JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After his plane was bombed out from under him during a World War II mission over Germany, being held as a prisoner of war and then marched across Germany with a thousand other prisoners, young Joseph Banks' body and spirit were battered.

Photo by Greg Hill

Joseph Banks and his wife, Afton, relaxing in their current hometown of Jacksonville, Fla., endured tremendous trials during his military service in World War II. They believe they were blessed at that time and have spent their lives since serving the Lord.

Photo courtesy Joseph Banks

Joseph Banks rests on a training aircraft in Long Beach, Calif., during World War II.

Raised by a faithful mother in a valiant family in Salt Lake City, Brother Banks had developed a spirit, however, that was strong enough to survive. But the taxing physical beating he took during the final months of the war exacted an awful toll. He returned to the United States after the war, in his early 20s, only to be told by an examining doctor that he had at best two years to live.

So Brother Banks considered it another of the miracles of his life that he could be sitting in a dining room in his home city of Jacksonville, Fla., talking about his life and experiences during a Church News interview at age 81.

His remarkable wartime experiences, resulting in the receipt of two Distinguished Flying Cross medals, are chronicled in a book he co-wrote with Jerry Borrowman, A Distant Prayer: Miracles of the 49th Combat Mission.

The book is also a witness of the depth of the spirituality that carried him through the temptations of peer pressure typical to the military, and abuse as a prisoner of war. Because of his example, he was generally looked up to by his peers. And he cites miracles that enabled him to survive the forced 800-mile walk across Germany in wintertime, ill equipped with only the tattered uniform on his back, one blanket to share with another prisoner and rations consisting of one potato a day for each two prisoners. The culmination of the miracles was his leading three fellow prisoners on an escape that led them to Allied lines where they were rescued. Since then, he hasn't found any indication that any of the other prisoners survived the abuse of their Nazi captors.

Spiritual stamina has remained with Brother Banks as he has served others, including as president of the Cincinnati Ohio Stake and twice as a bishop. Even now, he volunteers his time to help others, including older women who need assistance with their financial matters and can draw on his wisdom and knowledge following his many years in business. Starting in a service station, Brother Banks built a career in the automotive industry, primarily with General Motors.

His wife, Afton, also stands by him as a stalwart of spiritual strength. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1942 as he waited for the inevitable military draft notice. While he was away, she went through her own trials as a young wife with an infant son as she received telegrams from the government, first informing her that her husband was missing in action and then that he was a prisoner of war. When he returned home, she had to deal with his physical and emotional struggles that both now admit were a big strain on their relationship.

But they endured with love and are full of peace and contentment as they sit at a table together talking about their lives.

The few times in the interview when Brother Banks spoke of his war experiences, he became emotional, though now six decades removed. But when talking of his life since, though it has included 5-bypass heart surgery and two bouts with cancer, he spoke with enthusiasm and optimism.

"I've always been positive. I've never talked negative," he said.

After retiring from General Motors nearly 20 years ago, he began working with International Executive Corps, donating his time and expertise to help developing nations establish automotive industries. That has taken him to places such as Sri Lanka, Kenya and Saudi Arabia. Many times, he was accompanied by his wife who, he said, while he worked, would spend her time serving others. She did things such as help in hospitals, teach school or train people in building strong and successful families.

"It's been real fun," said Sister Banks, a cheerful woman with a ready laugh.

She met young Joe Banks while she was working at a diner in Salt Lake City. He and his buddies stopped in and "she waited on us, gave us a hamburger and a malt." She invited the boys to go on a horseback riding outing that night and their relationship blossomed from there. They have been blessed with three children — Randy, who was a baby during his father's war ordeal, Suzanne and Shelly.

Brother Banks says there is a relationship between the trials of the war years and the success, happiness and blessings he has had since.

He said, "I don't recall that I've ever gone to bed at night — and I always kneel when I say my prayers — that I don't thank Heavenly Father for all those experiences He has given me. . . . I thank Him for every one of those experiences because I know without them I could never have done what I've done since."

And when people struggling with physical, emotion or spiritual challenges tell him they can't do something, he answers: "You can. I walked 800 miles across Germany in the middle of winter with half a boiled potato a day. Don't tell me what you can't do."

He then teaches them principles such as honesty, hard work and doing their best.

"I've had youth come back after they get older and they hug me and thank me," Brother Banks said. "It brings tears to my eyes."

But now, his primary emotion is gratitude because, through faith and trust in the Lord, he has endured much, lived long, served many and acknowledged countless blessings.

E-mail to: ghill@desnews.com