Rear-Admiral Shoji Nishimura was appointed as a commander 4th Destroyer Squadron in November 1940 (previously he had commanded first a cruiser and then a battleship in late '30's).
As such he participated in operations at Balikpapan, Borneo and Battle of Java Sea during Dutch East Indies Campaign (December 1941-March 1942).
In June 1942 given command 7th Cruiser Division, heavily involved in subsequent Guadalcanal Campaign. He was in 1943 promoted to rank of Vice-Admiral. He led "Southern Force" in battle of Leyte Gulf and died aboard his flagship, battleship Yamashiro trying to force Surigao Strait in October 1944.