Junichi Sasai

Junichi Sasai
Sasai in May 1941
Native name
笹井醇一
Nickname(s)"Prince of Rabaul"
"Shamo" (Gamecock)
Born(1918-02-13)February 13, 1918
Tokyo, Japan
DiedAugust 26, 1942(1942-08-26) (aged 24)
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
Buried
Allegiance Empire of Japan
Service / branch Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJN)
Years of service1936–1942
Rank Lieutenant commander (posthumous)
UnitTainan Air Group
Battles / wars
AwardsOrder of the Golden Kite

Lieutenant Commander Junichi Sasai (笹井 醇一, Sasai Jun'ichi, February 13, 1918 – August 26, 1942) was a Japanese naval aviator and fighter ace of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Sasai was killed leading his fighter squadron during an attack on Henderson Field during the Battle of Guadalcanal.