The Unknown Story of the Peleliu Commander, Kunio Nakagawa

September 15 was the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu of 1944. The battle pitted an entrenched 10,900 troops of the Imperial Japanese Army against a much larger invading United States force. It is considered one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific for American forces, who eventually won but at a great cost.

There were a total of 9,615 US troop casualties for Peleliu, Angaur, and Ngesebus, with 1,656 dead. Ironically, and sadly, the fight has been called the "unnecessary battle" because intelligence gathered in the days before the battle determined that the Palau Islands could essentially be bypassed. 

In other words, the original rationale for seizing Peleliu — to protect General Douglas MacArthur's flank as he went on to land in the Philippines — was no longer valid. The limited number of Japanese aircraft in the Palaus were unable to do any damage and thus the islands did not need to be invaded.

Tragic Miscalculations

Unfortunately, the decision was made to continue with the invasion as preparations were so far along they could not easily be canceled. Another factor was hubris — the expectation held by most but not all of the US military leadership that Peleliu could be easily seized in "two or three days."

In fact, the battle lasted 74 days, about as long as the Battle of Okinawa which began six months later. Interestingly, Okinawa is 93 times larger than Peleliu, which suggests just how hard the defenders of Peleliu fought. 

Moreover, they were able to hold out as long due to the employment of a new strategy adopted at this time of attrition. It involved drawing the invading forces in deeper and punishing them severely for every inch of land they tried to seize.

There are many books in English about the Battle of Peleliu. Most reference the Japanese commander, IJA Colonel Kunio Nakagawa. However, they only marginally consider his role as until recently there has been little scholarship about him available in English. 

This commentary introduces briefly his life and times, based on my recent book, The Necessary Commander and the Unnecessary Fight: Colonel Nakagawa Kunio and the Battle of Peleliu. 

Nakagawa's Upbringing and Education

Nakagawa was born on January 23, 1898, in Tamana County, Kumamoto Prefecture. His father, Bunjiro, was a schoolteacher from a samurai family, and his mother, Maru (née Okamatsu), also came from a samurai lineage. Her father was a doctor. 

Nakagawa was raised in a strict household that emphasized resilience, discipline, and traditional values. His father, influenced by his battle experiences in the Shinpuren Rebellion, believed in raising strong, tough sons. 

This upbringing was reflected in Bunjiro's strict parenting methods, such as throwing Kunio into a river to teach him toughness when he was just five or six years old.

Nakagawa's early education began at Nankan Daiichi Primary School, which he attended from April 1904, just after the start of the Russo-Japanese War. He later entered Tamana Secondary School, where he boarded in the nearby village of Ishinuki. 

At school, Nakagawa joined the kendo (Japanese fencing) club, a passion he had developed in primary school. He practiced under Yuji Oasa, a well-known teacher in the region. His personality was described as unyielding and focused on justice and fairness.

Though Nakagaawa initially considered becoming a teacher like his father and eldest brother, Nakagawa ultimately chose a military career. The nationalistic atmosphere following the Russo-Japanese War and the financial support that came with attending the Imperial Japanese Army Academy played a role in his decision. 

Despite his father's reluctance, Nakagawa convinced him to grant permission after a thoughtful discussion about the seriousness of becoming an officer. He entered the Academy in 1916, beginning his military journey.

Nakagawa's Military Career

Nakagawa passed the entrance exam for the Imperial Japanese Army Academy after a year of military service in the 48th Infantry Regiment in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. After completing the Academy's rigorous training in 1918, Nakagawa was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

He was sent to Taiwan, then under Japanese control. His early career was uneventful, but he developed a reputation for discipline and care for his men. These qualities would define his leadership throughout his military service.

In the 1920s, Nakagawa served in Taiwan and Northern Manchuria before being promoted to captain in 1926. During this time, he was also assigned as a military instructor at a high school in Yame. There,  he became known for his commitment to the students and for fostering discipline in both military and extracurricular activities. After his time as an instructor, he returned to active service, taking command of a company in the 48th Infantry Regiment.

Rising Through the Ranks

Nakagawa's leadership during the 1930s solidified his reputation. He was promoted to major in 1935 and took command of the 1st Battalion, 79th Infantry Regiment, stationed in Korea. He participated in the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and displayed bravery and tactical skill in Northern China.

His performance earned him the respect of his superiors. This led to his promotion to lieutenant colonel in 1939, following his graduation from a specialized course at the Army's General Staff College.

In 1943, Nakagawa was promoted to colonel and given command of the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the 14th Division, stationed in Northern Manchuria. His regiment was later deployed to Peleliu in 1944. He knew when they were being deployed that it would be a one-way journey.

Assignment to Peleliu

Initially assigned to Angaur, Nakagawa was later tasked with defending Peleliu, the most strategically important island due to its airfield. 

Upon arrival, Nakagawa meticulously prepared for the impending US invasion by fortifying the island's rugged terrain. He implemented a defensive strategy focused on attrition, using caves, tunnels, and hidden positions to delay the enemy. These preparations turned Peleliu into a deadly battleground, leading to a prolonged and costly battle for the US forces, as described earlier.

Importantly, prior to the battle, Nakagawa evacuated all the local civilians from the island, thus sparing their lives and earning their eternal gratitude.

Nakagawa and his advisor eventually took their own lives, rather than being captured, on November 24. Before they died, they sent the coded message, "Sakura, Sakura," indicating that the end of the battle was near. 

Nakagawa Today

Fifty years later, their remains were discovered and Nakagawa's widow, Mitsue, was informed. She decided to leave them there, as she believed her husband would want to stay where his men died. 

Nine years after his death in November 1953, Nakagawa's widow had a stone grave (minus his remains) erected in Kumamoto City. In November 2012, a white memorial tablet was erected by admirers of Nakagawa next to his grave describing his accomplishments. Since then, every November 24, a ceremony is held there to honor his life and service. 

I had the opportunity to visit the gravesite and help clean it along with Former Vice Minister of Education Kyoko Nishikawa, from Kumamoto Prefecture, before the ceremony in 2023. Nakagawa and his wife (who passed away in 2002 at the age of 98) did not have any children, but they do have many fans.

I became one of them after learning his story of sacrifice and selflessness. Even the US Marines came to grudgingly respect him and his forces during the battle. That is probably the greatest testimony to his leadership and abilities.

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Author: Robert D Eldridge

Eldridge is the author of "The Necessary Commander and the Unnecessary Fight: Colonel Nakagawa Kunio and the Battle of Peleliu" (Reed International, 2024) and the former political advisor to the Marine Corps in Japan.