Takeshi Teshima

B Company

Takeshi Teshima was born in Papaaloa on the Big Island of Hawaii, just north of Hilo, in January 1920. The first of two Teshima children born in America, Takeshi returned to Hiroshima, Japan with his family during his childhood. The Teshima family soon grew to ten with six boys and two girls.

When he was 17, Takeshi returned to Honolulu, Hawaii. He proudly won an English speech contest and was hired to work as a delivery boy by Fujii Trading Company. Joining the army on November 14, 1941, Takeshi was an original member of the 100th Infantry Battalion, B Company. After being in combat in Italy and France, he was discharged from the army on November 18, 1945.

After the war, Takeshi returned to Honolulu for several months. Then in 1946 he went back to Japan, doing intelligence work for the United States Central Intelligence Section of GHQ, Civil Censorship Detachment.

In Japan, Takeshi fell in love and married Hiroko Ogawa. They had two children, Margaret Kazuyo and Theodor Toshiaki. With his wife’s encouragement and support, Takeshi started trading companies, Americo and Japan Bars. His son and son-in-law now head these companies and have continued their success.

A generous man, Takeshi hosted his former 100th comrades and friends at banquets and golf outings when they visited Japan. When he visited Hawaii, they always got together to continue their long time friendships.

His last few years were spent in peaceful retirement in Gotenba, Shizuoka. There, beautiful Mt. Fujii could be enjoyed, as well as delicious sushi shared with visiting family and friends.

Takeshi Teshima passed away in September 2012. Two months later, a memorial service was held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu. In attendance were several of his 100th Infantry Battalion comrades.