大森茂高

War record

1933.5 entered the navy → 1936.9 graduated from the 33rd pilot trainee (the Pilot Trainee Course (Sōren)) class → 1938.2 posted to the 〔13th Naval Air Group〕 (Central China front); 2.25 the attack on Nanchang (his first score) → March transferred to the 〔12th Naval Air Group〕 (the Central China air fighting through December) → Akagi, 〔Tsukuba Naval Air Group〕, Ōminato Naval Air Group → aboard Hōshō when the war opened → 1942.5 transferred to Akagi → June, the Battle of Midway (as a section leader of Akagi's fighter unit, escorting the first attack wave, he shot down two F4Fs; back over the carrier on patrol he shared in six kills but was hit, and with Akagi ablaze he landed aboard Hiryū) → he took off again from Hiryū for patrol over the carriers; Hiryū too was bombed and set on fire, and after flying until his fuel ran out he ditched near the light cruiser Nagara and was picked up → after returning to the homeland he was transferred to Shōkaku → 1942.10.26 the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (as a section leader he shot down five enemy dive-bombers, then rammed an aircraft about to drop its bomb on Shōkaku and was killed; posthumously promoted two ranks to special-duty ensign, aviation).