Nagao Sakurai

Nagao Sakurai was a flying ace of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War. Credited with at least 28 aerial victories, he was one of Japan's most successful naval aviators, known for his skill in the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. His combat experiences spanned major campaigns from China to the Solomon Islands campaign.

Early life and education

Nagao Sakurai was born in 1913 in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu. He entered the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima in 1931, graduating in the 61st class in 1934. Following his graduation, he underwent basic flight training, earning his wings as a naval aviator in 1936. His early assignments included service with the Ōmura Air Group and the Yokosuka Air Group, where he honed his skills as a fighter pilot.

Military career

Sakurai's combat debut came with the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. He was assigned to the 12th Air Group (Kōkūtai), flying the Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" over central China. He achieved his first aerial victories during this period, engaging aircraft of the Republic of China Air Force and later the American Volunteer Group (the "Flying Tigers"). Following Japan's entry into the Pacific War, he transitioned to the legendary Mitsubishi A6M Zero and was transferred to the elite Tainan Air Group, which operated from Rabaul during the intense air battles over New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

He saw extensive action during the Guadalcanal campaign, participating in missions to attack Henderson Field and engaging United States Navy and United States Marine Corps aircraft such as the Grumman F4F Wildcat and later the Vought F4U Corsair. Sakurai was known for his aggressive tactics and exceptional marksmanship, rapidly increasing his victory tally. In 1943, after the dissolution of the Tainan Air Group, he served as a flight instructor in Japan before returning to frontline duty. His later postings included combat over the Philippines against the advancing Allied forces.

Post-war life and legacy

Following the surrender of Japan, Sakurai was demobilized and returned to civilian life. He largely avoided public attention for many years but later contributed to historical understanding by co-authoring a memoir titled *"Zero Fighter"* with Martin Caidin, an American aviation writer. This work provided a detailed, firsthand account of air combat from the Imperial Japanese Navy perspective. He was also consulted by historians and researchers, including those from the National Defense Academy of Japan. Sakurai passed away in 1991. He is remembered as one of the most proficient aces of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, with his combat record offering valuable insights into the tactics, technology, and human experience of aerial warfare in the Pacific Theater.