Naval Admiral. Nagumo served as the commander of the Imperial Navy's aircraft carrier strike force during th early stages of the Second World War and lead this force in the attack on Pearl Harbor and during the battles of Midway, Eastern Solomon Islands and Santa Cruz Islands. After his carrier was struck during the pivotal defeat at Midway, Nagumo at first refused to abandon his sinking ship, but was physically dragged to safety by his staff. After commanding a smaller carrier force to a victory in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Nagumo was assigned to command the Central Pacific Area Fleet based on Saipan. He remained there as Saipan was overrun by American forces. With no escape possible, Nagumo committed ritual suicide on the evening of July 6, 1944. He was portrayed by actor James Shigeta in the motion picture "Midway"(1976).
Naval Admiral. Nagumo served as the commander of the Imperial Navy's aircraft carrier strike force during th early stages of the Second World War and lead this force in the attack on Pearl Harbor and during the battles of Midway, Eastern Solomon Islands and Santa Cruz Islands. After his carrier was struck during the pivotal defeat at Midway, Nagumo at first refused to abandon his sinking ship, but was physically dragged to safety by his staff. After commanding a smaller carrier force to a victory in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Nagumo was assigned to command the Central Pacific Area Fleet based on Saipan. He remained there as Saipan was overrun by American forces. With no escape possible, Nagumo committed ritual suicide on the evening of July 6, 1944. He was portrayed by actor James Shigeta in the motion picture "Midway"(1976).
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
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