James E Auer Honored in Memorial Service at Sea as 'A Bridge Between Nations'

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On July 12, a memorial service was held for James E Auer, a United States Navy officer and scholar who dedicated his life to strengthening the Japan-US alliance. He passed away on May 16, 2024, at the age of 82 in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Auer made continuous contributions to US-Japan security policy, leveraging the extensive network and knowledge he gained during his time in the US Navy. He was also a prominent member of The Sankei Shimbun's Seiron column and won the Seiron Prize in 2015, becoming the first foreigner to receive it.

Ceremony at Sea

The ceremony was held off the coast of Maizuru City in Kyoto Prefecture, marking the first-ever joint burial at sea of an American by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the US Navy. Auer had requested in his will that his ashes be scattered at sea by a JMSDF minesweeper in the Sea of Japan. About 60 family members and others influenced by his work attended the service.

The ceremony took place on the deck of the JMSDF minesweeper tender, JS Bungo. Surrounded by his eldest son and family, Auer's urn was quietly cast into the Sea of Japan, under the Stars and Stripes held by JMSDF personnel.

With his extensive experience in the US Navy and research on the JMSDF, Auer made significant contributions to minesweeping operations. This made the setting especially fitting for honoring his legacy. 

Tributes from Key Figures

At the ceremony, Admiral Akira Saito, Chief of Staff of the JMSDF, praised Auer's former students. He noted that they now play a central role in Japan's maritime defense strategy. Rear Admiral Ian Johnson, Commander of the US Navy in Japan, also expressed his sorrow at Auer's passing. Auer was a trusted bridge between the US Navy and the JMSDF, he proclaimed.

Akihisa Nagashima, one of Auer's former students, also spoke. He is now Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on national security. Nagashima praised Auer for "directly addressing critical issues, such as the legal framework for collective defense and the role of US forces stationed in Japan." He also highlighted Auer's significant contributions to the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Author: Hideki Yoshimura, The Sankei Shimbun

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