Shigematsu Sakaibara | |
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Admiral Shigematsu Sakaibara (seated second from left) signing the surrender of Wake Island aboard USS Levy on September 4, 1945
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Born |
Yamagata Prefecture, Japan |
December 28, 1898
Died | June 18, 1947 Guam, United States |
(aged 48)
Allegiance | Empire of Japan |
Service/branch | Imperial Japanese Navy |
Years of service | 1918-1945 |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands held | 65th Base Garrison (Wake Island) |
Battles/wars |
World War II Battle of Wake Island |
Shigematsu Sakaibara (酒井原 繁松 Sakaibara Shigematsu?, December 28, 1898 – June 18, 1947) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Japanese garrison commander on Wake Island during World War II.
A native of Yamagata prefecture in northern Japan, Sakaibara was a graduate of the 46th class of the Imperial Japanese Navy Academy in 1918, placing 36th in a class of 124. He served his midshipman tour on the cruiser Tokiwa, and after his commission as an ensign, was assigned to Hirado. He later served on the destroyer Kaba and battleship Mutsu.
As a sub-lieutenant, he served on the Iwate and after his promotion to lieutenant on December 1, 1924, he was assigned to the Hiei, Yura, and Sendai. He was chief gunnery officer on the Tatsuta. Promoted to lieutenant commander in 1930, he served as chief gunnery officer on Takao in 1934, followed by Mutsu in 1935. He was executive officer on Chikuma in 1939. After his promotion to captain in 1940, he served in a number of staff positions.