despite occasional political disputes on the national level. On a personal level, most French men and women have a soft spot for any American who shows a willingness to try to speak their language. Such an effort is always pleasing to God, as he blesses any attempt to reach out to others while trying to understand their point of view.

  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

  —Galatians 6:2

  October 21

  The Nun

  Lt. Jim Penton’s tank destroyer unit moved into Vire at dusk. His men dug in among the ruins of the French village as German artillery fire continued to fall all through the night. As the sun came up they surveyed the damage done to their vehicles and equipment. They also noticed a convent to the rear of their position when the amazing sound of morning bells chimed, joining the wail of the German 88s. They then saw an even more amazing sight. A solitary nun began moving through the village feeding and watering the livestock, milking the cows, and collecting eggs. She worked serenely through the morning even while the German artillery kept the soldiers huddled in their foxholes. Lieutenant Penton described his reaction:

  I know that our most argumentative and skeptical atheist was duly fascinated and impressed by that display of the power and force of that Sister’s faith and complete fearlessness… It was not the sudden, stimulated and short-lived courage which drives a man to risk hot lead on a daring dash to aid a buddy, to me, it was far more than that… It was the picture of a mellowed and complete faith it was serenity of mind and soul amidst man’s savagery of arm and spirit.443

  Not all of us will ever feel that adrenaline surge that bolsters courage in the heat of the moment. Far more often, we would do well to follow the example of this nun and go about our daily tasks resolved to meet our own responsibilities, whatever they may be. It may be tiresome, ordinary, and unglamorous. It may be a quietly precarious position. But we must continue to perform our tasks with the conviction that God will take care of us as he sees fit. (JG)

  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

  —Colossians 3:23

  October 22

  The Little Pocket Bible

  Before going ashore on Utah Beach, someone handed Louie Havard a pocket Bible that he carefully placed in the left breast pocket of his uniform jacket. He didn’t think too much about it after that due to the heavy fighting on D-Day and afterward. His unit, Company L of the 4th Division, remained in almost constant contact with the enemy as it fought inland.

  A few days later Havard was seriously wounded near Cherbourg. He was struck in the chest by shrapnel, which would have entered his heart, except for the presence of the little pocket Bible in his chest pocket. The book deflected the metal fragment just enough to miss his heart and go into his left arm. He was evacuated to a field hospital where he underwent the first of many operations. After his first surgery, the doctor presented him the Bible that was in his pocket and told him that it had saved his life. Years later, Havard’s daughter observed that she and two succeeding generations also owed their lives to that Bible.444

  We are amazed at the story of one small Bible deflecting a piece of shrapnel and extending a man’s life. His family joyfully accepted this event as a miracle and a blessing to themselves and untold descendents to come. Even more amazing is the knowledge that every Bible contains all that is necessary to save human souls, and that millions have been blessed by the power of this great book. Every human being is able to claim this greater miracle through the life-changing message revealed in its pages. Through Jesus Christ we are offered the unearned gift of a relationship with our Father in heaven during this life and throughout eternity.

  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

  —2 Timothy 3:16–17

  October 23

  No Distant Unknown

  Pvt. 1st Class Albert Kishler fought with the 9th Army in Europe. In December 1944 he wrote to a friend to describe his thoughts during combat. Like many others who faced constant fear he felt God’s presence. Sunday—God’s Day. The man who said that there are no atheists in foxholes had hit the nail on the head. When the sun goes down and darkness steals in, life to the infantrymen becomes nothing more than a gust of wind. The nights are long, fifteen hours and cold and you are invariably dug in the middle of a sugar beet field—Germany is all beet fields, orchards, and towns. To get back to the foxhole, there you are—a grenade in one hand, more handy, and your other hand fingering your BAR [Browning Automatic Rifle]—it’s you and good old Mother Earth and God. And when the time comes that you leave that hole and charge across several hundred yards of enemy territory with machine guns burning, 88’s and mortars thinning your numbers, God is never forgotten. To us, death is no distant unknown…445

  When we live in relative prosperity and good health, death can be a remote possibility—in fact, it can be a distant unknown. Unfortunately, as we go about the routine of our lives, God himself can become a distant unknown. Albert Kishler’s story reminds us how this can change in a life-and-death situation. With such a reminder, we know we should not wait for a crisis to think seriously about our relationship to God. The goal of our Christian walk should be to grow constantly closer to him through daily prayer, study, and worship. God wants us to share our hopes and to give our fears to him, whether great or small. As our relationship with him grows and deepens, his presence will be an immediate comfort to us on a daily basis and in the crises that we must inevitably face.

  And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

  —Deuteronomy 10:12

  October 24

  It Might as Well Be in a Church

  It was a strange church service. The little Belgian village was in ruins after being fought over only a few days before. Battle-weary veterans came back from the front lines to join in. Replacements coming up also took part. It was an unusual mixture of dirty and clean uniforms, expressionless stares and boisterous enthusiasm. The men from the front lines had seen too much, the replacements too little. Tanks and jeeps were pulled up all around the little church where an American chaplain and a Belgian priest were conducting an ongoing service for anyone who could stop. One soldier described the scene as the chaplain recited the Lord’s Prayer:

  As he neared the end, German 88s started to drop nearby. No one moved. Just as he finished, a shell landed quite near the church. Normally, men would have been making a mad dash for cover, but for some strange reason, nobody moved we just stood there. Then behind me on the opposite side of the church, a man with a deep voice started reciting the 23rd Psalm, and soon everyone joined in. The shelling continued, but it seemed that the voices of the men became stronger. I guess the thought was, if we are going to die, it might as well be in a church.446

  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

  Y
ea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

  October 25

  Fate

  In June 1944 Arnold Brown took command of Company G of the 358th Infantry Regiment fighting in France. His company had seen a lot of action and had suffered fifty percent casualties in recent engagements. He had three days to reorganize for the next attack on the Island of Seves. On the day of the battle he learned a lesson:

  There was one sergeant, I couldn’t get him out of his foxhole to join us for the attack. He was squatted down below ground level, and he was frozen with fear. After this attack, which was also a failure, I went back to check on him. There he was, crouched down in that foxhole in the same position I’d last seen him. The only difference was, he had a hole in his steel helmet. For him to get killed like that it took a treeburst artillery shell, and a piece of shrapnel had to go straight down into that foxhole. The lesson I learned was, if it’s your time you cannot hide. I decided that I may get it, but I’m going to be doing my job when I do. If he had joined us in the attack, he might be alive today.447

  I had a similar experience in Vietnam that haunted me for a long time. Due to a premonition, one of my men refused to go with his unit on an operation. I sent him back to a rear area intending to deal with him on our return. Unfortunately, the man was killed by a rare rocket attack on the base. My feelings then were similar to those of the officer in this story. As a Christian, however, I have come to see a different lesson in these incidents. I believe that these men did not meet some preordained “fate.” They were killed by random and senseless acts of war. In any dangerous situation we can take measures to minimize our risks, and we can pray for God’s protection. Our actions and prayers can make a difference. One thing is for certain: our prayers will always bring us closer to God, our ultimate source of comfort and peace.

  Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.

  —Ecclesiastes 9:12

  October 26

  All Right, God

  Machine-gun fire from a German pillbox had stopped their advance. Myron Eberle moved forward to try to get the attack moving, when enemy mortar shells started falling all around him. He described his experience in the next few moments as, “the most vivid of my entire life”:

  While issuing orders, the thought popped into my mind with no preliminary warning, that “I was going to die, right now!” My response was not spoken, but it was none the less a response, and it was, “Well, all right God, if it is time.” And with my response came over me the most peaceful, serene, joyous feeling that everything was going to be wonderful and death was going to be a marvelous experience.448

  Almost in the same instant, a mortar shell struck right beside the awestruck soldier. Eberle himself was unhurt by the blast and survived the battle with the belief that God had given him a special message. He felt that he had received assurance for the rest of his life that “death will not be very frightening when we actually get there… God does indeed want us for his own.”449

  As Christians we know the truth of this soldier’s revelation. Our Savior conquered death for us and waits to receive us in a wonderful place. Even though we understand this, we are still inspired by this story and find our faith strengthened by this soldier’s experience. One man’s reassurance from God is reassuring to us all. Death is truly nothing to fear. God does want us for his own.

  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

  —1 Corinthians 15:54–55

  October 27

  D-Day Message

  In the spring of 1944 Barbara Sanz started writing to Lester McClannen, a good friend of her brother. At that time she was a divorced mother of two, and he was an Army cryptographer stationed in England. On June 6th Barbara learned of the D-Day invasion and heard the president’s radio address that night. She was profoundly moved by this news and wrote an emotional letter to Lester:

  Now I understand why I have not heard from you. The “Day” has come. I can’t explain the feeling I had when I first heard of the Invasion. I heard it when I walked in the (beauty) shop this morning, I was stunned. We all knew it was coming and were happy that it is started, so it can all end soon. When it actually happens it’s a shock. It was such a gloomy day, rained all day. That didn’t help much. We had the radio going all day.

  The President gave a prayer tonite that the nation was to join. Believe me, when I say I put my whole heart and soul in that prayer and will continue to pray knowing that you and the other boys have help and come out on top.450

  I believe that Barbara Sanz’s response to the president’s prayer was representative of the vast majority of Americans on that fateful day in 1944. It was natural to hear a call to God in a time of such crisis, and it was natural to respond. I believe that God heard and answered those prayers. If America were called to prayer in that manner today, I believe that millions would respond in the same way. We can only pray that God will continue to hear our prayers and that our nation will continue to be worthy of his blessing.

  But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

  —Psalms 5:11–12

  October 28

  Christian Soldiers

  On June 6, 1944, Flora Southwick of Marietta, Ohio, wrote her husband, Erman, after learning of the invasion of France:

  Today we have lived history. I can’t even describe my sensations when I turned on the radio this morning. Somehow there is a feeling of relief that things have actually started… I am not very optimistic about things coming easily but I can face the future with my chin up and I know that whatever the future holds for us we shall face with courage and dignity… Just took time out to hear the President and then heard Fred Waring’s musical group do “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The most beautiful arrangement I have ever heard…451

  “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was a favorite hymn of my childhood and sung often in the Kingston Presbyterian Church in Conway, South Carolina. It was also sung at the funeral of President Dwight Eisenhower at the National Cathedral in March 1969. I am sure the hymn was popular during the World War II era due to its martial flavor and stirring theme. The military overtone may be less in vogue in modern times, but I believe the words of this great hymn are still an invigorating call to action for Christians to unite in the cause of carrying Christ’s gospel to the world:

  Like a mighty army moves the church of God;

  Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.

  We are not divided, all one body we,

  One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

  Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,

  But the church of Jesus constant will remain.

  Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;

  We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

  Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

  With the cross of Jesus going on before.452

  Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

  —2 Timothy 2:3

  October 29

  Weather for Overlord

  The sequence of weather events surrounding Operation Overlord is one of the most miraculous stories of World War II.
The D-Day invasion was vastly complex and had many meteorological requirements. A low tide at first light was needed to expose beach obstacles to the assault waves. A full moon after midnight the night before was necessary for airborne operations. June 5 and 6 came closest to meeting these conditions.

  Additionally, however, the winds could not be too strong for landing craft and paratroopers. The clouds could not be too low for aircraft. Surf conditions had to be acceptable. The chief meteorologist estimated the odds of all these requirements being met in early summer on the coast of France as fifty or sixty to one.453 On Jun…stormy English Channel seemed to bear out these odds. D-Day on the 5th had to be canceled.

  From the German perspective, May seemed a more likely month for the invasion. During periods of good weather in May, coastal defense forces were put on maximum alert. When the weather turned bad in early June, readiness was relaxed and some units were withdrawn from the coast for exercises inland. Conditions were so bad that reconnaissance aircraft could not fly. General Rommel felt that action was so unlikely that he left his headquarters for a visit to Germany.

  With ships at sea and all of his forces poised to go, General Eisenhower and his staff agonized over each weather report. A slim chance for a break on June 6 was forecast. The moon and tides would not be right again until June 1920. On this slim hope, Ike finally announced, “OK. We’ll go.”454 The weather was not perfect. It was just bad enough to lull the German defenders and just good enough to allow the essential Allied landing operations to proceed successfully.