Nagumo, Chuichi (1886–1944)

Japanese admiral in World War II, commander of the Fast Carrier Striking Force which attacked Pearl Harbor December 1941. A cautious man, after his aircraft had made two raids against Pearl Harbor he refused to mount a third, as urged by his air commanders, which ensured the survival of the vast US Navy oil stores. Had these been destroyed, the US fleet would have been forced to retire to the US Pacific coast.

Nagumo entered the Indian Ocean April 1942, attacked British naval bases in Ceylon, and sank several British warships. He was decisively defeated at the Battle of Midway May 1942, but fared better in the Solomons and at Santa Cruz, although he lost much of his aircraft strength. He was relieved and sent to command the defences of Saipan, committing suicide when the island was successfully invaded by US forces July 1944.