菅野直

War record

Born in Miyagi Prefecture; graduated from the Naval Academy with the 70th class in December 1941; completed 〔the 38th flight training course〕 in September 1943 → 1944.4 moved into the inner South Seas as division leader of the 〔343rd Naval Air Group〕 (first formation) → July, division leader and then squadron leader of Fighter Squadron 306, 〔201st Naval Air Group〕 (fierce air fighting over Yap and the Philippines; in the July interceptions of B-24s over Yap more than sixty aircraft were shot down or damaged, and he himself carried out a ramming attack, for which the unit was commended) → in October, when the first Kamikaze Special Attack Corps was formed, he was the intended leader, but he was back in the home islands collecting aircraft and Lieutenant 関 was named in his place → led boldly in the Philippine air battles (in the air battle over Marinduque on 27 October he led a mixed force of seventeen against sixteen Grumman F6Fs, and twelve were shot down); hit more than ten times, he shot down four (one unconfirmed) and got back → entering 1944 he went to the Atsugi Naval Air Group, then to Fighter Squadron 304 of the 〔203rd Naval Air Group〕 → the following April moved up to the northern Kuriles (air defence) → six months later moved to southern Kyushu; in October, with Operation Shō, he sortied for the air battle off Taiwan and moved via Taiwan to Bamban base in the Philippines on the 22nd, flying escort for attacks on enemy shipping, the Leyte offensive and interceptions over the base day after day → killed in action on 6 November in an interception of US carrier aircraft over Bamban.