Did you know that American men fought in World War II long before Pearl Harbor? Although a sentiment of pacifism and “America First” had kept the U.S. from getting involved directly, some Americans launched out on their own, volunteering to fight Nazi Germany in other ways.

Because Roger Greene, the star of my current novel, The Methuselah Project, sailed to England to fly fighter planes for the Royal Air Force, I especially enjoyed coming across memories of a real-life American who mirrors the exact same spirit as my fictional character. At age 19, James Goodson was positive that America would eventually jump into the battle against Nazism. He decided not to wait. He packed his bag and set sail for England. On the Atlantic, Goodson’s ship was torpedoed and sunk. He arrived in England with just the clothes he was wearing. Here’s what happened next:

“I found a RAF recruiting station and immediately asked if any American could join. No one seemed to know at first if I could but later was told I could but would probably lose my American citizenship when I swore allegiance to the King of England. I told the recruiters that if the king needed my allegiance, he had it. The question of pay arose and I think the fellow said it was seven shillings and six pence a day (less than $2.00). I was heartbroken. I said, ‘I’ve lost everything I have. I don’t think I can afford it.’ The fellow said, ‘No, no, no. We pay you seven and six.’ I remember thinking, ‘These lovable fools. They could have had me for nothing.’ To be able to fly a Spitfire and be paid for it was just beyond my wildest dreams.”*

Goodson flew with the 43rd Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Later, he became a pilot in the Eagle Squadron [composed of Yanks who flew in the RAF before America entered the war]. He never lost the thrill of flying.

Have you ever known someone who served during the world’s biggest conflict? Did he or she share any memories that stick with you to this day?

*Source: Astor, Gerald. The Mighty Eighth, New York: Dell Publishing, 1997. pp. 20-21.

During World War II, Mike Billey of Elkhart, Indiana, never imagined that he would have to walk 800 miles at gunpoint. He’s glad he only had to do it once.

Billey’s saga began in 1941. Before war broke out, he was planning to marry a Christian girl named Laura from his church. But then the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and the military was calling young men to service. Billey enlisted, completed basic training, then married his sweetheart before shipping out. Trained as a radio operator, he was assigned to a B-17 nicknamed Johnny Reb with the 452nd Bomb Group in England.

Within a month of arriving in England, Billey and the crew of Johnny Reb began participating in bombing missions over Hitler’s Third Reich. On each raid, Billey carried a pocket-sized New Testament. Inside its front cover was a metal plate that included President Roosevelt’s wishes for safety. Whenever he had some spare moments, Billey would read portions of God’s Word.

However, during Billey’s ninth mission, on August 9, 1944, enemy gunfire damaged Johnny Reb, knocking two of the plane’s four engines out of commission over Regensburg, Germany. The bomber limped away from the battle on its two remaining engines, but couldn’t keep up with the group. Worse, no fighter escort was available to watch over stragglers.

“It was a desolate feeling to see everyone leaving,” Billey recalls. “Everyone did a lot of praying.”

From bad to worse

The airmen heaved overboard everything that wasn’t bolted down, but the wounded bomber continued losing altitude. Over Holland, when the plane was down to 5,000 feet, German flak guns peppered it, and the remaining engines caught fire.

“I’m going to count to five,” the pilot announced by intercom, “and you guys better be out of here, because I’m leaving!”

Excited, Billey jumped up from his radioman’s station and headed rearward to bail out. Fortunately, one of the waist gunners shouted, “Hey, where’s your parachute?” Billey had left it atop his radioman’s post and hurried back to snap it onto his harness!

“We all got out safely,” he says, but as he drifted down, his problems weren’t over. He could see soldiers on the ground running toward the spot where he would land. They were carrying guns, knives, and one man even brandished a pitchfork. “I wondered what he was planning to do with that.”

“They took my pistol and slapped me around. Then they put me on a truck. One of them took out my New Testament, and they had a big laugh about Roosevelt’s wish for safety.” But then they handed back his only copy of the Scriptures.

In nearby Eindhoven, Holland, Billey’s captors locked him in a schoolhouse that had been converted into a jail. Seeing him at the window, Dutch children would risk flashing two fingers in a “V” for victory, which inspired the tech sergeant.

After ten or twelve days of interrogation, Billey and other captured airmen were crammed into train cars for transport. Of course, railroad yards were targets for Allied bombers. “At night they left us locked in the trains in the marshalling yards. When bombs started dropping around us, we bounced around pretty good inside those box cars.”

Eventually the airmen reached Stettin, Germany, where they were imprisoned in Stalag IV.

“I’ll never forget,” Billey says, “we had good chaplains who committed us to God before each mission. Even in prison camp at Stalag IV we had religious services. We knew that we had people praying for us. The Lord watched over us.” (Interestingly, Billey’s bride Laura didn’t receive word that he was missing until three months after he bailed out. It took another month for her to learn that he was a POW.)

Life as a prisoner in Stettin was dreary and depressing. But one day a particularly memorable event lifted the prisoners’ hearts. The sound of a struggling aircraft came over the compound. Looking up, the POWs spotted a shot-up German fighter. The Luftwaffe plane passed overhead and crashed in a ball of flames. Cheers erupted from thousands of voices, but the commandant was grim: “Keep it quiet!” he ordered. “They have their guns on you!” Evidently he feared a spontaneous uprising.

Frozen feet on frozen roads

In the frigid February of 1945, the German guards ordered the prisoners to prepare for a march. Allied troops were approaching, and the Germans weren’t going to surrender the prisoners, even if no trains or trucks were available. “We had to walk,” Billey recalls. “Eight or nine thousand of us. All airmen.”

Walk they did. For eighty-six days the German guards marched them south over frozen roads, veering first one way and then another to avoid Russians in the east and the Americans and British in the west. By the time the prisoners had tramped eight hundred miserable miles, Billey was too ill to go on. Rather than drag along sick prisoners, the guards left him and many others at a Czech hospital. Two days later, Russian tanks rumbled into town.

At last, Billey was free. The Russians promised to help the former prisoners. However, the Soviets’ plan was to send them home via the Black Sea, which sounded like the wrong direction. Talking over their options, Billey united with four Americans and three British airmen, two of whom spoke German. “We left and started walking. People [German citizens] begged us to stay with them because of the Russians.”

A close call

One night the little band asked a German couple if they could sleep in their barn. “Nein,” the lady insisted. “You must sleep in the house.”

The next morning the group was glad they had asked first: at dawn they noticed a squad of armed German soldiers exiting the barn. “The Lord was looking over us. We waited, then left a different way.”

Ironically, when Billey finally reached the last bridge that separated him from American lines, U.S. soldiers wouldn’t let him pass. “I had lost my dog tags, I was wearing Hitler Youth boots, and I had on a Soviet cap with a red star. They wanted to know who I was and why I was dressed that way.”

Finally, Billey persuaded his fellow Americans that he really was just an Allied POW. For two weeks he stayed at Camp Lucky Strike, where he rested and tried to regain some weight. From there he was sent to the States aboard the U.S.S. Billy Mitchell. He was home by the time Hiroshima was bombed.

For obvious reasons, “freedom” is no longer just a word for Mike Billey. He notes that back home, “People were not really aware of what war meant. There were drives for material, but life went on as usual. We were not being invaded ourselves.” On a brighter note, he is able to rejoice, saying, “A lot of believers came out of that situation. A lot of men turned to the Lord.”

That, too, is a form of freedom. After all, Jesus said, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin…. If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8: 34, 36).

Postscript: Mike Billey lived to see this article, which was originally printed in Horizons. He rejoiced for this chance to share his faith in the Lord. See you again someday, Mike!

Question–Do you have a relative who served in World War 2? If so, share with us in the comments below!

When I wrote the initial draft of The Methuselah Project in 2009, several friends commented, “That reminds me of the Mel Gibson movie, Forever Young.” Now that my story has finally been published, a number of reviewers surprised me by declaring it reminds them of Captain America.

When I noticed a book review site called “The Minister’s Wife” had posted a review comparing the two heroes, I requested permission to repost it here. Lois (evidently the minister’s wife) agreed, even though it was her husband who actually penned the review. (I’ve never met or communicated with either of them before.) Here is his objective assessment:

 

A Fantastic Novel ~ The Methuselah Project

“Before I opened this book, I turned it over and glanced at the description of its contents. Roger Greene, an American soldier presumed dead in a plane crash during World War II, actually survives and, as a result of a secret scientific project designed to maximize human potential, returns many years later to our modern world. His amazing abilities leave him a man out of his own time: he must cope with technology and culture unfamiliar to him, while facing enemies with roots in Naziism.

“So, before opening this book, I reacted to its back cover. This sounds like a Captain America rip-off!

“I learned that the old adage is true. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

“This isn’t a superhero story. Roger Greene is a basically decent guy, as was Steve [Captain America] Rogers, and a dedicated soldier. But his physical transformation occurs after his plane is shot down over Germany and he is captured and used as a subject of a Nazi program to radically lengthen the human lifespan. When he escapes, circumstance do not make him a colorfully costumed crusader. Instead, he must go on the run from both his enemies and the authorities.

“Barry does not surprise the reader with gratuitous violence or high-stakes drama – in other words, this isn’t paced or plotted like a comic book. He does present characters and situations which make sense, placing his unusual hero in a very believable world. Some of the Nazi characters are surprisingly “human” instead of being shallow representations of unmitigated evil.

“I found the sequences which take place in Indiana especially enjoyable, because I have visited some of the places described in this book and could tell that the author [who lives in Indianapolis] has experienced first-hand the settings he deftly describes. But the scenes set in Atlanta, Georgia, seemed very convincing as well, and while I’ve not been there, they seemed every bit as real as the “local Italian eatery . . . along Highway 31 in Kokomo” where I’ve actually dined.

“After the opening chapter there is not much action in the first two-thirds of the book, but I found that the slow pace did not become boring. I was also surprised at how certain Nazi characters were presented as misguided but reasonable, rather than shallow monsters. [another contrast with the tales of Captain America].

“One trait shared by Roger Greene and Steve Rogers is a basic old-fashioned morality. Greene’s values are presented in an unapologetic way that make his stereotypically “boy scout” displays of virtue, perseverance and loyalty seem at the same simultaneously outdated and laudable.

“Read this book. With all the similarities to the adventures of one of my favorite comic book characters, this is no rip-off. It is a well-written story, and I finished hoping that the future holds more tales of its hero.

“By the way, if you’re a die-hard superhero fan who remembers the 1990 Captain America film, there’s a moment on page 219 that will surprise and delight you.”

Find the original posting of this review at…

http://theministerswifestampsandsaves.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-fantastic-novel-methuselah-project.html

For 11 years I worked as Assistant to Georgi Vins. He was a the internationally known Russian evangelist who spent 8 years in Russian prisons and labor camps before being exiled to America in a dramatic 1979 exchange. (The U.S. swapped 2 captured Soviet spies for 5 well-known prisoners in the Soviet gulag—4 human rights activists and Vins, a Christian preacher.)

During those years of laboring alongside Georgi Vins, I often interpreted his Russian to English at church services and Christian conferences. He was always a popular speaker, who spoke out about the then-persecuted church in the USSR. During Q & A sessions, there was never a shortage of hands. I well recall how one man, after learning details of the persecution, asked, “Isn’t there a way for believers to live peaceful lives and avoid the oppression and harassment?”
After a pause, Georgi Vins replied, “If a Christian stayed home instead of going to church; if he didn’t pray openly; if he didn’t let others know about his faith in Christ; then yes, he could probably avoid persecution. But that’s not the Christian life.”

Mr. Vins died in 1998, but over the years, that answer has often resurfaced in my thoughts. In western nations, the ridicule and harassment Christians sometimes experience may not be as hard-hitting as it was in the USSR, yet certain forces in society try to suppress our outward expressions of faith. They attempt to quash our Bible-based convictions. Some believers might be tempted to decide, “Enough already. I’ll still be a Christian, but just a silent one.” In other words, to avoid mockery or making waves, they try to be “secret agents” of faith. But that’s not the Christian life.

Jesus was crucified. His apostles endured arrests, chains, prisons, sentences of death. How did they respond? They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s name. In Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul writes from prison to gladness that other Christians were emboldened by his example: “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (v. 14).

If you’re ever tempted to go undercover with your faith, tempted to dim the source of light in your life so as to not “offend” someone, my encouragement to you is this: Don’t. Jesus Himself says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). A dark, burned-out light bulb may still be a light bulb, but it’s useless. Don’t try to be a “secret agent” for God. Let your light shine!

If you read the Bible, you often see the word grace. A quick definition is “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.” But it’s hard to be thankful for a dictionary’s dry explanation. What does grace look like in people’s lives?

The apostle Peter is a fantastic example. Brash and impetuous, Peter said and did things others wouldn’t. He was confident in himself. He boasted he would go to prison and even to death for Jesus. Yet, when an armed crowd of men arrested Jesus, Peter fled. Worse, he repeatedly denied he’d ever even heard of Jesus. Christ turned and looked Peter in the eyes on that third denial, which caused Peter to hurry away and weep bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).

By God’s grace, the story doesn’t end there. After Peter’s self-confidence had been purged to the roots, the resurrected Christ returned to him, forgave him, and restored him to ministry with the words “Follow me” (John 21). What undeserved favor!

The apostle Paul gives another example of grace. Also brash and zealous, Paul hated the faith of early Christians. He relished “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” This guy made it his private mission to locate and imprison Christians (Acts 9:1-2). Yet, in His grace, the Lord appeared to Paul and gave him new life and a new purpose. So, was Paul faultless from that moment onward? No. In Romans 7:15 even the admirable apostle confessed that sometimes he did not do the things that he knew he should, and other times he did the things he hated and knew he shouldn’t.

But, praise God, He is merciful to those who repent of their sins. As John recorded, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Friend, probably—like me—you can totally relate to Paul, who even as a Christian found himself not doing things he should, yet indulging in things he shouldn’t. (We don’t know what those things were, but they pricked his conscious enough that he called himself “wretched” [Romans 7:24]) God doesn’t wink at sin. He definitely calls us out of it. And with grace He forgives, restores, and puts away our sin.

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11-12). What fantastic grace!

A preacher once observed that the Devil likes to remind people of their past sins. Listening to Satan recite lists of our past failures is a sure way to feel defeated and useless for the rest of our lives. Based on God’s grace and forgiveness, that preacher advised his listeners to take past sins that have been repented of, lock them behind a solid door, then hang a “No trespassing” sign on it. That’s good advice.

If you know God, thank Him anew for His grace. Apart from it, who knows where you or I would be this very moment?

Although my third novel, The Methuselah Project, released a month ahead of schedule, book reviewers and bloggers have already discovered it. To learn more about the book (or about yours truly), take your pick of the following resources. (I planned on posting every review here, but I simply can’t keep up. The ones below will get you started. Google The Methuselah Project and–praise God–you will find many more reviews and interviews.)

Interview by Lena Nelson Dooley at her site “A Christian Writer’s Word ~ Characters Who Grip Your Heart”

 

 

 

Review by Kelly Bridgewater at the site “Creating Justice One Suspense at a Time”

 

 

 

Review by writer/editor/reviewer Tom Threadgill — “The Methuselah Project”

 

 

 

Author Elaine Stock’s interview —  “Do You Have Regrettable Elements from Your Past?”

 

 

 

Author Kathleen Rouser’s interview — “Rick Barry — WWII Buff Blending Historical and Speculative”

 

 

 

Interview by Literary Agent Linda S. Glaz — “The Methuselah Project Interview and Giveaway”

 

 

 

 

Interview on Hoosier Ink, site of the Indiana Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) — “Author Interview with Rick Barry- The Methuselah Project”

 

 

Book review by author & blogger Adam Blumer — “Book Review: The Methuselah Project”

 

 

 

 

Lynne Chapman’s review at “BellaOnline: The Voice of Women”

 

 

 

 

There I was, Googling on the Internet, when I found an ad for extras to appear in an “upscale party” scene for Captain America: Civil War.

“What a long shot,” I thought.

Just for fun, I replied to Casting with a dressy pic of myself in a double-breasted suit. I laughed. The photo made me look more like an upscale funeral director than a party-goer.

The next morning I received a shock: an email from Casting. They didn’t need me for the party scene, but could I come for a funeral scene? A week later, I was on the set, “mourning” the death of a VIP. (Sorry, no spoilers.)  I would‘ve done it for free, but they paid me. The day was fun and educational for this writer. (Dare I saw it was Marvel-ous?)*

What’s all this mean for you? Here’s my advice… Try new things, even if they’re a long shot. Visit new places. Collect novel experiences. Some of my life experiences include hiking and mountain climbing in Colorado, camping in Russia, riding a hot-air balloon with Pam, exploring deserted buildings in Chernobyl, and jumping solo out of perfectly good airplanes. Not only did I enjoy these adventures, but every one became a deposit in my bank of life. They enrich me and help me to write from experience.

True, some experiences cost money. You might want to save bigger ones for vacation. Yet, if you find yourself going through the same old routine each year, it might be time to break out of the pattern. Start locally. Maybe try an ethnic restaurant instead of the usual burger place. Visit touristy sites in your state. Be on the lookout for fresh opportunities—then don’t be afraid to try!

*Disclaimer: I don’t guarantee you’ll see my mournful face in Captain America #3. Plenty of footage ends up on the cutting-room floor, and I was merely a guy in the crowd. But the memories are mine to keep. If I ever need a movie-shoot scene in a novel, I can write what I know!

 

#CaptainAmerica