Ep 70: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Bill Donahue P2 on hmTv

Episode 70 | The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv
Host: Richard Acritelli
Guest: William “Billy” Donahue (Part 2)

In this compelling second installment with collector and educator William “Billy” Donahue, host Richard Acritelli explores the powerful stories behind rare World War II artifacts and a signed Holocaust memoir. Donahue shares his mission to return 43 Yosegaki Hinomaru (Japanese good luck flags) to the families of fallen Japanese soldiers, working closely with the Obon Society to honor the spiritual significance of these sacred relics.

The conversation also turns to a personal donation: a signed copy of Five Chimneys by Auschwitz survivor Olga Lengyel, entrusted to Donahue for donation to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center in Nassau County. Together, the two discuss the critical importance of preserving memory, educating future generations, and recognizing the local and global impact of Holocaust survivors like Werner Reich.

From the Pacific theater to Long Island living rooms, from Honor Flight to classroom lessons, this episode is a moving tribute to remembrance, resilience, and the artifacts that carry history forward.

Themes: WWII artifacts, Holocaust memory, Japanese good luck flags, survivor stories, historical preservation, moral responsibility, intergenerational education.

Transcript

Episode 70 – The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Bill Donahue (Part 2)

Rich Acritelli:
Welcome back to our second episode here with William Donahue—Billy, as I call him. Today we’re going to dive into some fascinating historical artifacts that he brought along. Bill is a highly respected collector, and we’re excited to share what he’s been working on.

Before we begin, I just want to take a moment to say this is our 71st episode of The Fog of War and Humanity here on hmTv. Bill was our 70th guest, and even though we’ve only been running a few months, the journey’s been incredibly rewarding. Big thanks to the team behind the scenes making it all possible.

Rich:
So Bill—what have you brought with you today?

Bill Donahue:
I’ve brought a Yosegaki Hinomaru, which is a Japanese good luck flag. During WWII, Japanese soldiers would receive these before going off to battle. The flags were signed by friends and family during a ceremony, either at home or at a Shinto shrine. They were meant to offer blessings and protection—messages like “defend the emperor” or “punch Churchill in the nose.” Soldiers would fold these flags and wear them under their uniforms. It was a deeply personal tradition.

Bill:
When these soldiers were killed in battle, American troops often took the flags as souvenirs. Now, decades later, many are in the hands of collectors or stored away in attics. I’ve returned one with my daughter to a family in Japan, and I’ve collected 43 more. This summer, I’m flying out to Oregon to work with the Obon Society, led by Rex and Kiku. They translate the messages, find the families, and return these flags—honoring the memory of the fallen. They’ve returned over 600 so far. I’ll be donating all 43 to them.

Rich:
That’s incredible. When you’ve spoken with WWII veterans, what did they say the flags meant to them?

Bill:
To American soldiers, they were trophies—symbols of conquest. Pilots would even use the Japanese flag on ships as targets during bombing raids, especially after Pearl Harbor. But to Japanese families, these flags are sacred. They consider them “non-biological human remains.” Returning one is a deeply spiritual act.

Rich:
You’re hoping to interview Rex and Kiku and maybe film that process, right?

Bill:
Exactly. I think capturing that on film would be a powerful way to educate and document this emotional journey.

Rich:
Speaking of education, the Japanese Empire once stretched from the Aleutians to the Indian Ocean. I remember watching The Pacific, and in that first episode, you really see the reach of their empire.

Bill:
Absolutely. It was vast. And the oil embargo we placed on them was a huge factor in the war. As an island nation, Japan needed resources. That’s why they expanded into Manchuria and China. The emperor was viewed as divine, and even after the war, we kept him in place—which was controversial but, in hindsight, very smart. It helped stabilize the country.

Rich:
President Ford hosted the emperor in 1975. That shows how far the relationship had come. And then George H. W. Bush, who was shot down in the Pacific, met with Japanese leaders years later.

Bill:
Right. Many of those leaders were his age. And it all ties back to MacArthur, who acted like an American emperor in Japan after the war. He understood the culture, and that helped with the transition.

Bill:
One story I heard from our friend Dave Hughes was when MacArthur rode through Tokyo. People lined the streets but turned their backs on him—not out of disrespect, but as a sign of shame. His aides wanted to stop it, but MacArthur said, “No. Let it be. This is their way of honoring me while showing remorse.”

Rich:
That kind of symbolism is powerful. And now, shifting back to the Holocaust, you brought a book with you today.

Bill:
Yes, a very special one—Five Chimneys by Olga Lengyel, a Holocaust survivor. It’s signed by her in New York City and was given to her doctor, Norman Treves. He passed it to his house watcher, who gave it to his daughter, Christine Hartman. Christine gave me permission to donate it to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center. So I’m here as the courier, making sure it goes to a place where it can educate others.

Rich:
That’s beautiful. What do books like this do for future generations, especially kids?

Bill:
They remind us that history can repeat itself. These stories must be preserved and shared. This book was touched by a survivor, passed through hands that valued it, and now it’s in its rightful home.

Rich:
You’re from eastern Long Island—were there many Holocaust survivors in your area?

Bill:
Some, yes. One I remember vividly was Werner Reich. I met him at Suffolk Community College’s Holocaust Museum. He was incredible—survived Auschwitz, ran in front of Mengele twice, and later used magic to educate kids. I brought him to Westhampton Beach High School, and he gave an unforgettable talk.

Rich:
He was so positive despite it all.

Bill:
Yes. His talks are still on YouTube. He joked, told stories, and kept students engaged. It might have been how he coped, but he was a true survivor. Even showed us the tattoo on his arm. I was honored to meet him.

Rich:
Reading books like Five Chimneys, meeting people like Werner—do you find you carry that with you?

Bill:
Definitely. When I wake up and start my day, I think about the people in Auschwitz. Their “to-do list” was simple—survive. It puts everything into perspective. We live a comfortable life, but they walked a very different path.

Rich:
You’ve met people just going about their daily lives with these powerful stories.

Bill:
Exactly. One time I was delivering a treadmill in Roslyn. Saw photos of a Holocaust survivor on the wall. The woman said it was her husband—he survived Auschwitz, used camp currency to buy clean water, then went on to fight for Israel’s independence. I told my Holocaust studies class about it the next day.

Rich:
That’s incredible. Real stories, just a few miles from here.

Bill:
Yes. Another veteran I interviewed, Marvin Bachner, helped liberate the camp at Ohrdruf. He wanted to give his rations to the prisoners, but the medics warned against it. They had to go slow. It left a deep impact on him. He didn’t know what he was walking into—none of them did.

Rich:
The Holocaust was a mechanized killing machine. But the reason we talk about it is so it never happens again. That’s why we do this work—why museums like HMTC exist.

Bill:
Every high schooler should visit. They’ll see something new every time. It’s tough to wrap your mind around, but it’s essential.

Rich:
Well Bill, it’s been great having you back. Thank you for your gift to the museum and your incredible work with the Honor Flight and the Obon Society.

Bill:
Thank you, Rich. It’s been an honor.