Destroyer Hatsuzuki

Hatsuzuki was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 25 July 1941, launched 3 April 1942, and commissioned 29 December 1942. As the fourth of the Akizuki-class, she shared the same powerful anti-aircraft armament as her sisters: eight 100mm dual-purpose guns and a Type 21 early-warning radar on her foremast. In October 1944 she was assigned to Vice Admiral Ozawa's Northern Force (decoy force) in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. During the Battle off Cape Engaño on 25 October 1944, while the other Japanese ships fled, Hatsuzuki remained behind to rescue survivors of the sunken carriers. She was set upon by four U.S. cruisers and at least nine destroyers. Rather than flee, Hatsuzuki turned to fight, engaging the overwhelming force for approximately two hours and covering the escape of the ships carrying the carriers' survivors. She was eventually overwhelmed and sunk by gunfire. Of her crew of about 300, only 8 men survived, in a boat cast off with Zuikaku survivors just before the fight. Her sacrifice became one of the most celebrated acts of valour in the IJN's final year.