14-year-old World War II enlistee offers lessons on rebuilding a divided America

Joseph Johnson was only 16 when he became a POW during World War II. Despite hardships, he speaks of his Japanese captors with respect, a lesson for a divide America.

Marcus Brotherton is a four-time New York Times bestselling author. His newest book, "A Bright and Blinding Sun," is a biography of Joe Johnson.

On Dec. 7, 1941, 10 hours after attacking Hawaii, Japan hit the Philippines. The largely under prepared U.S. and Filipino troops were plunged into battle. The boy fought bravely, loading machine guns and ferrying messages between headquarters and front lines. Once, to escape a sniper’s attack, he leaped into an empty foxhole, only to land on an enemy soldier crouching in the dirt. The boy fought for his life, subduing his opponent with his bare hands.  

Joe had met an orphaned teenage girl back at a brothel in Manila, and they became unlikely friends who helped each other endure. When she’d become pregnant from her unfortunate job, Joe helped her seek sanctuary in a church. He paid the nuns for the girl’s room and board.