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KAWATO, Masajiro (1925-2008). Fighter pilot with the Imperial Japanese Navy. He flew 35 combat missions. Great Japanese WWII Ace. Credited with 19 victories. Shot down Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington which was Kawato’s 13th victory. Kawato was shot down 5 times. The last time he was shot down he landed in the sea and was captured and delivered to an Australian POW camp. Kawato was declared dead by the Japanese military and a funeral was held. Three and one half years later he returned home and visited the altar where his funeral services were held. Tom Bradley, Mayor of Los Angeles awarded Kawato a special commendation for courageously spanning the Pacific Ocean in a solo flight from Tokyo to Crescent City, California. The flight covered more than 5,000 miles in thirty-five hours and 15 minutes. This flight established a goodwill gesture between Japan and the United States. Kawato’s book BYE BYE BLACK SHEEP, Printing Dynamics, Inc. 1978, Seventh printing. 172 pages with illustrations. A very lengthy and important presentation inscription, signed in both English and Japanese and dated. “May 15 1988 To: Jim Duffy (adding a line in Japanese) Best Wishes, Hot blood Jap Zero Ace Mike Kawato, signed once again in Japanese. These books have sold as high as $2,700 on ebay. In very fine condition with dust jacket...........$150.00
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