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Photo # NH 81559: Lt. Joichi Tomonaga, IJN

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- JAPAN --

Lieutenant Joichi Tomonaga, Imperial Japanese Navy, (___-1942)

Joichi Tomonaga was air unit commander of the carrier Hiryu during the Battle of Midway. On 4 June 1942, he led the morning attack on the U.S. base at Midway, and the afternoon torpedo attack on USS Yorktown (CV-5). He was killed in action during the latter attack, which succeeded in hitting the U.S. carrier with two torpedoes, causing her abandonment.

This page features our only picture of Lt. Joichi Tomonaga, and provides a related image and links to others.

For views of the two Battle of Midway attacks led by Lt. Tomonaga, see::

  • Japanese Air Attack on Midway, 4 June 1942; and
  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Approach Yorktown.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 81559

    Lieutenant Joichi Tomonaga
    , Imperial Japanese Navy

    Portrait photograph, taken circa the early 1940s.
    Lt. Tomonaga was Hiryu Air Group Commander during the Battle of Midway and was killed in action leading the torpedo attack on USS Yorktown (CV-5) on 4 June 1942.

    Collection of Captain Roger Pineau, USNR, 1975. He had obtained the photograph from Mrs. Tomonaga.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 560 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-66154

    Grumman F4F-4 "Wildcat" Fighter
    (Bureau # 5171),
    of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3)

    At Naval Air Station, Kaneohe, Oahu, on 29 May 1942, with ground crewmen folding the starboard wing.
    On 4 June 1942, in the Battle of Midway, this plane was flown by Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, VF-3's Commanding Officer, during the afternoon combat air patrol defending USS Yorktown (CV-5), wherein Thach probably shot down Lieutenant Joichi Tomonaga, leader of the attacking Japanese torpedo planes.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 595 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     


    For views of the two Battle of Midway attacks led by Lt. Tomonaga, see::

  • Japanese Air Attack on Midway, 4 June 1942; and
  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Approach Yorktown.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 4 May 1999
    Coding updated 3 May 2009