Columbia Park Renaming
We invite the community to help us find an inspiring way to honor Torrance resident Ted T. Tanouye. Below, you can review the proposed options and share your thoughts by clicking the survey button. You can also learn more about Ted and the history of Columbia Park.
Option 1: Rename Columbia Park to Ted T. Tanouye Park
On April 7, 2025, the City Manager’s Office staff submitted a Naming Facilities Application on behalf of Councilmember Jon Kaji. The application requested City Council’s consideration to rename Columbia Park to Ted T. Tanouye Park. The Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee met on Tuesday September 2, 2025. The Committee voted 3-0 for the item to be brought to council for further considerations. The item to rename Columbia Park was introduced at the October 7, 2025 City Council meeting, where the City Council voted to defer the idem to the Parks and Recreation Commission for further comment and discussion. At the November 12, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend further research and increase community outreach.
Staff did not identify any conditions in Resolution 68-164 which would prevent the City from renaming Columbia Park.
Estimated Project Cost $10,000 - $30,000
Option 2: Create Ted T. Tanouye Park in an alternative location
This was proposed by Councilmember Dr. Gerson at the January 13, 2026 City Council meeting, as an option for consideration.
This option would establish a new park titled, “Ted T. Tanouye Memorial Park”
The triangle featuring the Ted T. Tanouye Memorial would be combined with the identical triangle on the north side of Carson Street. This would become Ted T. Tanouye Memorial Park.
The section of El Prado Avenue that runs between Torrance High School and the existing memorial, would be renamed Ted T. Tanouye Memorial Drive. This means that the park address would be on Ted T. Tanouye Memorial Drive. The section of Manuel Avenue at the southwest end of El Prado park, that runs between the park and the triangle would be renamed to Go for Broke Way. This would honor Ted’s Army unit, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT).
A new memorial monument honoring the 442nd RCT would be established at the triangle on the north side of Carson Street.
Estimated Project Cost $850,000 - $1,500,000
(Wide price range is dependent on selection of final monument.)
Option 3: Do not implement either proposal
Make no changes to Columbia Park and area around the current Ted T. Tanouye Memorial.
Existing Ted T. Tanouye Recognition
Currently, Ted Tanouye is honored at the Ted T. Tanouye Memorial located at 220 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501, near Torrance High School.
Additionally, the National Guard Armory at 2505 Cabrillo Avenue, Torrance, CA 90501, was renamed the Ted Tanouye National Armory on May 19, 2002. Mr. Tanouye is also honored on the Veterans Memorial Wall in front of City Hall at the corner of Torrance Boulevard and Maple Avenue.
Ted T. Tanouye Biography
Ted T. Tanouye was born on November 14, 1919 in Torrance. He was a lifelong resident of Torrance, and part of Torrance High School’s graduating class of 1938. Despite the passage of Executive Order 9066, which incarcerated Japanese Americans, Tanouye enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1942 and served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. On July 7, 1944, he was wounded in action at Hill 140. After receiving medical attention, Ted was back in the field and wounded again two months later. He died of his wounds after five days and was honored with the Distinguished Service Cross. This honor was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor on June 21, 2000, during a ceremony held at the White House, where President Bill Clinton honored 22 Japanese American veterans of World War II, primarily from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Additionally, Tanouye was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on October 5, 2010, following Public Law 111-254, signed by President Barack Obama, which granted the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service the Congressional Gold Medal.
"Go for Broke" Ted T. Tanouye's Time in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Even before the start of World War II, thousands of Japanese American patriots had enlisted in the United States Army and the Hawaii Territorial Guard. On February 1, 1943, the War Department reclassified Nisei men, ending their status as enemy aliens, making them eligible for the draft. That day, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was formed. The War Department called for 4,000 volunteers for the 442nd RCT, and over 10,000 enlisted.
On April 22, 1944, the 442nd RCT departed for Europe and saw their first action at the Anzio beachhead on June 6, 1944. The 442nd RCT played a pivotal role in liberating Rome, liberating French prisoners of war at Moribach and liberating holocaust survivors at Dachau. After VE Day, members of the 442nd volunteered to serve in the Pacific to defeat the Japanese. The 442nd RCT had a motto of “Go For Broke”, a Hawaiian phrase for giving it your all, and became known as the Go For Broke Regiment.
History of Columbia Park
In June 1968, Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. donated 17.2 acres of land to the City of Torrance, to be used for physical activity and recreation. This was the largest single public land donation in the history of the City. On July 23, 1968 the City Council passed a unanimous resolution (Resolution No. 68-164) to name this land, Columbia Park.
Columbia Park was not fully realized until 1978, but it remains the largest and one of the most utilized parks in Torrance. The park continues to be the home of the KNX radio tower, originally installed by Columbia Broadcasting. The park features a thriving community garden program beginning with 52 plots in January 1975 and has expanded to 125 individual plots. Columbia Park features 4 lighted soccer fields, regularly used by AYSO. The 1.33 mile exercise path is very popular with local residents.
In April 2025, the Torrance City Council approved the construction of a World War II Camp Wall Monument at Columbia Park. This wall will honor the 125,000 unjustly incarcerated Japanese Americans. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi secured a $5 million state grant to educate the public on mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
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