Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawai'ian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Francis Takemoto, first Native Hawai'ian brigadier general in US Army

Francis Takemoto, born November 28, 1912 in Honolulu, Hawai'i, graduated from University of Hawai'i with a degree in chemistry in 1935. He participated in the ROTC program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry in the Army Reserve. 

In March 1943, he reported for active duty and sent to train with the 442nd Infantry in Mississippi.  In March 1944, he was transferred to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division in Italy.  He earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart, after receiving a shrapnel wound to the side of his head, for his WWII service.

Takemoto was released from active duty in January 1946, and promoted to captain in the Army Reserve in September 1946. He was promoted to colonel in July 1960.  President Lyndon Johnson nominated him to be Brigadier general in the Army and Takemoto was confirmed by the US Senate in February 1964. 

He retired in May 1968. He passed away in May 2002 in Honolulu. 

Celebrating Black History Month: George Poage, first African-American to medal in the Olymics

George Poage, born November 6, 1880 in Hannibal, Missouri, is the first African-American to win a medal in the modern Olympics.  He graduated from La Crosse High School in Wisconsin in 1899 as salutatorian and the school's top athlete.  He was the school's first African-American graduate.

He attended the University of Wisconsin and excelled at track and field.  He was the first African-American athlete to run for US, specializing in short sprints and hurdles.  In June 1904, he became the first African-American individual Big Ten track champion in conference history, placing first in the 440-yard dash and the 220-yared hurdles.

Poage represented the US in the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri, winning the bronze in the 200-yard and 400-yard hurdles.