Vice Admiral Jinichi Kusaka
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), Commander South East Area Fleet

Background
Jinichi Kusaka (草鹿 任一 was born December 7, 1888 in Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan. His name is also spelled Jin-Ichi Kusaka in English sources. He attended the Imperial Japanese Navy Academy graduating 21st in his class and served as a midshipman aboard cruiser Soya and cruiser Chiyoda. Commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as an as Ensign and was assigned to cruiser Tokiwa then battleship Aki. During November 1935 as a Captain, became commander of Battleship Fusō until December 1936. On November 15, 1940 promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral.

Wartime History
On December 24, 1942 became commander of the Southeast Area Fleet at Rabaul in command of all Naval forces in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In early April 1943, during Operation I-Go he we photographed with Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. During July 1943 presented a sword to night fighter pilot PO1c Shigetoshi Kudo for shooting down six Allied bombers over Rabaul. Although cut off from resupply and isolated at Rabaul Kusaka remained until the end of the Pacific War.

On September 6, 1945 aboard HMS Glory (R62) Vice Admiral Kusaka representing the Navy and Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) General Hitoshi Imamura representing the Army signed the instrument of surrender to officially surrender Rabaul and all Japanese forces under their control on New Britain and the Solomon Islands.

Postwar
Im 1958, Kusaka's memoirs were published, Nothing New on the Rabaul Front.

Fate
Kusaka passed away on August 24, 1972 at aged 83.

Relatives
Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka (cousin) also served in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and was eventually promoted to the rank of Admiral.

References
Admiral Jinichi Kusaka Nothing New on the Rabaul Front (1958) memoirs of Kusaka
FindAGrave - Adm Jinichi Kusaka (photo)

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