Kamikaze From Kalmykia — Samurai Uncle Sasha

Nov 3

Posted by

An amazing war time story from the Japanese side.

Contra Spem Spero... Et Rideo

kamikaze plain

Esiteru Nakagawa was born in Tokyo, in the family of actors, the eldest child with eight sisters and two brothers. When the Great East Asian War, as Japanese call WWII, started, Esiteru enrolled in a military flight school, but has been sent to the front before graduation.

Kamikaze pilots bow to the Emperor before the battleKamikaze pilots bow to the Emperor before the battle

He completed his pilot training in aerial combat missions in the skies over Burma, the Philippines and Singapore.

Air ace Imperial Japanese Army, Commander of the Order of the Kinshi Kunsho (Golden Kite) fighter pilot, First Lieutenant Esiteru NakagawaFighter pilot of Imperial Japanese Army, Commander of the Order of Kinshi Kunsho (Golden Kite) First Lieutenant Esiteru Nakagawa

He was a valiant soldier and an excellent fighter pilot. During multiple flight missions he shot down 18 US bomber aircraft, more than enough to become a Commander of the Order of Kinshi Kunsho (Golden Kite) and, ahead of schedule, recieve the rank of “tyui” — First Lieutenant. Most importantly, for his bravery he was elevated to the ranks of samurai and bestowed a katana

View original post 827 more words

About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on November 3, 2015, in WWII and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 62 Comments.

  1. The Emu | November 13, 2015 at 10:21 PM

    Thoroughly enjoyed that story gp, also the fact that he still honored the code of Harakiri, and it was still in his thoughts even in old age.
    There must be many Japanese story’s about failed Harakiri, but daresay these would not be remembered in Japanese family history, much like a taint on the family tree through the tradition of Harakiri.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | November 14, 2015 at 6:07 AM

      In reading a book on the Samurai, I learned there were many different thoughts on the practice. We take it as fact that it was considered honorable by all the warriors, but not so throughout their history.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. Mustang.Koji | November 12, 2015 at 2:59 AM

    War and chance at its glory here!

    Like

    Reply
  3. greenwritingroom.com | November 7, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    Fascinating, touching and superb.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Ompong | November 4, 2015 at 10:43 PM

    I can’t imagine what’s the kamikaze pilots have in their minds thinking that it will be their last flight… Samurais, like the Viking warriors, were known to “savor” death as if death was a friend!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | November 5, 2015 at 5:42 AM

      I have read somewhat on samurai culture from centuries past and find that there was more than one way to look upon suicide and death. I gradually came to the conclusion that it became an individual feeling that we here in the 21st century are attempting to generalize – and I am guilty of that myself.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Curt Mekemson | November 4, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    Great story GP, and one with a good ending. –Curt

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. colonialist | November 4, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    An amazing lifetime well worth having attention drawn to it. As I remarked on the original site, it is gratifying that his countrymen cast aside his samurai ‘dishonour’ in favour of his exploits as a war hero.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Jim Kane | November 4, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    I have a one word response – Wow. thanks for sharing this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. mukhamani | November 4, 2015 at 1:27 AM

    Thank you for sharing. Regards:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. YellowCable | November 3, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    That picture of Zero is awesome.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Dan Antion | November 3, 2015 at 2:49 PM

    One of the other bloggers I follow just posted about a trip to the Korean DMZ – You might enjoy this – http://alittlebitbrave.com/2015/11/03/i-saw-north-korea/

    Like

    Reply
  11. ibdesignsusa | November 3, 2015 at 1:02 PM

    Very good story and glad that you shared it!

    Like

    Reply
  12. Don Ostertag | November 3, 2015 at 12:11 PM

    Thanks for this posting, GP. It really makes our world seem small and the people in it closer to each other than we give them credit for, even if ‘the buttons are different’.

    Like

    Reply
  13. Int'l Historical Research Associates | November 3, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Glad you reblogged this one. It was a very interesting story to run across yesterday

    Like

    Reply
  14. Pancho | November 3, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    What an amazing story.

    Like

    Reply
  15. Theanne aka magnoliamoonpie | November 3, 2015 at 9:42 AM


    this is Don (Army) and his fraternal twin (Navy)…hope the photo of them shows up 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  17. beetleypete | November 3, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    A touching story from the other side. ‘The sky is the same everywhere.’ Very poignant.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Pierre Lagacé | November 3, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    Thanks for sharing GP.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. Hammerhead | November 3, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    Really nice article GP, there is so much interesting stuff out there from the Japanese and German perspective.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Dan Antion | November 3, 2015 at 7:23 AM

    Thanks for bringing this beautiful story to us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  1. Pingback: My Article Read (11-3-2015) | My Daily Musing

Leave a reply to Int'l Historical Research Associates Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.