Deshazer
Jacob Daniel DeShazer, 6584514, Staff Sergeant
Bombardier Crew 16
Born November 15, 1912, West Stayton, Oregon
Died March 15, 2008, Salem, Oregon
Graduated from Madras High School, Madras, Oregon in 1931. Enlisted on February 26, 1940 at Fort McDowell, California. Attended Bombardier and Airplane Mechanics Schools. Was captured by the Japanese after the Tokyo Raid and spent 40 months as a prisoner of war. Released on August 20, 1945 and separated from the service on October 15, 1945. Graduated Seattle Pacific College, Seattle, Washington, on June 7, 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in preparation for a life as a missionary. After completion of his missionary training, he returned to Japan on December 28, 1948 to fulfill the vision he had while a prisoner. Decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and the Chinese Breast Order of Yung Hui.
In 2010, Staff Sgt DeShazer’s daughter, Carol Aiko DeShazer Dixon, wrote an inspiring and thought-provoking book entitled: Return of the Raider: A Doolittle Raider’s Story of War & Forgiveness.
Col. Carroll V. Glines, USAF (Ret.) Historian, Doolittle’s Tokyo Raiders wrote: "Return of the Raider" presents one survivor’s view of the Doolittle Raid against Japan in the early days of World War II after Pearl Harbor. Jacob DeShazer’s story is a testament to the grit and determination that saw the U.S. through to victory. "Return of the Raider" is also an unforgettable chronicle of one man’s faith during one of the most pivotal times in American history."
Carol Dixon was also featured on the "Our American Stories" podcast. Listen to the podcast here:
Tags: Crew 16
