29. Yamaguchi’s Last Minute Surrender
A holdout was captured in April of 1947, and when interrogated, he revealed that his comrades did not believe that Japan had surrendered, and growing desperate, were contemplating a suicidal banzai attack to go out in a blaze of glory. American authorities hurriedly secured letters from the holdouts’ families, informing them that the war was over and urging them to surrender. They also flew in a Japanese admiral to confirm the news. That finally did the trick, and on April 21st, 1947, the holdouts emerged from their caves and marched to the island’s headquarters building. There, lieutenant Yamaguchi saluted, bowed, and ceremoniously surrendered his sword and his command.