I just returned from the funeral memorial of Jimmie Matsuda; a pillar of my wife’s Japanese church in Santa Clara, CA. I knew Mr. Matsuda for some years and he would tell me that being a naval pilot was great because "The girls loved the white uniform!" He was well-known in the community and was interviewed, I’ve added some of the interviews below.

Jimmie was a US citizen, born in Oregon. His family returned to Japan before the war to visit family; he got sick and missed the return boat and stayed with his mother, his father returned to Oregon.

I thought forum members might be interested in a couple of his interviews in which he talks about the military and his pilot training; just before deploying to Okinawa with his squadron, he was held back because they found out he was fluent in English and wanted him to translate fliers dropped from American planes.

Joining the Japanese Air Force

Training as a kamikaze pilot

Prestige of being a Kamikaze pilot

Jimmie had about 20 flight-hours in a 2-seater Zero, and contrary to the standard joke, he learned how to land! (^__^)

Parents’ pride in son’s military service

The pressures felt by kamikaze pilots

–Guy

Attached Images