I got this on the usenet this morning :
This came in last night from Barrett Tillman on the Battle of Midway study
group:
>I've just learned from a colleague in touch with Sakai's daughter
>that Saburo died of a heart attack in Tokyo within the past day
>or so. I reckon he was 84.
> I had the pleasure of 3 conversations with Sakai over the
>years, including a marathon session while chauffering him and
>his interpreter around Phoenix 10 years ago. Frankly, I found
>him a much nicer person than many of his American counterparts--he
>was awesomely patient and tolerant of well wishers, autograph
>seekers, photographers, and the like. He would remain in place
>until the last buff or fan was finished, and said at least a
>couple of times that he was better known and better treated in
>the US than in Japan. He also regarded Joe Foss as his best
>friend--not best American friend--but best friend.
> Those who know the story of his epic 550-mile flight from
>Guadalcanal to Rabaul in August 1942 in a shot-up Zero, wounded
>and blind in one eye will understand the way he always signed
>his signature: "Never give up."
>
