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In this feature of "eTorch," we introduce to you Thomas Takemoto, a 1399th engineer. He along with his fellow comrades served behind the scenes and contributed to the war effort by working on defense projects in Hawaii, ensuring the safety of our citizens during the war. It is an unknown story of the "chowhounds" (read on to find out why they received this nickname) and one that we wish for all to understand and pay tribute. The 1399 Engineer Construction Battalion veterans are recognized on the Go For Broke Monument in Los Angeles. Their emblem is proudly displayed on the face of the Monument along with the names of those served in the unit. When you visit the Monument, please take a moment to reflect on their contributions and see Thomas Takemoto’s name by going to panel 1A line 98. As the holidays approach, and you spend time with loved ones, please remember the contributions made by the WWII Nisei veterans, who ensured the freedoms we enjoy today. Happy Holidays from the Go For Broke Educational Foundation!
Sincerely,
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How Thomas Takeichi Takemoto ended up in the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion was one of war's random ironies.
Drafted in June 1944, Takemoto was en route to sign up with the Military Intelligence Service Language School when he stopped to see his good friend, Ken Kawamoto. "Hey, Ken, let's go MIS," Takemoto said. But Kawamoto declined. "He said no, I want to go to Europe. I tried to convince him to go to MIS, but he said no, no, no, he really wanted to go to Europe. So I said, well, if I'm going to die, I'm going to die with him. Going to school is not important." Fortunately, neither man lost his life in the war, but neither did they serve together. Kawamoto was sent to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team on the mainland; Takemoto was assigned to the newly formed 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion on his home island of Oahu. |
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 The Resource Center: Just like the Reference Desk at the Library
Information on Japanese American World War II veterans can be found in many different resources and collections throughout the United States. The Resource Center at the Go For Broke Educational Foundation has a collection of books, periodicals and documents. In addition, the Resource Center has an archive of artifacts and photographs donated by veterans and their families. Click here for more information about The Resource Center. |
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 Evening of Aloha 2005
Setting a new record for attendance, more than 970 guests attended the Go For Broke Educational Foundation’s 4th Annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner held November 12, 2005 at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening of fine dining and entertainment. A four-course menu of regional Hawaiian cuisine was created especially for the gala dinner and was prepared by Chef Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants worldwide and Executive Chef Russell Siu, co-owner of the Ilima award winning 3660 On the Rise in Honolulu. |
When most people think of Japanese American WWII veterans, they tend to think of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In fact, prior to working for the Go For Broke Educational Foundation, I too thought there was only one unit because that was the unit in which my grandpa served. What I immediately discovered while working to build the Go For Broke Monument is that there are in fact many units: 100th Infantry Battalion, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, 232nd Combat Engineer Company, and others. It was at that time that I learned about the engineers who were an instrumental part of the war effort, namely the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion.
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