Saburō Sakai (坂井 三郎, Sakai Saburō; 25 August 1916 – 22 September 2000) was a Japanese naval aviator and flying ace…Saburō Sakai (坂井 三郎, Sakai Saburō; 25 August 1916 – 22 September 2000) was a Japanese naval aviator and flying ace ("Gekitsui-O", 撃墜王) of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Sakai had 28 aerial victories, including shared ones, according to official Japanese records, though he and his ghostwriter Martin Caidin claimed much higher numbers.
Hideki Shingō (新郷 英城, Shingō Hideki; 10 October 1911 – 27 November 1982) was a fighter pilot officer in the Imperial…Hideki Shingō (新郷 英城, Shingō Hideki; 10 October 1911 – 27 November 1982) was a fighter pilot officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. He participated in various battles and campaigns throughout the Pacific War and survived the war.
Admiral Ryuichi Itaya (板谷 隆一, 20 August 1911 – 1 September 1991) was a Japanese naval officer who served in the…Admiral Ryuichi Itaya (板谷 隆一, 20 August 1911 – 1 September 1991) was a Japanese naval officer who served in the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War. After a brief stint in the post-war Japanese Coast Guard and Safety Security Force he joined the newly formed Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in 1954. During his service in the JMSDF Itaya held a variety of command and staff positions including serving as the seventh Maritime Chief of Staff from 1966 till his appointment as the fifth Chairman of the Joint Staff Council of the Japan Self-Defense Force, a position he held from 1969 till his retirement in 1971.
Yuitsu Tsuchihashi (土橋 勇逸, Tsuchihashi Yūitsu; 1 January 1891 – 31 May 1972) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial…Yuitsu Tsuchihashi (土橋 勇逸, Tsuchihashi Yūitsu; 1 January 1891 – 31 May 1972) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.
Hidemitsu Nakano (中野英光, Nakano Hidemitsu; April 18, 1890 – March 19, 1982) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army…Hidemitsu Nakano (中野英光, Nakano Hidemitsu; April 18, 1890 – March 19, 1982) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, commanding Japanese ground forces in the Southwest Pacific during the closing months of the war.
Kiyoshi Katsuki (香月 清司, Katsuki Kiyoshi; 6 October 1881 – 29 January 1950) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army…Kiyoshi Katsuki (香月 清司, Katsuki Kiyoshi; 6 October 1881 – 29 January 1950) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Kanichirō Tashiro (田代 皖一郎, Tashiro Kan'ichirō; 1 October 1881 – 16 July 1937) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial…Kanichirō Tashiro (田代 皖一郎, Tashiro Kan'ichirō; 1 October 1881 – 16 July 1937) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Kijirō Nambu (南部 麒次郎, Nanbu Kijirō; September 22, 1869 – May 1, 1949) was a Japanese firearms designer and career…Kijirō Nambu (南部 麒次郎, Nanbu Kijirō; September 22, 1869 – May 1, 1949) was a Japanese firearms designer and career officer in the Imperial Japanese Army. He founded the Nambu Arms Manufacturing Company, a major manufacturer of Japanese military firearms during the period. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (2nd class) in 1914. Because of his prolific firearms designs, Nambu has been described as the "John Browning of Japan."
Matsumura Tatsuo (松村 龍雄; February 25, 1868 – July 18, 1932) was a Japanese admiral who was Commander of the Interim…Matsumura Tatsuo (松村 龍雄; February 25, 1868 – July 18, 1932) was a Japanese admiral who was Commander of the Interim Southern Islands Defense Unit from 1914 to 1915.
Murakami Kakuichi (村上 格一, Kakuichi Murakami; 21 December 1862 – 15 November 1927) was an admiral in the Imperial…Murakami Kakuichi (村上 格一, Kakuichi Murakami; 21 December 1862 – 15 November 1927) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy, and served as Navy Minister in the early 1920s.
