Tadamichi Kuribayashi
Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (1891 - circa March 22, 1945) was the commander of the Japanese garrison at Iwo Jima during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Kuribayashi came from a samurai family. Starting in 1928, he spent two years as military attaché in Washington. While there, he observed the industrial power of America.
In June 1944, he was hand-picked by Emperor Hirohito to lead the garrison. The night before he left, he was given a private meeting with the Emperor, who told him that it was critical that the American not take Iwo Jima.
The Americans landed on February 16. Kuribayashi urged that his troops should kill ten americans or one tank each. He refused to let them participate in suicidal banzai charges. instead preferring to use them in attrition style warfare.
"We are still fighting", Kuribayashi radioed on March 22. "The strength under my command is now about four hundred. Tanks are attacking us. The enemy suggested we surrender through loudspeaker, but our officers and men just laughed and payed no attention. It was Kuribayashi's last dispatch. His body was never found." (James Bradley, Flags of Our Fathers, 245).