I read his book a long time ago.
Kind of a pitful dupe, kind of a nutjob.
He was a REMF intel officer and ordered to take to the hills and observe the enemy when the main Japanese force left. They would return and take his report.
He had a number of men, up to a hundred as I recall.
They stayed a few years but gradually all but 2 turned themselves in.
Onoda and his 2 guys had a miserable life-eating bugs and garbage, moving about from spot to spot and trying to draw as little attention as possible.
Both other guys died and he maintained vigilance. A kid from Japan heard rumours about him and set out to find him.
Onoda-from his book-"Observed him and determined to capture and interrogate him,"
Long story short, they found his former CO, and at a prearranged ceremony he stood and ordered Lt Onoda to cease hostilities and surrender.
He was made a very big deal in Japan, having saved national face, but he had a hard time with society-ya think?
I have some respect as a soldier, but mostly dismay that folks couild be so brainwashed and victimised.
RIP
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