21. Yokoi Knew the War Had Ended, But Refused to Surrender Anyhow
Unlike most holdouts, Yokoi knew by 1952 that the war had ended with Japan’s surrender. However, he could not bring himself to swallow his pride and return home as a defeated soldier. He also convinced himself that Japan would rise again and attempt to retake Guam, in which case he would be ready and in place to assist with the island’s recapture. Awaiting that day, Yokoi survived in the jungle, spending his days hiding in an underground hole, and emerging at night to hunt lizards and gather tubers and snails.