Yamamoto, Isoroku (1884–1943)

Japanese admiral in World War II. Long convinced that Japan would eventually fight the USA he began planning the attack on Pearl Harbor early 1940. After the raid he was quick to appreciate the significance of the US carrier force escaping the damage, and prepared plans to entrap and destroy them, but this backfired and instead he lost most of his own carriers in the Battle of Midway.

He was appointed chief of naval aviation 1938 and given command of the combined fleet 1939. He planned a series of naval offensives 1943 and set out on a tour of bases in the Solomon Islands to explain his strategy and raise morale. US forces intercepted signals giving his itinerary and shot down his aircraft 18 April 1943.