Vice Admiral Takahide Aioi (相生高秀, Aioi Takahide, January 4, 1912 – March 6, 1993) was commander of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as well as an ace fighter pilot in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific theater of World War II. In aerial combat over China and the Pacific, he was officially credited with destroying 10 enemy aircraft.

Takahide Aioi
Aioi while with the Ōita Air Group in 1940 or 1941
BornJanuary 4, 1912
Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
DiedMarch 6, 1993(1993-03-06) (aged 81)
Allegiance Empire of Japan
 Japan
Service / branch Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Years of serviceIJN: 1933-1945
JMSDF: -July 1, 1967
RankIJN: Commander
JMSDF: Vice Admiral
CommandsIJN: Vice commander of the 343rd Air Group
JMSDF: Commander of the Fleet Submarine Force, Commander in Chief of the Self Defense Fleet
Battles / wars
AwardsOrder of the Rising Sun (3rd Class)
Order of the Sacred Treasure (4th Class)
Order of the Golden Kite (5th Class)

During the Pacific campaign of World War II, Aioi participated in the conquest of the Philippines as a pilot aboard the aircraft carrier Ryūjō. Later, he served as a group leader in the 202 Air Group in the Solomon Islands Campaign. Aioi experienced the Battle of Leyte Gulf aboard the carrier Zuikaku in 1944. He ended the war as executive officer of the 343 Air Group in Japan.

In 1954, Aioi joined the JMSDF, eventually rising to the rank of vice admiral.

References

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  • Hata, Ikuhiko; Yasuho Izawa (1989) [1975]. Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II. Translated by Don Cyril Gorham. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-315-6.
 
Aioi at Hankou, China in 1938 while with the 12th Air Group