Japan's Ace of Aces
Hiroyoshi Nishizawa was Japan's "Ace of Aces".
To his comrades, he was coldly reserved.But, to a few who earn his trust, he was very loyal.In the seat of the A6M Zero, he was considered "invincible".He could outfly and outfight the enemy whenever they were encountered.Even as Japan lost control of the skies in 1943, he still racked up kills.
Nishizawa always had a nack for seeing the enemy even before they or his wingmen, seen them.
But, he was far from invincible on the ground.He look pale and sickly.Only weighing 140 pounds and always suffering from Malaria and other tropical diseases.Even with that, he was very accomplished at Judo and Sumo.
He was born on January 27, 1920 in Nagano prefecture.In June 1936, he applied and joined the flight trainee program of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force.He graduated in 1939, 16th in his class.
His first airborne assault took place over Rabaul on Febuary 3, 1942 when his squadron came across eight RAAF Catalinas.He crippled one of them.This was Nishizawa's first offical kill.
In the IJNAF, they were not to credit kills to individual pilots, just to the group.
As a result, I have not been able to find an accurate tally of his kills.But, he is in the same league a some of the greatest German pilots on the Eastern Front.
He fought on until 1944.By this time, Japan was on the defensive.On October 22, 1944 he escorted a flight of Kamikazes to attack the American fleet off of Leyte.After the attack, he reported the attack to be successful.He insisted on going on the next mission as a Kamikaze.His commander disagreed, as he was more of an assest to Japan as a fighter pilot, not a Kamikaze fighter.His replacement successful flew his bomb-laden plane into the carrier Suwannee off Surigao.
Meanwhile, Nishizawa and several other pilots left their base in Mabalacat on board a Ki-49 Donryu bomber to pick up replacement Zeros on Luzon.Over Mindoro Island, the bomber-transport was spotted by F6F Hellcats from VF-14 from the USS Wasp and then attacked.They shot down the transport with Nishizawa inside.He believed that he could never be shot down.He died a helpless passenger on board a flaming transport.
Upon learning of his death.Admiral Toyoda sent out a all-units bulletin of his passing and promoted him to the rank of Lieuteneant J.G., posthumously.But, the message was delayed and held until December 2, 1947.In which his funeral took place.He was given the name of "Bukai-in Kohan Giko Kyoshi" ('In the Ocean of the military, reflective of all distinguished pilots, an honored Buddhist person."
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