Lieutenant Junior Grade Hiroyoshi Nishizawa was a Japanese naval aviator and an ace of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II. Nishizawa was known to his colleagues as 'the Devil' for his breathtaking, brilliant, and unpredictable aerobatics and superb control of his aircraft while in combat. He was a member of the Tainan Kōkūtai's famous "clean up trio" with fellow aces Saburō Sakai and Toshio Ōta and would see action in the New Guinea campaign as well as in the aerial battles over Guadalcanal and over the Solomon Islands. He was killed in 1944 during the Philippines Campaign while aboard an IJN transport aircraft. It is possible that he was the most successful Japanese fighter ace of the war, reportedly telling his last CO that he had achieved a tally of 86 or 87 aerial victories- post war he was linked with scores of 147 or 103, but both of these scores have been considered inaccurate.
Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Japanese lieutenant and pilot (born 1920)
On October 26, in the year 1944, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Japanese lieutenant and pilot (born 1920). This event is recorded as a Notable Deaths event in the history of October 26, one of 445 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including Hiroyoshi Nishizawa. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on October 26, 1944 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Deaths event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 12 October 2026.
On This Date in History 445
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