Kunio Nakagawa

Colonel Kunio Nakagawa (中川 州男) was the commander of Japanese forces which defended the island of Peleliu in the Battle of Peleliu which took place from 15 September to 27 November, 1944. He inflicted heavy losses on attacking U.S. Marines and held Peleliu island for almost three months. On the evening of 24 November, after the battle was lost, he committed seppuku (ritual suicide) in the tradition of Japanese samurai warriors. He was posthumously promoted to lieutenant general for his valor displayed on Peleliu.