COL Keith Y. Tamashiro Bio

COL Keith Y. Tamashiro

Born: August 9, 1962

COL Keith Y. Tamashiro was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate in the Field Artillery on June 10, 1984 out of the ROTC program at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.      

COL Tamashiro served on active duty from 1984 to 1988 as a Company Fire Support Officer, Battery Fire Direction Officer, Battery Executive Officer, S1 and Battalion Fire Support Officer.  In Dec 1988, COL Tamashiro left active duty and joined the 1^st Battalion, 487^th Field Artillery of the Hawaii National Guard. He served as the Battalion Fire Direction Officer, Battery Commander (B Btry), Plans Officer, Battalion Fire Support Officer, Battalion S3 and Battalion XO.  On April 7, 2001, COL Tamashiro assumed command of the 1^st Battalion, 487^th Field Artillery.  He served as the Battalion Commander for over 5 years, the longest battalion commander in the history of the unit. He led the battalion as part of the 29^th Infantry Brigade’s deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom III where in addition to commanding the battalion, COL Tamashiro was the base camp commander for over 2100 personnel at the Kuwait Naval Base in Kuwait while also managing soldiers spread out over 3 different locations in Iraq. He relinquished command in July 2006 and was reassigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Joint Forces Headquarters. On July 8, 2007, COL Tamashiro assumed command of the 298^th Regiment, Multifunctional Training Unit, Regional Training Institute.

COL Tamashiro was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois but has resided in the state of Hawaii for the past 23 years. He is married to the former Iwalani (Iwie) Kaninau of Wahiawa, Hawaii.

COL Tamashiro’s military schools include FAOBC, FAOAC, CAS3, CGSC, Airborne School and Air Assault School.

COL Tamashiro’s awards are the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak leaf Cluster, Army Commendations Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism and Overseas Ribbon.

COL Tamashiro has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and when he is not serving in his duties in the Hawaii National Guard, COL Tamashiro works for the State of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services First-To-Work Program where he manages the Honolulu office helping welfare recipients gain employment and educational skills. 

COL Tamashiro is active in the community where he is currently serving as an elected official on the Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board. Also, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Havens of I’l Vistas Town Home Association.  COL Tamashiro enjoys running, reading and being involved in community activities.