Let Us Now Praise Famous Men

[corbulo]

Major-General Kiyotake Kawaguchi, 35th Infantry Brigade Commander, IJA, capturer of British Borneo in 1942, Came witin an ace of capturing Henderson Field in September 1942. In october he disagreed with 17th army commander (Hayakutake)about the attack plan, which he believed caused needless suffering to the men, and was relieved of command. During his stay on Guadalcanal he shared the same privations as his men.

[Capt Cliff]

LCDR John C. Waldron....I don't think I have to say more!

[zed]

Won victory at SAVO island august 8, 1942.

[RevRick]

Edson!

[corbulo]

VADM Raizo Tanaka - Victor at Tassafaronga lost 1 destroyer, sank 1 cruiser, crippled 3.

[RevRick]

I have to mention Arliegh Burke...

in the old Action Stations game, there are several scenarios in which destroyers engage in the Solomons campaign - now that was enlightening - and fun..

Those guys, Tanaka, Burke, Moosbrugger knew their business.

[zed]

As 4th fleet commander at Rabaul, he realized the importance of taking Port Moreseby. He did not receive support until after the carriers had returned from the Indian Ocean expedition - too late for it to be taken. He held the 4th Fleet command until October 1942.
I had to look up in my Volume VI -History of Naval Operations in WW2 who A. Burke and Moosbrugger were, they had a very interesting careers from New Georgia to Empress Augusta Bay.

[zed]

Originally posted by RevRick
I have to mention Arliegh Burke...

in the old Action Stations game, there are several scenarios in which destroyers engage in the Solomons campaign - now that was enlightening - and fun..

Those guys, Tanaka, Burke, Moosbrugger knew their business.

all of the above were destoyer commanders. I guessed they were called "tin cans". Do you have "DESTROYER COMMAND" - it is fun.

[screamer]

hes not exactly famous , but gramps for surviving japanese captivity. Hes brother got killed on doormans flagship [engine room] and he got captured when the japs took java

[corbulo]

Defended Iwo for 6 weeks inflicted more casualties than sufferred. Forbade any banzai attacks(although Senda disobeyed).

[mdiehl]

Standards of greatness have sunk pretty low when the defending commander is nominated merely for having inflicted more casualties on the attacker. In most wars and battles this is the case. Of course, in the context of the 1944-45 Allied campaigns, an IJA leader who did not botch the defense completely looks good.