Harry Fusao O'Hara

Harry Fusao O'Hara MM (1891, Tokyo – 1951, Hampstead, London) was a Japanese man who fought for the British in the First World War, first as an infantryman, later as the first and, as far as is known, only Japanese pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. He was also a journalist.

Early life and education Born in Tokyo, he attended Waseda University, but dropped out and traveled to India, where he worked as a journalist for Japanese newspapers. According to his youngest daughter, Geraldine Reedijk, a sergeant wrote down his last name as "O'Hara" over his objections. He was assigned to the 34th Royal Sikh Pioneers infantry regiment of the British Indian Army,

He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic, 2nd Class. He trained at the Royal Provincial Flying School, Edgware, and upon becoming a pilot, he was promoted to sergeant, on 8 October 1917. In 1918, he was assigned to No. 1 Squadron RAF, fighting in France. On 7 June 1918, he was hospitalised again, this time for a gunshot wound to the jaw. The war ended on 11 November 1918, and he left the RFC sometime in 1919.

Personal life In September, he married Englishwoman Muriel M. McDonald. The O'Haras lived in London after the war. When the UK declared war on Japan in December 1941, following Japanese attacks on British possessions in the Far East, he became an enemy alien; his daughter, however, does not recall him being interned.

Death Harry Fusao O'Hara died in 1951 in Hampstead.