Takeo Ito

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Lieutenant-General Takeo Itō, a World War II Japanese infantry officer convicted of war crimes, was born in Fukuoka, Japan. Upon attaining the rank of Major-General on Aug. 25, 1941, Ito, who had been commanding officer of Japan's 228th Infantry, was now given command of Japan's 38th Infantry Division. Seven days later, he additionally assumed command of the 114th Infantry Regiment.

Ito took part in the Battle of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 1942) and in the Guadalcanal campaign. On Nov. 11, 1942, during the pivotal Battle of Guadalcanal, Ito was positioned by Lieutenant-General Harukichi Hyakutake to attack Marines under the command of U.S. General Alexander Archer Vandegrift. However, Vandegrift called off his offensive that day after receiving intelligence reports of Hyakutake's plans.

He became commander of the 40th Independent Mixed Brigade stationed at New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, on July 4, 1944, and was promoted to Lieutenant-General on November 26 of that year.

Ito was tried as a war criminal for the murder of Chinese civilians and sentenced to death by an Australian triunbal at Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, on May 24, 1946.

This Takeo Ito is a separate entity from the notable Japanese cinematographer Takeo Ito.