Kiyoshi Kondo
| Date and Place of Birth: | Unknown |
| Date and Place of Death: | April 28, 1945 Okinawa |
| Baseball Experience: | College |
| Position: | Catcher |
| Rank: | Unknown |
| Military Unit: | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Area Served: | Pacific |
Kiyoshi Kondo attended Waseda University where he played varsity
baseball. Kondo’s high school team had won the Summer Koshien Tournament
and he was a key player for Waseda in the Big 6 League, handling star
pitcher Eizo Matsui.
Waseda’s biggest baseball rival was Keio University and as the war
progressed, one last game between the two teams was arranged. Held on
October 16, 1943, at the Totsuka Stadium of Waseda University, this was
a send-off game held immediately before the mobilization of many
students into military service. Kondo played leftfield in that game and
contributed two hits to Waseda’s 10-1 win.
On May 28, 1944, Kondo’s batterymate, Matsui, was killed in action in
China. "After putting my full effort into my remaining year at
university,” pledged Kondo, “I will seek revenge for the death of my
dear friend."
Kondo joined the Japanese Imperial Navy in December 1943. On April 28,
1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, he embarked on a suicide mission
from the Kokubu No. 2 Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. He left
behind the following message to his older sister, who had been paying
for his tuition at Waseda University: "I am truly grateful for how well
you have taken care of me for such a long time. I am in good spirits as
I depart for my mission."
Sources:
www.yomiuri.co.jp/adv/wol/dy/culture/081217.htm
www.yomiuri.co.jp/adv/wol/dy/culture/110323.htm
Date Added: May 11, 2013
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