Japanese Imperial Navy Admiral. A career naval officer, Rear Admiral Goto was a major figure in the Pacific at the beginning of World War II. In September 1941, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto leader of the Combined Fleet, appointed Goto in command of Cruiser Division 6 (CruDiv6). His force included the ships Aoba (Goto‘s flag ship), Furutaka, Kako, Kinugasa and supplied the muscle for Japanese naval assault operations. In December 1941, his CruDiv6 supported the assault on Wake Island in which Japanese troops were able to capture the island from United States forces. He also commanded the main element for the Invasion of Tulagi and Battle of the Coral Sea, both in May 1942. Goto's CruDiv6 supported Japanese operations during the first months of the Solomon Islands Campaign, that resulted in the sinking of four Allied cruisers at the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942. On the night of October 11, 1942, cruisers of CruDiv6 approached Guadalcanal to bombard the Allied airbase at Henderson Field. Goto's force was surprised by a force of U.S. cruisers and destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral Norman Scott. In the resulting Battle of Cape Esperance, Admiral Goto was mortally wounded onboard the Aoba and died the next day.
Japanese Imperial Navy Admiral. A career naval officer, Rear Admiral Goto was a major figure in the Pacific at the beginning of World War II. In September 1941, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto leader of the Combined Fleet, appointed Goto in command of Cruiser Division 6 (CruDiv6). His force included the ships Aoba (Goto‘s flag ship), Furutaka, Kako, Kinugasa and supplied the muscle for Japanese naval assault operations. In December 1941, his CruDiv6 supported the assault on Wake Island in which Japanese troops were able to capture the island from United States forces. He also commanded the main element for the Invasion of Tulagi and Battle of the Coral Sea, both in May 1942. Goto's CruDiv6 supported Japanese operations during the first months of the Solomon Islands Campaign, that resulted in the sinking of four Allied cruisers at the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942. On the night of October 11, 1942, cruisers of CruDiv6 approached Guadalcanal to bombard the Allied airbase at Henderson Field. Goto's force was surprised by a force of U.S. cruisers and destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral Norman Scott. In the resulting Battle of Cape Esperance, Admiral Goto was mortally wounded onboard the Aoba and died the next day.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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