Shigematsu Sakaibara

Shigematsu Sakaibara
Sakaibara reads his final statement before being sentenced for ordering the Wake Island massacre (December 27, 1945)
Born(1898-12-28)December 28, 1898
DiedJune 19, 1947(1947-06-19) (aged 48)[1]
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Known forWake Island massacre
Criminal statusExecuted
Conviction(s)War crimes
Criminal penaltyDeath
Details
Victims98
DateOctober 7, 1943
Location(s)Wake Island
Target(s)American civilians
Military career
Allegiance Empire of Japan
Service / branch Imperial Japanese Navy
Years of service1918–1945
Rank Rear Admiral
Commands65th Base Garrison (Wake Island)
Battles / wars
The formal surrender of the Japanese garrison on Wake Island - 4 September 1945. Sakaibara is the Japanese officer in the right foreground.

Shigematsu Sakaibara (酒井原 繁松, Sakaibara Shigematsu, December 28, 1898 – June 19, 1947) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Japanese garrison commander on Wake Island during World War II, and a convicted war criminal. He was responsible for ordering the Wake Island massacre, in which 98 American civilians were murdered by Japanese soldiers. Following Japan's surrender, Sakaibara was tried for war crimes and executed for his involvement.

  1. ^ Nishida, Imperial Japanese Navy.