Ted Ohira sings at the Go For Broke Evening of Aloha Dinner in November 2006.

Decorated World War II veteran and a member of the legendary regiment that rescued the Lost Battalion, Ted Kaoru Ohira, 82, passed away suddenly on Mon­day, March 5, the result of a heart condition.

During his years of mili­tary service, Ohira became known for two things: an undefeated record as a boxer and his vocal talent. His melodic singing and yodeling seemed to carry Ohira back to his native Kauai, and he was frequent­ly called upon to perform at community gatherings.

Last Saturday, he led the Military Intelligence Service reunion attendees in a rousing sing-along that included Hawaiian standards “Tiny Bubbles” and “Aloha Oe.” It was the last time his singing would be heard in public.

After the war, Ohira became active in veterans organizations and worked to make the Go For Broke Monument in Little Tokyo a reality. When the Go For Broke National Education Center was established, he served on its board of directors.

According to friends, Ohira was fond of saying, “Never volunteer for anything.” Yet, he never heeded his own words. After retiring from his professional life as a produce manager and in real estate, Ohira volun­teered countless hours as a Go For Broke docent and particularly enjoyed shar­ing his first-hand wartime experiences and “talking story” with the groups of school children who vis­ited the monument. It was Ohira who led his fellow veterans in a rousing ren­dition of their battlefield fight song at the 2006 Evening of Aloha dinner last Nov. 11.

Ohira was member of the 442nd Regi­mental Combat Team and fought in five major WWII campaigns, including the rescue of the Lost Battalion, the Texas Na­tional Guard unit surrounded by Germans in the Vosages Mountains in 1944. For his bravery, he was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.

Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ohira was eager to join the war effort, but was only 17 years old. He tricked his parents into signing his enlistment papers, he told friends.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, the former Chiz Akiyama, whom he first noticed as she strolled across the Los Angeles City College campus in 1945 and was smitten. However, it wasn’t until years later at a Nisei Singles dance that he formally met Akiyama.

“Ted was one of our core veterans and an important part of Go For Broke. We are deeply saddened by his passing,” commented Christine Sato-Yamazaki, Go For Broke executive director. “Al­though he will be missed, his positive attitude and enduring spirit will remain with us always.”

Surviving are his wife, Chiz; son, Dr. John Mitamura (Dr. Pamela Dolin) of Westchester, N.Y., and four grand­children.