 Ogawa was born on October 23, 1922 in Usui District (modern-day Takasaki City), Gunma Prefecture, as the youngest child of the Oshia family.Kiyoshi did well in schools, and entered Shinjuku Ward, near Kagurazaka.After graduating, Ogawa departed as a "gakuto" (student-soldier, a college student who became a soldier or officer during his academic years) and received his training as a 14th graduate of aviation reserve student training.