Hell reigned above the skies of Kolombangara Island, close to the island of Guadalcanal. First Lieutenant Jefferson J. DeBlanc of the US Marine Corps was engaged in a desperate fight against overwhelming odds.

Japanese Zeroes and other fighter aircraft were above, below, and behind him, seeking to strike him down. The able Marine destroyed three enemies in a few minutes, and the Japanese sought revenge.

Long gone were DeBlanc’s Wildcats and allied bombers. He had decided to stay behind to cover their retreat. And he had succeeded. It was now time for him to turn tail and live to fight another day.

While maneuvering, DeBlanc took down two enemy fighters with his machine guns, but the triumph was not without a cost. His Wildcat was shot multiple times, and fuel began to leak.

The Marine was forced to bail out and act lifeless as he descended toward the unforgiving ocean with his battered parachute. Once in the water, a wounded DeBlanc swam without rest to the shores of Kolombangara.

As he approached, DeBlanc saw people gathering at the beach. They were islanders, and they did not look friendly. Armed with spears and other weapons, they made gestures at him.

DeBlanc, thinking of tales of cannibalism, reloaded his M1911 as he reached them. Fighting the Japanese in the air was one thing. Surviving in the jungle surrounded by cannibals was another.
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