“It began to weigh on me more and more over the years… I left her standing there, pregnant,” he recounted to KETV, explaining the motivation behind a Facebook post he made in May 2022. Accompanied by a photo of Yamaguchi, Mann’s post appealed to anyone with information about his lost love to reach out to him.
Mann’s story garnered global attention and was even picked up by Japanese media. It caught the eye of Theresa Wong, a 23-year-old History Channel researcher. Moved by Mann’s quest, Wong managed to locate Yamaguchi after uncovering a 1956 newspaper article titled, “Tokyo bride likes life in Escanaba.” With her last name and an address, the irony was quickly revealed. Not only had Yamaguchi been residing in the US all these years, but she had also raised three sons just 650 miles away from Duane’s Iowa home.
Finally, Mann and Yamaguchi were slated to reunite at the Island Resort and Casino outside Escanaba in June 2022. Witnesses were moved to tears as the pair laid eyes on each other and embraced after seven decades apart.
Sitting together, the 70 years that had passed since their last meeting seemed to fade away as they quickly began conversing, reminiscing, and laughing.
“Do you remember the dancing?” Yamaguchi asked affectionately. However, Mann still had an important message to convey.
“I’m here to tell you that I never abandoned you. I just couldn’t find you,” Mann assured Yamaguchi, who nodded in understanding. In response, Yamaguchi said, “Thank you for remembering and keeping all the pictures. You must have loved me.”
