Kunio Nakagawa

Kunio Nakagawa

Kunio Nakagawa
Born 23 January 1898(1898-01-23)
Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
Died 24 November 1944(1944-11-24) (aged 46)
Peleliu island, Palau
Allegiance Empire of Japan
Service/branch Imperial Japanese Army
Rank Lieutenant General

Colonel Kunio Nakagawa (中川 州男 Nakagawa Kunio?, 23 January 1898 – 24 November 1944) was the commander of Japanese forces which defended the island of Peleliu in the Battle of Peleliu which took place from 15 September to 27 November 1944. He inflicted heavy losses on attacking U.S. Marines and held Peleliu island for almost three months. On the evening of 24 November, after the battle was lost, he committed ritual suicide in the tradition of Japanese Samurai warriors; Seppuku. He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant General for his valor displayed on Peleliu.

References

  • Peleliu 1944, The forgotten corner of hell, Jim Moran & Gordon L Rottman, illustrated by Howard Gerrard, Published by Osprey Publishing, 2002, ISBN 1 84176 512 0