April 18, 1943 was the day the United States rid herself of Japanese Naval Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Yamamoto was the Commander in Chief of the Combined Japanese Navy, the man responsible for planning and executing the Japanese surprise attack on Pearle Harbor, December 7, 1941.

After studying in the US at Harvard University and taking an interest in the military, he was able to convince his contemporaries that a surprise attack would be Japan’s only advantage against the US. He also believed that Japan could not win a long term war against the United States. Yamamoto felt if the war went longer than six months Japan would not be able to defeat the United States. In this sense some considered Yamamoto an ally. There were those among the American military leaders who believed that Yamamoto would one day convince his contemporaries to stand down.

As he predicted, war efforts against the United States went well for Japan for several months, but then the tide turned. After several losses in the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal, Admiral Yamamoto decided to visit his troops as means of boosting their moral.

On April 14, 1943, United States decrypted a message from the Japanese outlining Admiral Yamamoto’s proposed tour, including arrival and departure times. A trip was to be made on April 18, 1943 to visit his troops at Ballale airfield off Bougainville. The United States decided to risk the knowledge of its decoding capabilities and execute an attack on Admiral Yamamoto’s convoy. This decision was jointly made by Admiral Nimitz and Commander Layton, and likely Naval Secretary Knox. It is important to note that Commander Layton and Admiral Yamamoto had a friendly relationship in peace time. The two attended social functions together while Layton functioned as an assistant naval attaché in Tokyo.

It was determined that the P-38 Lightnings were ideal for the task. They were better suited against the Japanese Zero’s at this range than the P-39, P-40 and P-47, as well as the Corsair. The P-38’s twin engines and noted ruggedness made them invaluable. On April 18, 1943 members of the 339th fighter squadron launched a surprise attack on Admiral Yamamoto. Traveling the four hundred and fifty plus miles to Ballale airfield, the combined army/navy team under direction of Army Commander John Mitchell, succeeded in striking 2 Japanese Betty bombers carrying Admiral Yamamoto and his staff. The six Zero’s traveling with the Admiral for his protection were not struck down. There remains controvery today of who actually shot down the Betty transporting Admiral Yamamoto.

The loss of their great leader devastated Japan. It was in fact so devastating that it was kept secret from the general population until May 21, 1943 when his cremated remains were brought ashore in Japan. The same event that brought Japan devastation brought renewed strength to the American military.

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