As a young naval officer, Isoroku Yamamoto (1884—1943) spent considerable time in America, first as a student at Harvard University and later while serving as a military attaché in Washington. He was impressed by the country’s industrial capacity and understood the strategic advantages of such unrivaled production means. By the time Yamamoto advanced to command the Japanese Combined Fleet, his experiences in the United States had become profoundly influential to his decision making.

Aware America’s resources and manufacturing power were simply too much to overcome, Yamamoto harbored private doubts Japan could prevail in a prolonged conflict. As the rivaling countries crept closer to war, he crafted a plan to strike the US Pacific Fleet at anchor, crippling the American Navy in the short-term and clearing a path for territorial gains. He had early success, but Yamamoto understood far better than others that the United States would not be subdued for long.

Throughout his early victories and later setbacks, Yamamoto remained the most iconic and consequential figure in the Japanese military. In April 1943, decoded intercepts revealed details of his arranged visit to forward bases in the South Pacific. With approval from the highest levels, eighteen P-38 Lightning long-range fighter planes ambushed Yamamoto’s transport plane and escorts, killing the revered admiral. The shootdown deprived the Imperial Navy of its most accomplished and irreplaceable leader and delivered a deflating blow to Japanese naval operations in the Pacific.