Chuichi Nagumo

The success of our surprise attack on Pearl Harbor will prove to be the Waterloo of the war to follow. For this reason the Imperial Navy is massing the cream of its strength in ships and planes to assure success.

Chuichi Nagumo (25 March 1887 – 6 July 1944) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, overseeing the attack on Pearl Harbor. On July 6, during the last stages of the Battle of Saipan, Nagumo committed suicide; not in the traditional method of seppuku, but rather a pistol to the temple. His remains were later found by American Marines in the cave where he spent his last days as the commander of the Saipan defenders. He was posthumously promoted to admiral.

Quotes

• Mr. Chief of Staff [Ryunosuke Kusaka], what do you think? I feel that I've undertaken a heavy responsibility. If I had only been more firm and refused. Now we've left home waters and I'm beginning to wonder if the operation will work.
  • Quoted in "Day of Infamy" - Page 17 - by Walter Lord - History - 2001

• I have lived in the United States and I know the might of their industrial complex. The United States is a sleeping giant and I am afraid that our attack has awakened it.
  • Quoted in "Energy Technology XI: Applications and Economics" - Page 988 - Richard F. Hill - Science - 1975

• The success of our surprise attack on Pearl Harbor will prove to be the Waterloo of the war to follow. For this reason the Imperial Navy is massing the cream of its strength in ships and planes to assure success.
  • Quoted in "American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur" - by William Manchester - 1978 - Page 195

• I-uh-have the utmost respect for Yamamoto-san. If it had not been for him, there would be no naval aviation. However-the most brilliant man can occasionally make a mistake.
  • Quoted in "The Rise and Fall of the Japanese Empire" - Page 12 - by I. G. Edmonds, Gary Gordon - 1962