I remember hearing this incredulous story in 1974. Japanese soldier, Hiroo Onoda, was still fighting, hiding in the jungle, not knowing WWII had ended.
He and his company of men managed to elude attempts to inform him where he was still living on Lubang Island in the Philippines. Onoda and his men unwittingly committed war crimes by continuing to attack thinking they were still at war.
There had been many pamphlets air dropped over the jungle hoping he would learn the truth. He did find them; he just thought they were lies and tricks.
In 1974, Norio Suzuki, a Japanese college dropout, made it his mission to find Onoda, Bigfoot and the abominable snowman. Suzuki found Onoda after only 4 days into his search. (Bigfoot and the abominable snowman remained unfound.)
When Onoda was located as the last man still surviving from his company, he still refused to believe the war was over because his commanding officer had given him the direct orders which could not be broken until he personally rescinded them to Onoda.
The Japanese military located the retired soldier and arranged for him to officially resend his orders to Onoda 29 years ago.
Onota cried and finally accepted that he had actually unintentionally committed crimes by continuing military attacks thinking he was doing his duty to his country.
Japan issued Onoda a full pardon.
Onoda died in 2014 after having spent the last years of his life teaching young men his well honed survival skills.
