Takakazu Kinashi
Takakazu Kinashi | |
|---|---|
Commander Takakazu Kinashi | |
| Born | 7 March 1902 |
| Died | 26 July 1944 (aged 42) |
| Allegiance | Empire of Japan |
| Branch | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Service years | 1920–1944 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral (posthumous) |
| Commands | |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Iron Cross, 2nd class |
Takakazu Kinashi (木梨 鷹一, Kinashi Takakazu; 7 March 1902 – 26 July 1944) was a Japanese naval officer during World War II. As captain of submarine I-19, he sank the American aircraft carrier USS Wasp and destroyer USS O'Brien and severely damaged the battleship USS North Carolina with a single spread of six torpedoes in 1942. He was the most successful submarine commander of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, sinking five merchant ships, one carrier and one destroyer, for a total of 39,097 GRT, and damaging a further one battleship and four merchant ships, for 69,542 GRT.