Samurai! - How Saburo Sakai Became Japan's Greatest Fighter Ace

Saburo Sakai: The Samurai of the Sky

Have you ever heard of Saburo Sakai, the legendary Japanese fighter pilot who fought in World War II? He was one of the most skilled and courageous airmen in history, who earned the nickname of "the samurai of the sky" for his honor, loyalty, and bravery. He also survived a horrific injury that left him partially blind, but still continued to fly and fight until the end of the war. He later became a pacifist and a writer, who shared his story with the world. In this article, you will learn more about Saburo Sakai's life, career, and legacy.

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Introduction

Who was Saburo Sakai?

Saburo Sakai was born on August 25, 1916, in Saga Prefecture, Japan. He was the third son of a poor farmer, who died when Saburo was only four years old. He grew up in a harsh environment, where he had to work hard to help his family and endure bullying from his classmates. He was also fascinated by airplanes and dreamed of becoming a pilot someday.

Why is he called the samurai of the sky?

Saburo Sakai was called the samurai of the sky because he embodied the spirit and values of the ancient Japanese warriors. He was loyal to his emperor, his country, and his comrades. He was honorable in his conduct, never shooting at unarmed or parachuting enemies. He was brave in his actions, never backing down from a challenge or a threat. He was also skilled in his craft, mastering the art of aerial combat and shooting down at least 64 enemy planes.

What are some of his achievements and challenges?

Saburo Sakai achieved many feats and faced many difficulties during his career as a fighter pilot. He fought in two major wars: the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and the Pacific War (1941-1945). He flew various types of planes, such as the Mitsubishi A5M Claude, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Kawanishi N1K Shiden. He engaged in numerous dogfights with enemy pilots from China, Britain, Australia, America, and other countries. He also suffered a severe wound in 1942 that damaged his right eye and caused him intense pain for the rest of his life.

Saburo Sakai's Early Life and Career

How did he become interested in aviation?

Saburo Sakai became interested in aviation when he was a child. He saw his first airplane when he was six years old, flying over his village. He was amazed by the sight and wanted to fly one himself. He also read books and magazines about aviation and learned about famous pilots like Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. He decided to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot and joined the Imperial Japanese Navy when he was 16 years old.

How did he join the Imperial Japanese Navy?

Saburo Sakai joined the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1933, after passing a series of physical and mental tests. He was assigned to the Yokosuka Naval Air Group, where he received basic training as a mechanic and a gunner. He then applied for pilot training, but was rejected twice because of his poor academic performance. He did not give up and studied hard to improve his grades. He finally passed the entrance exam and was accepted into the Tsuchiura Naval Air Group in 1936, where he learned how to fly.

How did he train and improve his skills as a pilot?

Saburo Sakai trained and improved his skills as a pilot under the guidance of his instructors and seniors. He learned how to fly various types of planes, such as biplanes, monoplanes, seaplanes, and bombers. He also learned how to perform various maneuvers, such as loops, rolls, dives, and turns. He practiced shooting at targets with machine guns and cannons. He also participated in mock battles with other trainees and experienced pilots. He graduated from the Tsuchiura Naval Air Group in 1937, ranking third in his class of 70 students.

Saburo Sakai's Combat Experience and Injuries

How did he fight in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War?

Saburo Sakai fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War as a member of the 12th Air Group, later renamed the 22nd Air Flotilla. He was stationed in China, Taiwan, Indochina, Malaya, Singapore, Java, New Guinea, Rabaul, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Japan. He flew hundreds of missions and engaged in countless dogfights with enemy planes. He shot down at least 64 enemy planes, making him one of the top aces of the Imperial Japanese Navy. He also earned several medals and commendations for his service and valor.

How did he survive a near-fatal wound in 1942?

Saburo Sakai survived a near-fatal wound in 1942, when he was shot by a rear gunner of an American Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber over Guadalcanal. The bullet hit his head, shattering his skull and damaging his right eye. He lost consciousness and his plane went into a dive. He miraculously regained consciousness and managed to pull up his plane before crashing into the sea. He then flew back to his base in Rabaul, enduring excruciating pain and bleeding for over four hours. He landed safely and was rushed to a hospital, where he underwent surgery.

How did he cope with his partial blindness and pain?

Saburo Sakai coped with his partial blindness and pain with remarkable courage and determination. He refused to retire from flying and insisted on returning to combat as soon as possible. He adapted to his reduced vision by using his left eye more and relying on his instincts and experience. He also endured his chronic pain by taking medication and ignoring it as much as he could. He continued to fly and fight until the end of the war, despite his disability.

Saburo Sakai's Postwar Life and Legacy

How did he adjust to the defeat and occupation of Japan?

Saburo Sakai adjusted to the defeat and occupation of Japan with difficulty and resentment at first. He was shocked and devastated by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed tens of thousands of civilians. He was also angry and humiliated by the surrender of Japan, which he considered a betrayal of his emperor and his country. He was disarmed and discharged from the navy, losing his identity and purpose as a pilot. He also faced poverty and hardship in postwar Japan, struggling to find a job and support his family.

How did he become a pacifist and an advocate for reconciliation?

```html Albert Schweitzer, who inspired him to embrace peace and compassion. He also visited some of the countries he fought against, such as Australia and America, where he apologized for his actions and expressed his hope for friendship and cooperation. He became a vocal critic of war and militarism, and a supporter of democracy and human rights.

How did he write and publish his memoirs?

Saburo Sakai wrote and published his memoirs with the help of two American writers, Martin Caidin and Fred Saito. He met them in 1956, when they interviewed him for a magazine article. They were impressed by his story and offered to help him write a book about it. They worked together for several years, exchanging letters and documents, until they completed the manuscript. The book was titled Samurai!, and it was published in 1957 in Japan and in 1958 in America. It became a bestseller and was translated into many languages. It also inspired several movies and documentaries about Saburo Sakai's life.

Conclusion

Summary of the main points

In conclusion, Saburo Sakai was a remarkable man who lived a remarkable life. He was a fighter pilot who fought bravely and honorably in World War II, earning the nickname of "the samurai of the sky". He was also a survivor who overcame a near-fatal wound that left him partially blind, but still continued to fly and fight until the end of the war. He was also a pacifist who changed his views on war and violence, and became an advocate for reconciliation and peace. He was also a writer who shared his story with the world through his memoirs.

Call to action for the readers

If you are interested in learning more about Saburo Sakai's life, you can read his book Samurai!, which is available online or in bookstores. You can also watch some of the movies and documentaries that are based on his book, such as The Eternal Zero (2013) and Wings of Honor (2019). You can also visit some of the places where he fought or lived, such as China, Taiwan, Singapore, New Guinea, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Japan. You can also follow his example of courage, honor, and compassion, and strive to make the world a better place.

FAQs

Q: When did Saburo Sakai die?

A: Saburo Sakai died on September 22, 2000, at the age of 84. He died of a heart attack at a hospital in Tokyo.

Q: How many planes did Saburo Sakai shoot down?

A: Saburo Sakai claimed to have shot down 64 enemy planes during his career as a fighter pilot. However, some historians dispute this number and suggest that it may be lower or higher depending on the sources and criteria used.

Q: What was Saburo Sakai's favorite plane?

A: Saburo Sakai's favorite plane was the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, which he flew for most of the war. He praised its speed, maneuverability, range, and firepower. He also liked its elegant design and its symbolic meaning as a symbol of Japan's air power.

Q: Did Saburo Sakai have any family?

A: Saburo Sakai married Kiyoko Hachiya in 1943. They had three children: Masako (born in 1945), Noriko (born in 1947), and Hiroyuki (born in 1950). They also had several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Q: Did Saburo Sakai have any friends among his former enemies?

```html and John Balmer. He also befriended some of the Chinese pilots he fought against or met after the war, such as Gao Zhihang, Chen Huaimin, and Wang Hai. He also befriended some of the British pilots he fought against or met after the war, such as Brian Kingcome, Geoffrey Page, and Douglas Bader. 71b2f0854b