Mitsunobu Kojimoto unexpectedly passed away in San Francisco on Oct. 25. He was 86 years old. Mits was born on Oct. 19, 1923, in San Francisco, to Kusujiro Kojimoto and Mitsu Nishitsuji Kojimoto. He graduated from Commerce High School, where he played varsity basketball. When Executive Order 9066 was issued during WWII, Mits’s family was sent to the Santa Anita Assembly Center and then to the internment camp in Topaz, Utah. At age 19, Mits volunteered for the U.S. Army and joined the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, H company. He received the Bronze Star for his service in France and Italy.
Mits supported and participated in many Japanese American community organizations and events. He, Wally Nunotani and other 442 veterans formed Go For Broke, which later became the National Japanese American Historical society. Mits tirelessly researched and collected archival information about Nisei WWII soldiers killed in action, which he gave to the Japanese American Living Legacy Project. Mits was a member of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco. He is survived by his wife, Sadame, of 59 years; and their children, Keith (Priscilla), Kathryn, and Carrie, granddaughter Gayle (Gary Hume); and great-grandchildren, Kiana and Derek; his sister, Misae Tanaka; his cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brothers, Yoshinobu and Yoneo.
Friends are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 1881 Pine St.