Rear Admiral Ruitaro Fujita
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Background
Ruitaro Fujita was born 1887 and became an officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN).

Wartime History
During 1941, commander of the 11th Carrier Division, 3rd Fleet. On February 8, 1942 commanded the Makassar Invasion Force that landed at Makassar on Celebes.

During May 1942, commander of the Seaplane Tender Group assigned to Operation "M" Midway Island Invasion Force attached to the 2nd Fleet. Afterwards, promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.

In March 1943, commander of Headquarters, 7 Naval Base Force at Lae in New Guinea. On March 20, 1943 he ordered the execution of two Prisoners Of War (POW) FLTLT William Ellis Newton and Sgt John Lyon captured after ditching DB-7B Boston A28-3. He personally witnessed the execution of Lyon near Lae Airfield who was executed using a rifle with fixed bayonet and buried in a shallow grave.

During November 1943, became Commander of Tsingtao Special Base Force at Tsingtao in China. During 1945, Commander of South China Fleet at Hong Kong until the end of the Pacific War.

On September 16, 1945 at Government House in Hong Kong surrendered to Royal Navy Rear Admiral Sir Cecil H. J. Harcourt. During the surrender ceremony, Fujita signed on behalf of the Navy. Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Major General U. Okada signed on behalf of the Army. After signing, both surrender their swords to Rear Admiral Harcourt. The ceremony was witnessed by Admiral Fraser, commander in chief of the British Pacific Fleet and officers from the United States, Canada and China.

Fate
Afterwards, Fujita became a Prisoner Of War (POW) and was returned to Japan where he was charged with war crimes and awaiting trail. On April 15, 1947 Fujita died in Japan at age 60. His death certificate states he died of uraemic posioning cause by kidney atrophy. For three years prior, he was suffering from kidney disease.

References
Wings of Destiny (2008) page 281 (ordered execution of Newton and Lyon), 285 (war crimes and death)

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