FUMI TANIYAMA The 100th Infantry Battalion lost another brave soldier on October 8, 2014, when Fumi Taniyama passed away at Hale Nani Rehab and Nursing Center at the age of 96. A humble member of the Purple Heart Battalion, named as a result of its severe casualties and nicknamed "little men of iron" by war correspondents in the battlefield, Fumi was injured in the famous battle at Monte Cassino in Salerno, Italy in 1944. The fall of Monte Cassino allowed the 100th to push forward to Rome, where the final German stronghold, Lanuvio, fell to the 100th Infantry Battalion. Upon returning home Fumi spent six months in a full body cast then six months in a full leg cast, followed by more than a year of rehabilitation. Born on April 27, 1918 in Honolulu to parents Rikutaro and Toki Taniyama, Fumi enjoyed baseball and barefoot football as a teen working at Hawaiian Pine to support the family. He bought a boat and started fishing for a living, but like many of his fellow Nisei, he determinedly enlisted in the Army when WWII began. After recovering from his war time injuries, he worked for the Army Corp of Engineers, then as a printer for Castle & Cooke, and subsequently as the Supervising Storekeeper for the State of Hawaii Department of Education, overseeing the distribution of school and office supplies to public schools throughout the State for 20 years. Retiring in 1980, Fumi enjoyed bowling at Waialae Bowl, and was an avid member of the Makule Walkers at Kahala, who walked the interiors of Kahala Mall every morning to maintain a healthy exercise regimen or perhaps it was to reap the reward of coffee with friends at the Kahala McDonald's afterward. Fumi was predeceased by wife Kimiko in 1993, and is survived by son Leslie (Janice) Taniyama, granddaughter Lauri (Joseph) Laxamana, great grandson Justin Laxamana, and brother Harry "Bolo" Taniyama. A memorial service will be held at Hosoi Garden Mortuary on Friday October 31, 2014, with visitation at 4:00pm and service at 5:00pm. A private burial ceremony will follow at Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
FUMI TANIYAMA The 100th Infantry Battalion lost another brave soldier on October 8, 2014, when Fumi Taniyama passed away at Hale Nani Rehab and Nursing Center at the age of 96. A humble member of the Purple Heart Battalion, named as a result of its severe casualties and nicknamed "little men of iron" by war correspondents in the battlefield, Fumi was injured in the famous battle at Monte Cassino in Salerno, Italy in 1944. The fall of Monte Cassino allowed the 100th to push forward to Rome, where the final German stronghold, Lanuvio, fell to the 100th Infantry Battalion. Upon returning home Fumi spent six months in a full body cast then six months in a full leg cast, followed by more than a year of rehabilitation. Born on April 27, 1918 in Honolulu to parents Rikutaro and Toki Taniyama, Fumi enjoyed baseball and barefoot football as a teen working at Hawaiian Pine to support the family. He bought a boat and started fishing for a living, but like many of his fellow Nisei, he determinedly enlisted in the Army when WWII began. After recovering from his war time injuries, he worked for the Army Corp of Engineers, then as a printer for Castle & Cooke, and subsequently as the Supervising Storekeeper for the State of Hawaii Department of Education, overseeing the distribution of school and office supplies to public schools throughout the State for 20 years. Retiring in 1980, Fumi enjoyed bowling at Waialae Bowl, and was an avid member of the Makule Walkers at Kahala, who walked the interiors of Kahala Mall every morning to maintain a healthy exercise regimen or perhaps it was to reap the reward of coffee with friends at the Kahala McDonald's afterward. Fumi was predeceased by wife Kimiko in 1993, and is survived by son Leslie (Janice) Taniyama, granddaughter Lauri (Joseph) Laxamana, great grandson Justin Laxamana, and brother Harry "Bolo" Taniyama. A memorial service will be held at Hosoi Garden Mortuary on Friday October 31, 2014, with visitation at 4:00pm and service at 5:00pm. A private burial ceremony will follow at Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
