Joe Takata
Joe Takata was the first Japanese -American killed in WWII. Joe attended Waialua Elementary, which is now renamed Hale'iwa Elementary. War Memorial at Haleiwa Beach Park which recognizes Joe Takata Here are some websites that provide more details. "In honor of Takata's significant achievments on the battlefield and the ball field the renaming of Fort Shafter Bowl to Joe Takata Field will serve as a lasting tribute to one of Hawaii's finest young soldiers and athletes."
http://www.janm.org/nrc/militarych.php
Japanese Americans in America's Wars: A Chronology
“September 29, 1943 Baseball star Shigeo "Joe" Takata is the first member of the 100th Infantry Battalion to be killed in action and the first to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. ”
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jun/17/ln/FP706170363.html
Preserving memories of the 100th Battalion
“… Sgt. Shigeo "Joe" Takata, a baseball star from Waialua, was the first member to be killed in action, his head struck by shrapnel. …”
http://www.usarpac.army.mil/news/releases_2003/takata_field.asp
Army Birthday memorializes Hawaii Nisei soldier
“The U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) celebrated the Army's 228th birthday at Fort Shafter Bowl on June 12, by renaming the ball field located on Funston road to Joe Takata Field in honor of Sgt. Shigeo "Joe" Takata, a member of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion. …”
http://www.baseballinwartime.com/in_memoriam/takata_joe.htm
Baseball in Wartime – Joe Takata
Date and Place of Birth: April 29, 1919 Waialua, Hawaiian Islands
Date and Place of Death: September 29, 1943 Monte Milleto, Italy
Baseball Experience: Amateur
Position: Outfield
Rank: Sergeant
Military Unit: 100th Battalion, US Army
Area Served: Mediterranean Theater of Operations
http://www.ajawarvets.org/campaigns/campaign_02_salerno_cassino.cfm
Americans of Japanese Ancestry World War II Memorial Alliance
European Campaigns - Salerno to Cassino
“…Company B led off, out of Montemarano, off the Avellino road, and along a secondary route north through the village of Castelvetere toward high ground around Chiusano. At about 10:00 A.M., as the 3rd Platoon turned a bend in the road, three German machine guns opened up, and mortar and artillery shells began to fall around the "zeroed in" road curve. Sergeant Shigeo (Joe) Takata said, "It's the first time, so I'm going first." Spotting one of the Jerry nests, he walked toward it, firing his automatic rifle. A piece of shrapnel caught him in the head. Dying, he managed to tell one of his men, who had crawled close, where the German gunners were. Before the enemy pocket was silenced another soldier had died and- seven more had been wounded. The 100th had its first hero and its first claim for Purple Heart awards….”
http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1
Nationwide Gravesite Locator
1. TAKATA, SHIGEO JOE
SGT US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF DEATH: 09/27/1943
BURIED AT: SECTION D SITE 142 ]
NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC
2177 PUOWAINA DRIVE HONOLULU, HI 96813
(808) 532-3720