Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier who spent 29 years hiding in the jungle in the Philippines after World War II ended, died on January 16, 2014 at age 91. Onoda, born March 19, 1922 in Kamekawa, Japan, entered the Imperial Japanese Army in 1940 and in December of 1944 was sent to Lubang Island in the Philippines. His orders were to disrupt allied activity during the war, however the war ended before Onoda was able to carry out the mission. For the next 29 years, Onoda remained in the jungle, unaware that the war had ended. He continued to carry out his mission, skirmishing with Filipino citizens and engaged in minor fighting with Philippine police forces. In 1974, Onoda's commanding officer during World War II, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, journeyed to the Philippines and addressed the remaining soldiers, informing them of the end of the war. Onoda surrendered on March 9, 1974. After his return to Japan, Onoda spoke to student audiences about his experience, promoted environmental conservation, and wrote his autobiography titled “No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War.” Onoda received numerous honors for his service, including medals from Japan, the Philippines, and Poland. At the time of his death, Onoda resided in Tokyo, Japan.