Kaname Harada
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) A6M2 Zero pilot Sōryū and Hiyō

Background
Kaname Harada joined the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a Lieutenant (junior grade) as a A6M2 Zero pilot. During September 1941 assigned to Sōryū.

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 took off from Sōryū on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over the fleet during the Japanese attack on Pear Harbor and Oahu. On April 5, 1942 took off from Sōryū on a fighter sweep over Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and claimed five Royal Air Force (RAF) planes shot down. On June 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway after Sōryū was sunk, ditched and was rescued. Afterwards, assigned to Hiyō.

On October 17, 1942 took off from Hiyō piloting A6M2 Zero Tail D1-1?? escorting B5N2 Kates on a mission against Henderson Field and shipping off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. Over Guadalcanal, the Zeros engaged F4F Wildcats from VMF-121. During the dogfight, Harada engaged in a head-on pass with F4F Wildcat piloted by William Freeman with both aircraft firing. Harada was hit by gunfire and damaged and wounded in the arm. Damaged, he attempted to crash land in what appeared to be a flat field near Cape Esperance, but while landing hit a palm tree that ripped off a wing and caused his Zero to crash upside down.

References
Enemy Pilots Meet as Friends by Marcus Perkins April 2002 (via Wayback Machine)
Legacy of October 17, 1942 Mission (2006) by Justin Taylan
Beyond Pearl Harbor (2008) "Head-on Duel Over Guadalcanal"

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