Message from the Bishop: “Reflection on the 80th Anniversary of the Kamikaze Attack and Burial on the USS Missouri”
Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani
April 2025 Headquarters Update newsletter
On April 11, 2025, I had the honor of attending and offering the Invocation and Benediction at the 80th Anniversary of the Kamikaze Attack and Burial on the USS Missouri. This solemn event, hosted by the USS Missouri Memorial Association, served as a time of remembrance and reconciliation, marking eight decades since a significant moment in the Battle of Okinawa.
In April 1945, a kamikaze aircraft struck the Missouri, causing damage and loss. Amidst the wreckage, part of the plane and the body of the young Japanese pilot landed on the main deck. In a remarkable act of compassion, then-Captain William Callaghan ordered that the pilot be given a proper burial at sea in accordance with naval tradition. Despite being an enemy combatant, the pilot was treated with dignity and respect—an extraordinary gesture that has continued to resonate through generations.
At the anniversary ceremony, we were joined by the descendants of Captain Callaghan, including his grandson, Mr. Carey Callaghan, who shared: “My grandfather’s decision — controversial at the time, and maybe even today – was a humble one rooted in empathy, a sense of dignity, and a vision of the future that was a part of who he was every day.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also offered his reflections, stating:
This moment of remembrance stands as a testament to the power of reconciliation and the strength of peace. Captain Callaghan chose to respond not with hatred, but with honor and respect. That act of compassion continues to teach us that dignity and respect are not weakened by war; they are strengthened through understanding and forgiveness.
As part of my Invocation and Benediction, I shared these thoughts:
Despite the extreme conditions of the battlefield, there existed profound respect and compassion for an individual who sacrificed his life. This compassionate act transcended national borders, ideologies, and conflicting emotions. All lives are equally embraced by the Light of the Buddha’s Great Compassion. While conflicts rage globally, people tend to alienate those with differing values, and I feel an urgent concern as divisions and isolation continue to grow. I sincerely hope that everyone gathered here today, both young and old, reflects on the power of compassion that enfolds all lives, nurtures a sense of oneness of all lives within our hearts, and walks together toward the realization of a society in which everyone can live a life of spiritual fulfillment. May we each return to our communities with a renewed commitment to practice compassion, uphold dignity, and foster mutual understanding and peace.
The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying, followed by the scattering of flower petals by all participants — a quiet yet powerful act of tribute, memory, and hope for peace.
Toshiyuki Umitani
Bishop, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii