Francis S. Takemoto

Francis Shigeo Takemoto (, 28 November 1912 – 26 May 2002) was a Hawaii Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve brigadier general. A veteran of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion in World War II, he became the first Asian American promoted to general officer rank in 1964.

Early life and education Born in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Takemoto graduated from McKinley High School. He received a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Hawaiʻi in 1935 and, having participated in the Army ROTC program, was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry in the Army Reserve on 13 July 1935. Takemoto subsequently earned a graduate teacher's certificate from Santa Barbara State College in 1940 and worked as a mathematics teacher on the island of Hawaii. He later graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1953.

Military career After serving as an Army Reserve officer for eight years, Takemoto reported for active duty on 30 March 1943 and was sent to Camp Shelby in Mississippi to train with the 442nd Infantry. He was transferred to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division in Italy in March 1944. Takemoto landed at Anzio and received a shrapnel wound to the side of his head a few days later while serving with Company D. After recuperation, he fought with the 100th Infantry in Italy and France and was promoted to first lieutenant on 21 November 1944. When the 100th Infantry was made part of the 442nd Infantry on 11 June 1944, Takemoto acted as liaison between the two commanders. He earned a Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart for his World War II service. Takemoto was confirmed by the full United States Senate on 27 February 1964. He continued to serve as commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade until 3 May 1968, preparing the unit for potential Vietnam War deployment. Takemoto retired on 4 May 1968, having reached the compulsory retirement point for National Guard personnel at the time.

Personal Takemoto was the son of Japanese immigrants Tsunetaro Takemoto (11 January 1880 – 26 August 1971) and Tane Takemoto (3 March 1882 – 6 February 1970).

Takemoto married Gladys Chizuko Uyeno (12 June 1913 – 19 October 1996), a fellow teacher, on 28 August 1938. They had a daughter, a son and six grandchildren.

After his death in Honolulu, Takemoto was interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific beside his wife on 11 June 2002.