The Extraordinary Story of Willie Hatfield: A Mother’s Prayer Saves a Life

War is horrible. But from war, stories of survival and divine intervention often emerge, showing the incredible power of prayer.

Among these remarkable tales is the story of Willie Hatfield, a man I was privileged to meet. My uncle served as his pastor. He shared this story:

A Mother’s Midnight Burden

Willie Hatfield was stationed aboard the USS Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser with a crew of 1,196 men, operating in the South Pacific during World War II. Unknown to his mother back home, the ship was on a highly classified mission to deliver components for the atomic bomb that would later be dropped on Hiroshima.

One night, while fast asleep, Willie’s mother was suddenly awakened with an overwhelming burden to pray for her son. It was the middle of the night, yet she felt a sense of urgency that she could not ignore. She knelt by her couch, pouring her heart out to God, pleading for His protection over Willie.

A Mysterious Urge

That same night, thousands of miles away on the USS Indianapolis, Willie was fast asleep in the lower decks of the ship. Suddenly, he woke up with an unshakable sense of dread. Feeling compelled to act, he got out of bed and began putting on his full uniform, boots and all. He couldn’t explain the urgency but felt he needed to be prepared for something.

Minutes later, disaster struck.

The Torpedo Attack

On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The ship’s fuel reserves ignited, and within 12 minutes, the massive vessel sank into the shark-infested waters of the South Pacific. Alarms blared as chaos erupted. Many men, caught unprepared, couldn’t make it out of the ship in time. Roughly 300 crew members went down with the ship, while around 900 men, including Willie, found themselves stranded in the open ocean.

Four Days in the Ocean

The survivors faced unimaginable horrors. Without lifeboats or sufficient supplies, they were exposed to the elements, surrounded by sharks, and struggling against exhaustion and dehydration. The scorching sun caused severe burns, and some men succumbed to the temptation to drink seawater, which only hastened their deaths.

Willie, however, had an edge. Fully dressed and wearing boots, he was better protected from the elements and the dangers of the ocean. The mysterious compulsion to get dressed had likely saved his life.

A Providential Rescue

Due to the secrecy of the USS Indianapolis’s mission, no one realized the ship had sunk. For four agonizing days, the men drifted in the ocean, praying for rescue. Finally, a reconnaissance plane spotted the oil slick left behind by the ship and swooped low to investigate. Upon seeing the heads of survivors bobbing in the water, the pilot radioed for help.

Out of the 900 men who initially survived the sinking, only 317 were rescued. Willie Hatfield was among them.

A Life Transformed

Willie’s survival was nothing short of miraculous. Reflecting on his experience, he recognized the divine hand of God and the power of his mother’s prayers. Her intercession on that fateful night had not only protected his life but also opened the door for a spiritual transformation.

Willie returned home and gave his life to Christ. He became an active member of the Franklin Bible Methodist Church in Ohio, living as a testimony to God’s grace and his mother’s faithful prayers. His story has inspired countless others to trust in the power of prayer.

The Legacy of a Mother’s Faith

Willie Hatfield’s story is a powerful reminder that prayer changes lives. His mother’s midnight burden was a divine prompting that saved her son from physical death and led him to spiritual life. Her unwavering faith and willingness to intercede on Willie’s behalf stand as a testament to the profound impact of a praying parent.

As we reflect on this extraordinary story, may we be encouraged to persist in prayer for those we love. Whether they are facing physical danger, spiritual lostness, or life’s challenges, God hears our prayers and moves in ways beyond our understanding.

So, who are you praying for today? Trust that God sees every tear, hears every cry, and knows every need. Like Willie’s mother, your prayers might just be the lifeline that changes everything!

This illustration came from a sermon entitled “How to Pray for Your Lost Friends.”