Akira Yamamoto

Akira Yamamoto (山本 旭, Yamamoto Akira) (1913 – 24 November 1944) was an officer and ace fighter pilot in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific theater of World War II.

In aerial combat over China, the Pacific, and Japan, he was officially credited with destroying 13 enemy aircraft.

In June 1942, during the Battle of Midway, Kaga was fatally damaged by enemy action while Yamamoto was participating in the fleet's combat air patrol.

In October 1942, Yamamoto participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands as a member of Zuihō's fighter group.

He was subsequently transferred to the home islands and participated in aerial battles over Iwo Jima, during which he was wounded in June 1944.