When Japanese Cut Off This American’s Ear — He Killed All 41 of Them in 36 Minutes
The Heroic Stand of Private John McKini: A Testament to Courage
On May 11, 1945, at the crack of dawn, the quiet jungle near Dingolan Bay, Luzon, was about to witness an act of valor that would be etched in history. Private John McKini, a 24-year-old soldier from Georgia, lay in his tent, unaware that over 100 Japanese soldiers were advancing towards his position. This was a time when the Philippine campaign had already claimed more than 60,000 American lives, and the Japanese forces were fiercely determined to resist surrender.
The Calm Before the Storm
McKini, a sharecropper’s son with a third-grade education, had enlisted in the Army in 1942. He had fought through the brutal jungles of New Guinea and survived countless adversities, including malaria and dysentery. By May 1945, he was a seasoned soldier, known among his peers as the best marksman in Company A of the 123rd Infantry Regiment. His weapon, an M1 rifle, was more than just a tool; it was an extension of his will to survive.
As McKini rested, the Japanese soldiers, led by Sergeant Fukutaro Mori, crept silently through the underbrush, intent on launching a surprise attack. Their goal was simple: overrun the American outpost, kill the soldiers, and capture the supplies. The tension in the air was palpable, and the jungle, usually alive with sounds, was eerily quiet.
The Attack Begins
At 4:51 AM, the tranquility shattered. Mori burst into McKini’s tent, sword raised. In a split second, McKini’s instincts kicked in. Despite being struck on the head and losing part of his ear, he fought back with sheer survival instinct. Grabbing his rifle, he swung it like a club, incapacitating Mori in a flurry of action that would set the stage for the chaos to come.
Outside, the Japanese assault had commenced. McKini, bleeding and dazed, stepped out of his tent to find the camp engulfed in turmoil. Muzzle flashes illuminated the darkness as Japanese soldiers flooded the perimeter. The machine gun position, crucial for the Americans’ defense, was already under siege.
A One-Man Defense
Recognizing the dire situation, McKini sprinted towards the machine gun, where two soldiers were fighting for their lives. In a moment of unthinkable bravery, he charged into the fray, firing his rifle with deadly precision. In mere seconds, he had killed four Japanese soldiers and entered the machine gun pit, where he faced six more enemies in close quarters.
With his M1 Garand’s magazine nearly empty, McKini fought hand-to-hand, using the rifle as a weapon of blunt force against the attackers. In a matter of moments, he had dispatched all six soldiers, but the machine gun was damaged and useless. The dawn light began to illuminate the battlefield, revealing the overwhelming number of Japanese soldiers regrouping for another assault.
The Relentless Waves
As the second wave of attackers emerged from the jungle, McKini quickly scavenged ammunition from the fallen soldiers around him. He loaded fresh clips into his rifle and prepared for the next onslaught. The Japanese soldiers, now aware of the fierce resistance they faced, hesitated but soon charged forward, rifles raised and bayonets fixed.
McKini, fueled by adrenaline and survival instinct, fired rapidly, taking down soldier after soldier. His years of hunting in the Georgia woods had honed his skills, allowing him to shoot with remarkable accuracy. He counted the bodies as they fell, realizing that he was single-handedly repelling an entire battalion.
The Turning Point
Despite sustaining injuries and the exhaustion setting in, McKini refused to relent. He moved from position to position, never allowing the enemy to predict his next shot. The Japanese soldiers, adapting to their losses, began using tactics designed to overwhelm him, advancing individually while providing cover for one another.
But McKini was relentless. He charged at the nearest group of soldiers, dispatching them with ruthless efficiency. The battle raged on, and with each passing minute, he became more of a legend, a solitary figure standing against overwhelming odds.
The Aftermath
After 36 grueling minutes of combat, the Japanese forces, stunned by the ferocity of McKini’s defense, began to retreat. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of over 40 Japanese soldiers, a testament to the extraordinary courage of one man. When reinforcements from Company A finally arrived, they found McKini still standing, surrounded by the remnants of the attack.
The story of Private John McKini quickly spread through the ranks, and his actions were documented in military reports. Despite initial skepticism about the casualty numbers, investigations confirmed that McKini had indeed repelled a significant assault, saving his company from annihilation.
Recognition and Legacy
In January 1946, McKini was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. The citation praised his “extreme gallantry” and “unsurpassed intrepidity” in the face of overwhelming danger. However, unlike many heroes, McKini returned to Georgia and lived a quiet life, rarely speaking of his wartime experiences.
Years later, author Forest Bryant Johnson would bring McKini’s story to light in his book “Phantom Warrior,” ensuring that the legacy of this humble soldier would not be forgotten. In 2017, the state of Georgia honored him again by renaming a stretch of highway in his memory, a fitting tribute to a man who had saved so many lives.
Conclusion
The tale of Private John McKini is not just one of valor and heroism; it is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. In the face of insurmountable odds, McKini stood alone, embodying the courage that defines true heroism. His story continues to inspire, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, one individual can make a profound difference.