Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete, Japanese Imperial Army Officer. Born into noblility, he was the son of Japanese Foreign Minister Baron Tokujiro Nishi and inherited the title of Baron when his father died. He graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1924 and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the First Cavalry. Because of his expertise in equestrianism, he was selected to compete at the 1930 Equestrian Games in Europe. At the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, he won the gold medal in the individual jumping event and it remains the only gold medal for Japan in an equestrian sport. During this time in America, he became very popular socially befriending the likes of movie stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving as the Ministry of Agriculture, when called back to Japan for active duty in 1942. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1943 and placed in command of the 26th Tank Regiment in 1944. In January 1945, Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi assigned him to serve as tank commander on Iwo Jima, for the impending invasion against American forces. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Nishi defended his positions with honor until they were overrun and destroyed. His remains were never recovered. In the 2006 Academy Award-winning film "Letters from Iwo Jima", Nishi's charactor was highlighted by the performance of actor Tsuyoshi Ihara.
Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete, Japanese Imperial Army Officer. Born into noblility, he was the son of Japanese Foreign Minister Baron Tokujiro Nishi and inherited the title of Baron when his father died. He graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1924 and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the First Cavalry. Because of his expertise in equestrianism, he was selected to compete at the 1930 Equestrian Games in Europe. At the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, he won the gold medal in the individual jumping event and it remains the only gold medal for Japan in an equestrian sport. During this time in America, he became very popular socially befriending the likes of movie stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving as the Ministry of Agriculture, when called back to Japan for active duty in 1942. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1943 and placed in command of the 26th Tank Regiment in 1944. In January 1945, Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi assigned him to serve as tank commander on Iwo Jima, for the impending invasion against American forces. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Nishi defended his positions with honor until they were overrun and destroyed. His remains were never recovered. In the 2006 Academy Award-winning film "Letters from Iwo Jima", Nishi's charactor was highlighted by the performance of actor Tsuyoshi Ihara.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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