As most historians know, SABURO SAKAI (EH 513-+-1996) was Japan's most famous fighter pilot. He shot down Colin Kelly, thus giving America her first Congressional Medal of Honor winner. It was also said that he shot up the B-26 carrying Lyndon B. Johnson, for which LBJ also received a medal.

American newspapers recently reported that this was not true; that it was an entirely different B-26 MARAUDER that was the target of Sakai that day. Now we have this from our Far East Representative, YOYA KAWAMURA (1739-LIFE-1991):

"Everyone has heard the story told by Saburo Sakai that in June 1942, he shot up the B-26 bomber on which rode Lyndon Johnson as a passenger. He was inspecting troops in New Guinea. For his courage and valor he (LBJ) was awarded a SilverStar. According to CNN, the whole story was a concoction. In fact, the bomber he (LBJ) was flying on developed engine trouble soon after taking off from Port Moresby, and turned back. He never got even close to the combat zone. Saburo Sakai shot down one bomber and riddled another with his bullets. Naturally, he had no way of knowing if Lyndon Johnson was on the second bomber. Someone made up the story for him. Supposedly, Johnson needed a decoration for his political career, and Douglas MacArthur who conferred it on him, needed a connection in Congress. So the interests of both parties very nicely met."

ED NOTE - even back then, politicians lied? I'm shocked .....

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