Question

Ensign Kiyoshi Ogawa, a pilot of Japan, died at age 22 when he conducted a kamikaze attack against the US aircraft carrier Bunker Hill in May 1945. In a letter to his father and mother, he expressed his feelings about his mission. Which statement characterizes Ogawa's feelings about his mission?

1) He was angry at his military leaders and their conduct of the war.
2) He felt betrayed by the emperor and those in power.
3) He was unsure he was brave enough to complete his mission.
4) He was proud that he was going to die for his country.

Answer 1

Ensign Kiyoshi Ogawa felt pride in dying for his country as part of his kamikaze mission during World War II, a sentiment in line with the Japanese military culture of that era.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that characterizes Ensign Kiyoshi Ogawa's feelings about his kamikaze mission would be that he was proud that he was going to die for his country. Throughout the Pacific War, particularly toward the end, as the Allies gained ground against Japan, the Japanese military became increasingly desperate to halt their advance. The kamikaze program exemplified the lengths to which some in the Japanese military would go, viewing sacrifice for the emperor and the nation as the highest honor.

The mentality of these young pilots was influenced by a culture that venerated martyrdom and the samurai code, which emphasized loyalty and honor until death. Ogawa's letter indicated that he, like many other kamikaze pilots, believed he was performing a noble and valiant act for the good of his country, accepting an ultimate sacrifice that aligned with strong currents of nationalism, honor, and duty pervasive in the Japanese military at the time.