"Military Funeral for a Kamikaze Pilot" Topic

A Japanese pilot slammed his Zero fighter plane into the USS Missouri and ignited a fireball on April 11, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. The suicide attack instantly killed the pilot, but none of the battleship's crew members were badly hurt…

Military: link

It's a fascinating story, but I would guess it was a unique occasion: how many bodies of deceased Japanese flyers were ever recovered onboard a US ship? Most were probably destroyed in the air or, if successful, destroyed in the resulting explosion and fire. I doubt this funeral on the Missouri had a precedent, so it's all the more remarkable.

I appreciate why combatants will treat their enemies, living or dead, in a savage manner. Add to this the alien kamikaze tactic & you would expect the body to be unceremoniously dumped over the side. So it is an amazing and very creditable action the captain of the 'Missouri' took.

I agree with ochoin, but it might have been different if there had actually been US casualties, human nature being what it is.

I'm not taking away from the credit due to Capt. William Callaghan but I'm trying to think of additional motivations for his actions.

Would ordering a formal burial ceremony be an attempt to underline the civilised behaviour of the US in contrast to Japanese fanaticism? Remind the "Missouri's" sailors what they're fighting for?

+1 Will. Warner

Thanks for sharing. Even in the worst of times, Humanity shines through.

Of course, there would have been no funeral if the damage control crews had tossed the body overboard.

The credit probably goes to some anonymous sailors.