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Remembering a Unique Moment in WWII: The 1945 Kamikaze Attack on the USS Missouri

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — On April 11, 1945, during the intense Battle of Okinawa, a Japanese pilot executed a suicide mission by crashing his Zero fighter plane into the USS Missouri, creating a significant fireball. Although the pilot perished instantly, the battleship’s crew managed to escape serious injury.

In an extraordinary turn of events, the captain of the Missouri arranged for a military burial at sea for the pilot, a gesture that remains one of the more obscure yet poignant chapters of World War II. This burial was held with full honors, reflective of the respect typically afforded to fallen sailors of the ship.

Eighty years later, the USS Missouri now serves as a museum at Pearl Harbor, adjacent to the sunken USS Arizona, a site of the infamous 1941 Japanese attack that drew the United States into the conflict. This year, the anniversary of the kamikaze attack and subsequent burial will be commemorated by three grandsons of Captain William Callaghan, along with the mayors of Honolulu and Minamikyushu, a city known for being a launching point for many kamikaze missions.

“This story showcases the compassion and humanity present even during one of history’s deadliest wars,” expressed Michael Carr, CEO of the Battleship Missouri Memorial. “It provides insight into why this ship transformed into a symbol of peace and reconciliation just two years after its commissioning.”

Here are important insights related to the attack on the Missouri and the events surrounding the pilot’s burial:

The Role of Kamikaze Pilots

Kamikaze attacks were initiated by Japan as a desperate strategy to repel advancing U.S. forces toward the end of World War II. The Imperial Navy created the Kamikaze Tokko Tai, or “Divine Wind Special Attack Corps,” while the army established its unit, known colloquially as “tokko” in Japan.

Pilots were often forced to fly outdated or makeshift aircraft due to a severe shortage of resources, embarking on journeys with limited fuel destined for their targets.

The first successful kamikaze strike occurred on October 25, 1944, when a Zero pilot attacked the USS St. Lo, claiming the lives of approximately 7,000 Allied sailors throughout the campaign.

Despite a suggested success rate of about 30% initially, effectiveness declined to around 8% as the war progressed, hindered by increasing U.S. defenses and diminishing flying capabilities.

Around 4,000 kamikaze pilots sacrificed their lives in these missions, with many being young university students conscripted into service. The perception of kamikaze pilots varies, as evidenced by the emotional letters left for loved ones, showcasing their humanity.

“They were victims of war,” asserted Hiroyuki Nuriki, mayor of Minamikyushu, emphasizing the tragedy faced by young men who had their lives cut short. “This is the essence of war, and why we must strive to avoid it.”

Details of the Attack

The Battle of Okinawa was a grueling contest lasting 82 days, marked by fierce confrontations both on land and at sea. On that fateful April day, the Missouri had encountered multiple kamikaze assaults, already downing one plane when it faced another.

Despite sustaining hits from the Missouri’s gunners, the Zero maintained altitude before crashing into the ship’s side, causing extensive damage—but fortunately, the crew managed to extinguish the fire within minutes.

The Pilot’s Burial

Following the attack, Captain Callaghan ordered a funeral for the pilot to take place the next morning. The crew prepared by sewing a makeshift “rising sun” flag for a respectful farewell. The pilot was cleaned, wrapped in canvas, and placed on a tray to be committed to the sea, accompanied by a ceremony that included gun salutes and the playing of taps.

This act remains unique, as it is the only recorded instance of U.S. forces conducting a military funeral for a kamikaze pilot. While some crew members were initially conflicted about the decision, many later recognized the appropriateness of the action.

Captain Callaghan’s motivations for the burial remain somewhat ambiguous, as he never publicly discussed the event, and the family only learned of it years later. His grandson remarked on his grandfather’s empathetic nature, reflecting in his decision to honor the fallen pilot.

Insights on the Pilot

The pilot is believed to be Setsuo Ishino, a petty officer second class. He launched from the Kanoya air base as part of a squadron where many aircraft met a similar fate as they failed to secure objectives.

In a poignant farewell letter to his mother, Ishino expressed a duty to his country, noting, “The next time we meet, may it be beneath the cherry blossom trees at Yasukuni Shrine.”

Reflecting on the Legacy

The anniversary of the pilot’s burial serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked humanity amidst the chaos of war. Former President Obama highlighted this approach to understanding the past in his 2016 visit to Pearl Harbor, stressing the importance of empathy over animosity.

In today’s context, furthered by rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific, reflections on this event shed light on the values of reconciliation and peace-building. Mayor Nuriki emphasized the significance of remembering this legacy, saying, “Former adversaries can become friends, which is a lesson we must uphold for future generations.”

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Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo.

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