松村百人

War record

1934 entered the navy (maintenance rating) → 1935.11 graduated from the 29th pilot trainee (the Pilot Trainee Course (Sōren)) class (transferred to the fighter-pilot branch) → 1937 posted to the 〔12th Naval Air Group〕 (moved up to Shanghai) → December the 〔13th Naval Air Group〕 → 1938.3 the 〔12th Naval Air Group〕 again (the air fighting over the continent) → 1938.2.25 the air battle over Nanchang (his first combat; flying as No.3 to PO1c 新井友吉, he shot down seven single-handed, three of them unconfirmed) → 5.31 the air battle over Hankou (in 吉富's squadron; three shot down) → 1939.1 joined Akagi → instructor at Iwakuni and Ōita naval air groups → 1942.7 posted to the 〔6th Naval Air Group〕 → late August flew up to Rabaul → 1943.4 promoted to Flight Warrant Officer (Flight Warrant Officer) and returned to the homeland (he had played a leading part in the Guadalcanal operation and the interception fighting at Buin and Munda) → instructor at Iwakuni, Suzuka and Kōnoike naval air groups → 1944.8 attached to Fighter Squadron 161 of the 〔601st Naval Air Group〕 (the rebuilt carrier force) → October, the Shō operation (sortied from the western Inland Sea) → 10.24-25, the Battle of Leyte Gulf (escorting the carrier Zuikaku; when Zuikaku sank he ditched and was rescued by the destroyer Hatsuzuki) → that night Hatsuzuki was surrounded by a US force and sunk; he went missing together with the squadron leader and others and was officially declared killed in action.