A cult on Tanna in the island nation of Vanuatu is celebrating its 50th year of worshiping a savior who they believe sent cargo planes during World War II.

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The John Frum movement worships a spirit named John Frum who they say encouraged the elders of the island in the 1930s to retain their traditional customs and reject the teachings of Christian missionaries, the BBC reported Thursday.

When U.S. cargo planes arrived during the war, bringing weapons, food and medicine to the island's residents, it was thought by devotees to be the work of John Frum. Each year the cult members don homemade U.S. military uniforms and parade under a U.S. flag as a tribute to the spirit, who they believe was a U.S. citizen.

Chief Isaac Wan, who heads the movement, said John Frum is "our God, our Jesus." He said members of the cult believe their savior will one day return.