[/floatl]Washington Post: WWII vet finally gets Bronze Star for his part in 1945 arrest of Japanese leader
More than six decades after the end of World War II, a retired U.S. Army colonel this week received the Bronze Star Medal for his part in the arrest in 1945 of Japan's principal wartime prime minister, Gen. Hideki Tojo. The medal, one of the highest honors conferred by the military for combat actions, was awarded to John J. Wilpers, now 90 and living in Garrett Park. In September 1945, Wilpers was stationed in Japan as a first lieutenant and member of the 308th Counter Intelligence Corps detachment. According to his commendation, dated Feb. 4, 2010, the Army succeeded in arresting Tojo because of Wilpers's "initiative, ingenuity, and courage." "Captain Wilpers prevented [Tojo] from taking his own life thereby assuring that he would live and stand trial for his ignominious war crimes," the citation reads. "Had Captain Wilpers not acted with courage and initiative, Hideki Tojo would have succeeded in avoiding trial and possible execution for his acts." In January 1947, Wilpers's commanding officer at the time of the arrest recommended Wilpers for the Bronze Star Medal for his actions Sept. 10-11, 1945. The paperwork describes how Wilpers located Tojo's Tokyo residence and broke in after hearing a gunshot. Once inside, Wilpers found that Tojo -- who knew his arrest was imminent -- had shot himself in the chest. Wilpers reportedly secured Tojo's weapons and found a Japanese physician who, "faced with Captain Wilpers' .38 caliber revolver," administered first aid until U.S. medical officers could arrive...more...
October 1945 account here (PDF)
