Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, U.S. Naval Institute.
The Kido Butai, the Japanese carrier strike force, was constantly being pestered with attacks from Midway Island. However, Admiral Nagumo, its commander, heard that the U.S. Fleet was spotted. He was now faced with a barrier. He had to make a decision; either launch his reserve planes to strike the U.S. carriers immediately, risking losing his planes, or wait for the first wave of planes he sent to be recovered, taking up more time. He chose the latter option as more American planes were being launched; this time from the carriers.
