Hideshi Niimi

Fox and Charlie Companies, 100th Infantry Battalion

Hideshi Niimi was born in 1917 in Pa‘auilo, on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. His early life was marked by a trans-Pacific rhythm: his family later moved to Hiroshima, Japan, where he spent part of his youth. After the death of his parents, Niimi returned to Hawai‘i with his siblings, settling back in a land that would soon be torn by war.

In December 1940, well before the United States entered World War II, Niimi enlisted in the 299th Infantry Regiment of the Hawai‘i National Guard — the same unit in the Territory of Hawaiʻi that many young Nisei joined during that era.

When the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) was formed in June 1942, composed largely of Nisei soldiers drawn from the federalized 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments, Niimi was counted among its original members.

Assigned initially to Fox Company, Niimi traveled with the battalion to the U.S. mainland for training, first at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, then later at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, following the pattern of the 100th’s early preparations. Niimi was later transferred to Charlie Company in the 100th.

Niimi was deployed to the European Theater with the 100th in August 1943. The battalion first saw action in Italy, attached to the 34th Infantry Division. As part of the fierce fighting in the Italian Campaign, the 100th helped to cross rivers, scale hills, and face heavily fortified German defenses. Niimi fought as a member of the battalion from Salerno in September 1943 through Rome in June 1944.

Niimi was one of 53 men of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) who returned home to Hawaiʻi at the end of August 1944. A local newspaper published a photo of him, noting that the men had returned for furlough and reassignment after 18 months of training and combat with the 100th. They were greeted by Lt. Col. Farrant Turner, the original commander of the 100th Infantry Battalion, who had by then retired.

After the war ended, Niimi returned to civilian life in Hawai‘i. He found work as a mechanic at the Pearl Harbor Public Works Center, putting his technical skills to use in peacetime. Outside of work, he maintained a rich life and became deeply involved in his community. He taught bonsai — the Japanese art of miniature tree cultivation — through classes at the Kaimuki Night School and the Mōʻiliʻili Community Center, passing on patience and beauty to others. Niimi remained close to his 100th comrades and was active at Club 100, enjoying social events, bonsai club, bowling, golf, and ballroom dancing.