Francis Takemoto, first Japanese-American general, dies at 89

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Francis S. Takemoto, who went from teaching mathematics to serving with the heroes of the 100th Infantry Battalion in World War II and on to become the first American of Japanese ancestry to achieve the rank of general, died Sunday in Honolulu at the age of 89.

Francis Takemoto served with the legendary 442nd Regiment.

"He was a man of quiet dignity. He was never ruffled in combat and he excelled in leadership qualities," said Denis Teraoka, 84, who served with Takemoto in the 100th Battalion's Company D. "He was concerned for the men under his command and always made sure that his men knew their assignments."

Takemoto was born on Nov. 28, 1912 in Honolulu, the son of Tsunetaro and Tane Takemoto, who were Japanese immigrants. He graduated from McKinley High School and majored in chemistry at the University of Hawai'i. While at the university, Takemoto joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1935.

Takemoto worked for a pineapple plantation but was unhappy with the work. He then decided to apply for graduate studies at Santa Barbara State College in California, where he earned a teaching degree.

He returned to Hawai'i and began his long career in education as a math teacher. But all of that was put on hold with the start of World War II.

Takemoto was called to active duty and assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion of the famed 442nd "Go for Broke" Regiment. During a battle in Italy, Takemoto was hit in the head by shrapnel, for which he earned a Purple Heart. By the time the war was over, Takemoto had received four battle stars, the Victory medal and a Presidential Citation with cluster.

In 1946, Takemoto returned to Hawai'i and resumed his teaching career.

He also joined the National Guard and helped reorganize Headquarters Company of the 299th Infantry Battalion on the Big Island.

Takemoto managed his dual career as an educator and a military officer for more than 20 years. He served as principal at Aliamanu Elementary and later Manoa Elementary. After a full day at school, he would change into his uniform and spend most of his evenings and weekends with the Guard.

In January 1964, Takemoto made history when he was promoted to brigadier general and took command of the Guard's 29th Infantry Brigade.

Takemoto's son, Harvey, said his father didn't talk much about his military career.

"He was typical of most of those guys. ... he didn't wear it on his sleeve. It was just part of their duty that they had to do," Harvey Takemoto said.

"If you were to meet him, you would have never known that he was a general. And talking to his friends, that was kind of the image that he had. He wasn't a showboat," Takemoto said. "He earned the respect. It wasn't just because he had the title."

In 1968, during the height of the Vietnam War, the 29th Infantry Brigade was called to active duty. Takemoto had hoped to go with his troops to Vietnam, but he was forced to retire because he had served the maximum amount of time in the Guard.

On May 4, 1968, he was presented the Medal of Merit, the highest award given by the Guard.

Takemoto is survived by a daughter, Carol Dee Nishimura; son, Harvey; sisters, Elsie Sumida and Sue Awada; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. June 9 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary.