We Killed Yamamoto
Encyclopedia
"We Killed Yamamoto" is episode 64 of The West Wing
. The title refers to Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
, who commanded the Japanese Combined Fleet
during World War II
. He died
in 1943 when the airplane carrying him was shot down over Bougainville Island
by American P-38
fighter planes acting on cryptographic intelligence containing the Admiral's travel itinerary.
visits the grave of his longtime secretary, Mrs. Landingham, who was killed by a drunk driver at the end of season 2, and instructs aide Charlie Young
to begin the search for a replacement. Bartlet agonizes over whether or not to forfeit the principle of diplomatic immunity
for Abdul ibn Shareef
, Qumar's Defense Secretary, who is known to be plotting terrorism. Furious that Shareef cannot be brought to justice, because the incriminating information was obtained through torture, Bartlet must decide whether to cancel Shareef's impending trip to the White House or to keep him close. However, Admiral Fitzwallace
proposes another "option" to deal with the official. Josh
debates with his lover, feminist activist Amy Gardner
, over a key welfare reform bill. This ends up with her mobilising her forces within 24 hours to oppose a bill that would provide incentives for marriage, because she believes that such incentives coerce a woman on welfare into marrying the father of her child. This action would compromise another bill the President wants to pass. Meanwhile, Bartlet is advised not to attend a Catholic Charities fundraiser, a performance of Shakespeare's Henry plays, because the Republican candidate Ritchie is also attending. He decides to go anyway, and yells at Josh for errors he has made.
Sam
rejects ecologically friendly legislation for the Everglades
because he thinks it will look like a campaign ploy, but then, thinking of the Ritchie campaign's underhanded trick in the previous episode, rethinks his initial decision. C.J.
gains new respect for her Secret Service
bodyguard, Simon Donovan. Donna
travels to North Dakota
to represent the Bartlet administration at a meeting to change the state's name.
The West Wing (TV series)
The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
. The title refers to Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Isoroku Yamamoto
was a Japanese Naval Marshal General and the commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet during World War II, a graduate of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy and a student of Harvard University ....
, who commanded the Japanese Combined Fleet
Combined Fleet
The was the main ocean-going component of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Combined Fleet was not a standing force, but a temporary force formed for the duration of a conflict or major naval maneuvers from various units normally under separate commands in peacetime....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He died
Death of Isoroku Yamamoto
Operation Vengeance was carried out to assassinate Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto on April 18, 1943, during the Solomon Islands campaign in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, was killed on Bougainville Island when...
in 1943 when the airplane carrying him was shot down over Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
by American P-38
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
fighter planes acting on cryptographic intelligence containing the Admiral's travel itinerary.
Plot
BartletJosiah Bartlet
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is President of the United States for the entire series until the last episode, when his successor is inaugurated...
visits the grave of his longtime secretary, Mrs. Landingham, who was killed by a drunk driver at the end of season 2, and instructs aide Charlie Young
Charlie Young
Charles 'Charlie' Young is a fictional character played by Dulé Hill on the television serial drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he is the Personal Aide to President Josiah Bartlet.-Creation and development:...
to begin the search for a replacement. Bartlet agonizes over whether or not to forfeit the principle of diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments that ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws...
for Abdul ibn Shareef
Abdul ibn Shareef
Abdul Ibn Shareef, former defense minister of Qumar, is a fictional character played by Al No'mani on the television serial drama The West Wing.-Character history:...
, Qumar's Defense Secretary, who is known to be plotting terrorism. Furious that Shareef cannot be brought to justice, because the incriminating information was obtained through torture, Bartlet must decide whether to cancel Shareef's impending trip to the White House or to keep him close. However, Admiral Fitzwallace
Percy Fitzwallace
Admiral Percy "Fitz" Fitzwallace, played by John Amos, is a fictional character on the television series The West Wing. In the universe of the show, he is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....
proposes another "option" to deal with the official. Josh
Josh Lyman
Joshua "Josh" Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he was White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the Josiah Bartlet administration...
debates with his lover, feminist activist Amy Gardner
Amy Gardner
Amelia "Amy" Gardner is a fictional character on the American television series The West Wing, portrayed by Mary-Louise Parker. Politically skilled and a strong advocate on feminist causes, the character holds various jobs throughout the timeline depicted on The West Wing, both in public-advocacy...
, over a key welfare reform bill. This ends up with her mobilising her forces within 24 hours to oppose a bill that would provide incentives for marriage, because she believes that such incentives coerce a woman on welfare into marrying the father of her child. This action would compromise another bill the President wants to pass. Meanwhile, Bartlet is advised not to attend a Catholic Charities fundraiser, a performance of Shakespeare's Henry plays, because the Republican candidate Ritchie is also attending. He decides to go anyway, and yells at Josh for errors he has made.
Sam
Sam Seaborn
Samuel Norman "Sam" Seaborn is a fictional character portrayed by Rob Lowe on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is best known for being Deputy White House Communications Director in the Josiah Bartlet administration throughout the first four seasons of the series.-Creation and...
rejects ecologically friendly legislation for the Everglades
Everglades
The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
because he thinks it will look like a campaign ploy, but then, thinking of the Ritchie campaign's underhanded trick in the previous episode, rethinks his initial decision. C.J.
C. J. Cregg
Claudia Jean "C. J." Cregg is a fictional character played by Allison Janney on the television serial drama The West Wing. From the beginning of the series until the sixth season, she is White House Press Secretary in the administration of President Josiah Bartlet...
gains new respect for her Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
bodyguard, Simon Donovan. Donna
Donna Moss
Donnatella "Donna" Moss is a fictional character played by Janel Moloney on the television serial drama The West Wing. Donna is a recurring character during the first season, although she appears in every episode, making her a de facto regular...
travels to North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
to represent the Bartlet administration at a meeting to change the state's name.