大石芳男

War record

Born in Shizuoka; passed into the Otsu 9th Yokaren class in 1938.6 and entered the 〔Yokosuka Naval Air Group〕 → 1941.10 completed the flight trainee course and was posted to the 〔Omura Naval Air Group〕 → at the end of 1942.7 joined Zuikaku and went out into the Solomons → 1942.10.26 first air combat at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (nine shared victories) → at the end of 1943.1, sent to Rabaul in support of the withdrawal from Guadalcanal (offensive sorties against Guadalcanal on 2.1, 2.4 and 2.7) → 1943.4 moved up to Rabaul again for Operation "I" (two shot down) → 1943.11.1 moved up to Rabaul; from 11.2 to 11.11, daily offensive sorties against Torokina and interceptions → moved to Roi in the Marshall Islands → the unit was wiped out in the air battle of 1943.12.5 and he returned home → instructor at the Ōita and 〔Tsukuba Naval Air Groups〕 → 1944.6 posted to Fighter Squadron 302 of the 〔252nd Naval Air Group〕 → 1944.10, with Operation Shō, moved up to the Philippines; one shot down in the general attack of 10.24 → 1945.1 fell back to Taiwan and transferred to the 〔205th Naval Air Group〕; the Okinawa battle, attached to a special-attack unit → 1945.5.4 he took off alone to confirm the results of an attack and went missing; officially declared killed in action and promoted two ranks to Lieutenant j.g.