Page 36 - LIfesOuttakes6

sure, and the enemy plane burst into flames, hitting the water beside the ship. When the fighting ended, and the sound of enemy planes faded into the distance, David turned to find his best friend near death. It was too late to do anything but hold his hand as he slipped away. Bitterness and hatred for the enemy filled David’s heart at the loss. But there was no time to dwell on it. He was called to the port side to help rescue a downed Japanese pilot. To his dismay, it was the very one whose plane he had shot. As he helped pull the pilot from the water, David just wanted to see him die. But his commanding officer had other ideas. “See if you can help him survive; at least until we can interrogate him.” The pilot’s arm was bleeding profusely, so David tied on a tourniquet. After the pilot was stabilized and interrogated, David was also assigned to take care of him. When he brought him his first meal, the pilot smiled and pointed to himself. “Me Yoshimo.” David met his smile with a resentful frown. “I was the one who shot you down!” David said fiercely. 30