小林保平

War record

1939 graduated from the Naval Academy with the 67th class → 1942.6 completed 〔the 36th flight training course〕 and was posted to the Shōkaku fighter unit → 1942.10.26 his first action was flying combat air patrol at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands → transferred as division leader to the Tsuiki Naval Air Group → 1943.2 back to Shōkaku as division leader, working up formation air combat and fighter-bombing at Truk → 1943.11 transferred as squadron leader to Hiyō → moved up to Rabaul at the end of 1944.1 and fought day after day at the head of his men until the unit pulled back to Truk in mid-February → 1944.3 division leader, 〔652nd Naval Air Group〕 → 1944.6.19 the Battle of the Philippine Sea, off the Marianas: as commander of the air-superiority unit of the 2nd Carrier Division he set out against the US carrier task force, failed to find it and was surprised by a large force of Grummans; 小林's unit put itself between the enemy and the attack force and its aircraft were shot down one after another, and Lieutenant 小林 himself was hit and ditched, but was rescued → sortied for the Battle off the Philippines as leader of the rebuilt Zuikaku fighter unit → 1944.10.25 he flew combat air patrol over the fleet, and that night went down with his ship, Zuikaku.