History: The Mission and Engagement at Hickam Field
At 0550 (0120 Tokyo time), the Akagi launched its contingent of the First Strike-Wave, which included a hiko chutai (flight) of nine Zeros under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Shigeru Itaya. PO1c Takashi Hirano flew as Itaya's wingman in the No. 1 Shotai (element). Their primary objective was to provide top cover for the Aichi D3A1 "Val" dive bombers attacking Hickam Field and to interdict American aircraft.
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As the attack commenced around 0800 local time, Itaya's unit encountered an unarmed American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress piloted by Captain Swenson and 2nd Lt. Ernest L. Reid. The B-17, arriving from Hamilton Field, California, was attempting to land at Hickam Field amidst the chaos. Itaya, Hirano, and PO1c Shinatsugu Iwama engaged the bomber, setting it ablaze with tracer fire. The B-17 managed a hard landing, breaking in half upon impact.
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Following the engagement with the B-17, the Akagi Zeros commenced low-level strafing runs across Hickam Field. It was during these runs that Hirano's Zero, AI-154, met its fate.
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The Crash of AI-154
While strafing the apron in front of the hangars, Hirano fixated on a running figure—later identified as 1st Lt. (Dr.) William R. Schick, a flight surgeon who had been aboard the B-17. In his pursuit, Hirano failed to pull up in time. The Zero's belly tank struck the runway and was torn off, while the propeller blades dug into the tarmac. The resulting damage bent the blades, causing severe engine vibration and structural stress.
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Struggling to maintain altitude, Hirano directed his faltering aircraft west-southwest toward Fort Kamehameha. Eyewitnesses, including Ensign Harvey N. Hop, Sr., observed the pilot frantically attempting to restore fuel pressure using the wobble pump. Near the verge of a stall, the Zero struck two coconut palms in front of the Fort Kamehameha Ordnance Machine Shop.
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The impact was catastrophic. The aircraft's engine and forward fuselage separated and spun, embedding palm fronds and trunk fragments into the cockpit, killing Hirano instantly. The rear fuselage broke and twisted into a "Z" shape. The wreckage and the detached engine plowed into a group of soldiers from C Battery, 41st Coast Artillery Regiment, who had gathered outside the shop. The crash resulted in four American fatalities: Cpl. Claude L. Bryant, Pvt. Eugene B. Bubb, PFC Oreste DaTorre, and Pvt. Donat G. Duquette, Jr., along with numerous severe injuries.
Ron Cole has depicted Hirano and his Zero a few seconds prior to its drop tank and propellor strike, racing down Hickam Field after 1st. Lt. Schick.
