Nobutake Kondo graduated from the Etajima Naval College in 1907 ranked at the top of his class. That intellect earned him the reputation as a brilliant staff officer. He rapidly rose in the ranks and achieved flag rank as a Rear Admiral in 1935. After commanding battleships, carriers, and cruisers during the Japanese invasions of Southeast Asia and the Netherlands East Indies, Kondo continued his service when he commanded the Invasion Force (or Main Body) for Operation “MI” for the invasion of Midway in June 1942.

Kondo then commanded the cruisers and battleships at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in August 1942, which was a tactical stalemate. He then led the battleship Kirishima, four cruisers, and nine destroyers at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942.

When Yamamoto ordered the Tokyo Express in November 1942 to make another run down the slot to bombard Henderson Field, Kondo commanded a powerful force of two carriers, two battleships, four cruisers and 19 destroyers provide aerial cover for the Bombardment Force. However, that operation proved to be unsuccessful. Nevertheless, he personally led the battleship Kirishima plus four cruisers and nine destroyers to finish the blasting of the American airfield on Guadalcanal. American naval forces intercepted the Japanese ships and sank the Kirishima.

After the Americans evicted the Japanese from Guadalcanal in February 1943, he commanded the naval forces defending the Gilbert Islands in 1944. After commanding the China Area naval forces in 1945, he surrendered his ships to the British after the Japanese defeat. When the British fought Communist forces in Southeast Asia, he still commanded Japanese naval forces under British direction.

Kondo surrendered his sword to a British naval officer aboard the HMS Waveney in December 1945, returned to Japan, and started his own business. He passed away on January 19, 1953.

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