Tadamichi Kuribayashi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tadamichi Kuribayashi
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| Born | 7 July 1891 Nagano Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | c. 26 March 1945 (aged 53) Iwo Jima, Japan |
| Allegiance |  Empire of Japan |
| Service/ |
Empire of Japan Army |
| Years of service | 1911 – 1945 |
| Rank | General  |
| Unit | 1st Cavalry Brigade 2nd Guards Division 109th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Hong Kong * Battle of Iwo Jima † |
| Awards | Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (1967; posthumous) Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure Order of the Rising Sun with Gold and Silver Star (2nd class) Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (3rd class) |
General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (栗林 忠道 Kuribayashi Tadamichi, 7 July 1891 – c. 26 March 1945) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, part-time writer, haiku poet, diplomat, and commanding officer of the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff. He is best known for having been the overall commander of the Japanese garrison during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Even before the battle, General Kuribayashi insisted upon sharing the hardships of his men. He also refused to permit banzai charges, which he regarded as an unnecessary waste of his men's lives. The United States Marine Corps had expected to capture Iwo Jima in five days, but Kuribayashi and his men held out for 36 days. It is believed that Kuribayashi was killed in action in the final assault, but his body was never identified by the United States military.
In the 2006 film Letters from Iwo Jima, which depicts the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers, Kuribayashi is portrayed by Japanese actor Ken Watanabe.
