The Rescue : A True Story of Courage and Survival in World War II

Praise for The Rescue ''Steven Trent Smith grapples boldly with several big subjects: the Japanese occupation of the Philippines; the capture of JapanвЂTMs ‘Z PlanвЂTM (the decisive-battle strategy for destroying the U.S. Pacific Fleet); the rescue by submarine of forty Americans stranded in the Philippines; the climactic Battle of the Philippine Sea. Meticulously researched and well written, The Rescue ties these elements together into an epic that is emotionally engaging from start to rousing finish.'' –Martin Russ, author of Breakout and The Last Parallel ''SmithвЂTMs thoroughly researched, detailed account of the brave American and Filipino guerrillas on Negros Island in the Philippines will do much to introduce readers to this little known aspect of World War II in the Pacific. . . . This is a fascinating story well told.'' –Elizabeth Norman, author of the award-winning We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese ''The Rescue is a delightful journey with the gallant few who resisted the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and who shaped the larger events wh ich led to victory in the Pacific. SmithвЂTMs brilliant research and unique storytelling make this account a must for all who enjoy history and a grand adventure.'' –Peter Huchthausen, author of October Fury ''With a photojournalistвЂTMs eye for action and detail, Steven Trent SmithвЂTMs The Rescue is a remarkable achievement. The incredible mission to save forty Americans stranded in the Philippines reads more like a work of fiction. . . . A must-read for all those interested in one of the great secret submarine operations of World War II and all action adventure fans alike!'' –Richard P. Henrick, author of Crimson Tide and Nightwatch

praise For The Rescue

Steven Trent Smith Grapples Boldly With Several Big Subjects: The Japanese Occupation Of The Philippines; The Capture Of Japan's 'z Plan' (the Decisive-battle Strategy For Destroying The U.s. Pacific Fleet); The Rescue By Submarine Of Forty Americans Stranded In The Philippines; The Climactic Battle Of The Philippine Sea. Meticulously Researched And Well Written, The Rescue Ties These Elements Together Into An Epic That Is Emotionally Engaging From Start To Rousing Finish.
-martin Russ, Author Of Breakout And The Last Parallel

Smith's Thoroughly Researched, Detailed Account Of The Brave American And Filipino Guerrillas On Negros Island In The Philippines Will Do Much To Introduce Readers To This Little Known Aspect Of World War Ii In The Pacific. . . . This Is A Fascinating Story Well Told.
-elizabeth Norman, Author Of The Award-winning We Band Of Angels: The Untold Story Of American Nurses Trapped On Bataan By The Japanese

The Rescue Is A Delightful Journey With The Gallant Few Who Resisted The Japanese Occupation Of The Philippines And Who Shaped The Larger Events Wh Ich Led To Victory In The Pacific. Smith's Brilliant Research And Unique Storytelling Make This Account A Must For All Who Enjoy History And A Grand Adventure.
-peter Huchthausen, Author Of October Fury

With A Photojournalist's Eye For Action And Detail, Steven Trent Smith's The Rescue Is A Remarkable Achievement. The Incredible Mission To Save Forty Americans Stranded In The Philippines Reads More Like A Work Of Fiction. . . . A Must-read For All Those Interested In One Of The Great Secret Submarine Operations Of World War Ii Andall Action Adventure Fans Alike!
-richard P. Henrick, Author Of Crimson Tide And Nightwatch

publishers Weekly

a Television Photojournalist Who Has Covered The Iranian Hostage Crisis, The Hunger Strikes In Northern Ireland, The Shooting Of Pope John Paul Ii, Various Olympics And Charles And Diana's Wedding, Smith Has Also Won Four Emmy Awards For Producing Public Service Announcements. He Breaks Into Print With A Taut Tale Of A Forgotten Rescue Mission In 1944. When The Philippines Fell To The Japanese In May 1942, More Than 40 Americans Living On The Island Of Negros Abandoned Their Homes And Fled Inland. Most Were Missionaries, Silliman University Faculty And Their Family Members, Who Endured Two Years Of Hardship As They Moved From Place To Place In The Jungles And Mountains, Evading Japanese Patrols Sent To Capture Them. Protected By Sympathetic Civilians And Watched Over By Vigilant Filipino Resistance Fighters, These Americans Were Finally Evacuated In May 1944, As The Allied Offensive Came Closer To The Islands. But The Evacuation By Submarine The U.s.s. Crevalle Was Only Part Of The Drama. On The Last Day Of March 1944, Two Japanese Flying Boats Carrying Adm. Koga Mineichi And His Staff Crashed In A Severe Storm. The Admiral, In Command Of The Japanese Fleet, Had Just Completed Top Secret Plans To Counter The Next American Offensive; These Plans Washed Up On A Beach On Neighboring Cebu Island And Quickly Found Their Way To The American Commander Of The Resistance. When Crevalle Evacuated The Civilians, The Plans Went Along, With Mixed Results In Influencing The Battle Of The Philippine Sea In June 1944. Smith Evaluates The Two Admirals And The Resulting Controversy. (may 18) Forecast: While The Subject Matter Here Is Certainly Intriguing, Given Smith's Journalistic Exploits, One Wonders Whether A Memoir Can Be Far Behind This Well-reported Story. Based On Firsthand Accounts Supplied By Surviving Refugees And Submariners, Smith's Account Will Engross Buffs, But Won't Reach Beyond That Market. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

The Rescue......Page 1 Contents......Page 4 Maps......Page 6 Author's Note......Page 9 Prologue......Page 12 1 Special Mission......Page 16 2 The Missionaries......Page 21 3 Separation......Page 47 4 The Sugar Families......Page 72 5 The Prisoners of War......Page 103 6 Independence Day......Page 124 7 Planter, Soldier, Oilman, Spy......Page 135 8 The Samurai's Story......Page 145 9 The Seventh Son......Page 163 10 Terms of Exchange......Page 183 11 Converging Paths......Page 198 12 The Rescue......Page 214 13 Precious Cargo......Page 230 14 Freedom......Page 244 15 The Admirals......Page 267 16 Decisive Battle......Page 289 Epilogue......Page 300 Notes......Page 318 Bibliography......Page 327 Index......Page 331 By 1944, forty Americans - missionaries, escaped POWs, and sugar growers - had been hiding from the Japanese for nearly three years in the mountainous Negros Island. They moved frequently from one primitive hideout to the next, ever in danger, subsisting on what little the locals could spare. When word came that a U.S. sub, the Crevalle, was on its way to save them, they endured a hundred-mile trek through jungle and swamp to the rendezvous point. But their rescue was just a cover for a mission of much greater strategic importance. Chronicles the U.S. Navy's rescue of forty Americans stranded on a wartorn Philippine island--a mission resulting in the capture of documents that thwarted Japanese efforts to anhilate the Pacific Fleet and ensured American victory in the Battle of the Philippine Sea Steven Trent Smith. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 316-319) And Index.