Tomoshige Samejima

Vice Admiral Baron Tomoshige Samejima was a member of the nobility in the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War Two.

Samejima graduated from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1909. At several points in his career, he served as a Gunnery Officer aboard various ships, and then as Executive Officer of heavy cruiser Haguro (30 November 1929 - 15 November 1930).

Promoted to Captain, he commanded light cruiser Kitakami (1 December 1932 - 14 March 1934), before becoming Chief Equipping Officer (14 November 1934 - 1 February 1935) and then first Commanding Officer of heavy cruiser Mogami (1 February 1935 - 15 November 1935). He then returned to heavy cruiser Haguro as her Commanding Officer (15 November 1935 - 1 December 1936) before becoming Commanding Officer of the battleship Nagato (1 December 1936 - 1 December 1937).

As a Rear Admiral, he commanded a carrier division (Carrier Division 4 (1 December 1937 - 1 August 1938)), followed by a cruiser division (CruDiv 13 (1 August 1938 - 1 September 1938)), and then a second carrier division (CarDiv 2 (1 September 1938 - 20 October 1939)). As a Vice Admiral, he spent much of the war in command of fleets (4th Fleet (26 October 1942 - 1 April 1943); 8th Fleet (1 April 1943 - 15 August 1945)).

Promotions

Midshipman - 19 November 1909

Ensign - 15 December 1910

Sublieutenant - 1 December 1912

Lieutenant - 13 December 1915

Lieutenant Commander - 1 December 1921

Commander - 1 December 1926

Captain - 1 December 1931

Rear Admiral - 1 December 1937

Vice Admiral - 15 October 1941

Titles

Baron - 5 December 1910