12 Facts About Sadamu Takahashi

Sadamu Takahashi was a dive bomber pilot officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

Sadamu Takahashi is best known for being the Zuikaku's dive bomber squadron during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

Sadamu Takahashi survived the war and later served in the Japan Self-Defense Forces retiring in 1970 with the rank of Vice Admiral.

Sadamu Takahashi enrolled in the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in April 1930 and graduated from the 61st class in November 1933.

In November 1938, Takahashi was promoted to full Lieutenant and was transferred to Ryujo in December, where he was appointed flight division leader in the dive bomber squadron.

In late August 1942, Lieutenant Sadamu Takahashi participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.

Sadamu Takahashi led 27 Aichi D3A dive bombers in the second strike wave against United States Navy fleet.

Sadamu Takahashi's strike was escorted by nine Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters led by Lieutenant Ayao Shirane.

Some D3A pilots in his group did receive the radio message but assumed that Sadamu Takahashi had received it too and said nothing.

In late October 1942, Lieutenant Sadamu Takahashi participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where he led 21 Aichi D3A dive bombers in the first strike wave against the US carriers.

Sadamu Takahashi was able to shake them off, but, in the process, his plane's rudder jammed, forcing him to abort the mission and turn over command.

Sadamu Takahashi survived the war and later served in Japan Self-Defense Forces from 1954 to 1970.