Hawaii MOFW Commandery News March 2023

Table of Contents:

Cover Photo: “The Leap to Freedom” Conrad Schuman, an East German border guard

Commander’s Comments.

Aloha Companions and Friends,

This issue focuses on the Cold War, and the feature article focuses on the current security situation that very strongly resembles the Cold War. This issue also draws attention to the first and second purposes of the Order, namely: 1) To honor and perpetuate the names of brave and loyal men and women, and; 2) To keep in mind the memory of their martial deeds and the victories which they helped gain. In this issue the articles cover Cold War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, and Veterans from all conflicts. This issue specifically recognizes the service of Cold War Veterans, for their service that led to America and her allies emerging from the Cold War in a position of strength.

The Commandery continues to support efforts to recognize Vietnam War Veterans for their service, and the stories on the September POW/MIA recognition day and the Cadet Essay Contests demonstrates how we do that. In addition, the story on Companion activities on Veterans Day captures our most recent efforts to remember veterans from all of America

s Wars.

We are now approaching one of the busiest times of the year, which includes the annual awards ceremonies of the ROTC and JROTC units. Please volunteer to present if able. Cadet Awards Chairman Arthur Tulak will be publishing updates to the schedule, and some dates are known and are on the “Upcoming Events” section of this issue. We also have another opportunity to join with fellow Hawaii Veteran Organizations for Memorial Day ceremonies in May.

As a volunteer organization, we rely on each other to keep our Commandery strong, functioning, and engaged with the community. As pointed out p. 12, we need Companions to volunteer to fill Officer positions, as well as committee chairs to carry out our mission of service. Please consider volunteering to serve.

Curtis “Manny” Manchester III

LTC, USA Ret.

Commander

Note From the Editor

Loyal readers will note that we did not publish a December 2022 issue of the Commandery News This was primarily due to the lack of article submissions from Companions to provide sufficient content for the reader. This quarterly magazine relies on inputs and submissions from its Companions. Among these are the updates for the Companion News section. Sometimes those submissions become stand alone articles.

Please consider also submitting 2-4 page articles on various military topics of either current or historical interest.

Arthur N. Tulak, Ed.D, COL, USA Ret.

bolts over concertina to escape to freedom in West Berlin in 1961. https://coldwar.unc.edu/2019/01/ the

leap

into-freedom/

“Deus et Libertas”

Chaplains Corner

By Fred Staedel, Th.D.

As we enter a new year, let us enter it with prayer. Yes, we can pray for a peaceful, positive, and healing 2023. But as we all know prayer is very personal and its application is very unique to each individual adherent. But let us reflect on the structure of prayer, or if you will, what kinds of prayer are there?

No doubt the reader can think of a myriad of ways to pray. But what it comes down to is that prayer is found generally in three types: “Praise, Requests, and Thanks.” Let us take each type of prayer in turn.

PRAISE We have all heard the saying, “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!” We all have challenges in life and some may even be in the “life or death” category. But when we find ourselves in these situations, we can turn thought immediately to the simple act of praising one’s God, which is the initial act of establishing in thought that you acknowledge the power of the Divine be- fore there is any evidence of healing or a harmonious resolution to a problem. When you praise this way, you have prayed knowing that harmony and healing will come. In short, praising in prayer is the expectation of the good to come. And we don’t have to wait for a problem to arise in order to pray with praise. Let us praise the power of one’s God at the beginning of each day.

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalms 145:3)

REQUESTS Petitioning with prayer is of- ten thought of as the standard for praying. We want some- thing or we want something to happen. We ask the Holy Spir- it through the “prayer of peti- tion,” be it for an object of possession, or even of an ob- ject of affection, or be it wealth or even simple security. And of course, we may ask for health and happiness through the avenue of a pray- er request. And one might even venture to pray for oth- ers asking for their health and happiness.

One may ask: Is praying with a request really righteous? Is such petitioning selfish and self-serving? The answer is not at all if the prayer ends with the words: “Thy will be done” or words to that affect. We must take the prayerful posture that when we pray this way, we know that only the Divine knows what is right for us and this Divine Spirit doesn’t take orders but only bestows blessings. Therefore, after each prayer request, we must look for those blessings, those answers to our prayers with an abundance of thanks- giving. We may not get what we want, but we always want what one’s God wants for us.

“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6).

THANKS Prayers of thanks are extremely important. But when do we give thanks? Is it during our prayer or after our prayers are answered? The answer is during both. Yes, we need to express our thanks even be- fore we experience the results of our prayers. Prayers of thanksgiving are the humble expression of gratitude for the results of the prayers of praise and the prayers of requests. When we thank our God, we are expressing not only human gratitude but it also is expressing the acknowledgement that the Divine is omnipotent and the glory belongs to that spiritual power. Therefore, we give our thanks with all our hearts knowing our prayers are answered at the will of one’s God.

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalms 9:11)

Fred

Editor’s Note: The shepherd's crook shown on these pages is emblematic of pastoral ministry, and was the first symbol used to identify Chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces, as the Continental Congress chose the shepherd’s crook as the symbol of the military chaplains in 1775.

https://issuu.com/sonsoftheamericanrev/docs/winter_2020-21

The Army shepherd’s crook of frosted silver on a shoulder strap of black velvet was authorized in 1880 by General Order No. 10. A regulation of 1 May 1899 substituted a silver Latin cross for the shepherd’s crook on shoulder straps, and subsequent regulations instituted pin-on insignia of the cross . This insignia was worn in lieu of rank, which did not return to Army uniforms until 1926, https:// thechaplainkit.com/history/chaplain-issued-items/chaplain-insignia-2/

This gold Navy shepherd’s crook insignia was worn on shoulder boards by two U.S. Navy Jewish Chaplains, David Goldberg and Harold Strauss before the adoption of two tablets of the Ten Commandments, topped by a six pointed Jewish star.

By Compatnion Arthur Tulak

On September 16, 2022, I was pleased to attend a very moving ceremony in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Mrs. Fern Sumpter Winbush, Principal Deputy Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency provided opening remarks, and explained the great work of the agency in identifying MIA who have been recently recovered, and those who were buried as unknowns during WWII. The names of 136 service members were read aloud and printed in the program, showing the date they had been identified, during the period of September 13, 2021 and September 7, 2022.

The Guest Speaker was Ray Kapaun, whose Uncle, U.S. Army Captain, (Chaplain) Ray Kapaun, was lost in the Korean War. Chaplain Kapaun received the Medal of Honor, but his remains were not identified until recently. Emil was a Roman Catholic priest / Army chaplain who served in World War II in the Burma Theater. Chaplain Kapaun served in the 8th Cav Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On Oct 2, 1950, in heavy fighting, his unit was ordered to withdraw, but Chaplain Kapaun, stayed with the wounded. After his capture in Korea, he was imprisoned by in the Chinese-run prison camp, Camp #5. He died in captivity on May 23, 1951 from malnutrition Pyoktang, north Korea.

1,868 returned to the United States by Communist north Korea. These unknowns were buried in the Punchbowl. On March 2, 2021, the DPAA positively identified his remains through DNA. Once his remains were identified, his descendants were notified and the body was reinterred in his home town in Wichita KS.

I was honored to be seated among the VIPs, and wreath presenters in the first three rows.

The entire ceremony can be viewed at https:// www.facebook.com/dodpaa/ videos/1258387404924958

Photo above: Organizations presenting wreaths lined up. This was a rather select group, including the major military commands, several consulate generals, and a few Veterans s civic organizations. Source

Photo right: Donovan Lazarus Commander of the Hawaii Dept. of American Veterans, Col, USMC Ret. Jason Seal Commander of the Captain Gaylord Dillingham Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars, Lt Col, Ret. Vic Bonfiglio

Commandery Commemorates

Veterans Day 2022 in Hawaii

Companions supported Veterans Day at several events. Companion Manchester attended the commemoration at the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific at “the Punchbowl” and Companion Fred Staedel represented the Commandery at the ceremonies held at the WWI Memorial Natatorium. The ceremony started at 11 am, and recognized that important moment in history marking the end of the fighting in WWI on the Western Front, which ended 11th month, the 11th day, and the 11th hour. The American Legion Kau Tom post, aided by VFW post 8616, ran the show, with the Friends of the Natatorium Foundation in support. Historically, this has been one of the best “grass roots” commemorations for marking Veterans Day in Hawaii.

Companion Manchester attended the Mayor’s Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. This year, the presentations of wreaths started early in the morning, before the main ceremony, providing more time for additional speakers. U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Earl Hurrey (Ret.), master of ceremonies. U.S. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, was the senior military speaker, and U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph R. Clearfield, deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, gave the keynote address. Governor David Y. Ige also gave remarks. Other distinguished visitors attending the event included: Honorable Rick Blangiardi, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Consular Corps representatives from Japan, Australia, New Zealand; Flag Officers representing USARPAC, USPACAF, USPACFLT, US Coast Guard Pacific; State of Hawaii Department of Defense; Department of Veterans Affairs, Director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, and Sergeant Major Allan Kellogg, USMC (Ret.), Medal of Honor. The ceremony included a fly-over by four F-22 Raptors.

At the State level, the Hawaii Department of Defense in conjunction with the State Office of Veterans’ Services hosted a Virtual Governor’s Veterans Day Concert and Ceremony. The 111th Hawaii Army National Guard Band was led by Bandmaster and Chief of the Army National Guard Bands. Governor Ige provided his personal message to Veterans in the video, and the current TAG, MG Kenneth Hara served as the senior military official. You can watch the recording here: https://dod.hawaii.gov/ovs/2022-veterans-day-concert/

The Pyramid Rock Young Marines lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance during a Veterans Day Ceremony. At the lectern is LTC Ret. Bob Takao, SAI at Punahou HS Army JROTC (photo by Photo by Cpl. Haley Fourmetgustavsen, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

Companion Fred Staedel at the ceremonies held at the WWI Memorial and Natatorium.

Oahu Veterans Council Report.

Commander Manchester attended the January 28th Meeting of the OVC. Of interest, BGen Joseph Clearfield, Deputy Commander of Marine Forces Pacific was the guest speaker. In addition, the Red Cross joined the OVC, and invited OVC member organizations to join meetings and works with the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and International Services Division. At the this meeting, the Military Order of World Wars, Capt. Gaylord Dillingham Chapter published its plan for a “Massing of the Colors” at the Oahu Veterans Center on June 14, 2023, Flag Day. All member organizations of the OVC are welcome to attend. Finally, a military-themed musical entitled “ Letters from Home, “ is making a 50 States Tour. The act features actress Erinn Dearth and actor Dan Beckman, and will take place at the Paliku Theater in Kaneohe, Wednesday, April 26, 2022, 7 pm. Tickets are available at. www.letterfromhomesingers.com

At the February meeting of the OVC, Hawaii MOFW Companion MG, Ret., Arthur ‘Joe’ Logan was the Guest Speaker. Companion Logan is now the Chief of Police of the Honolulu Police Department and spoke to Veterans about his time as the Adjutant General (TAG) for Hawaii, as well as his current time as the chief of police. Col, Ret. Ed Cruickshank, President of the OVC called on all member Veteran Organizations and Veterans Service Organizations to be more engaged in activities and to attend the monthly OVC meeting. As a member organization, we are required by the terms of the membership to do our best to attend the monthly meeting.

50th Vietnam War Commemoration Cadet Essay Contest

By Companion Arthur Tulak, Chairman of the Commandery 50th Committee

The Commandery will once again sponsor the annual Cadet Essay Contest it started in 2014. Past winning essays have been published in the Commandery News and other media. For examples, the 2016 1st Place essay by Cadet Danthone Buyacao, from W. R. Farrington High School Army JROTC was published in the Scottish American Society National Magazine The Patriot, (Vol. XXXX, No. 2). The 2017 1st place essay, by Cadet Emily Wu, of Punahou High School was published on-line by AUSA at https://www.ausa.org/news/ vietnam-war-essay-winner-honored-lanpac . The 1st place essay, and excerpts from other essays are published in the MOFW Commandery News https://issuu.com/arthur82 See the 2020 winning essay by CDT Raffaele Barry of Waipahu High School at https://issuu.com/arthur82/docs/ hi_mofw_commandery_news_june_2020 See the 2021 winning essay by Cadet Rhapsody Espiritu of Farrington High School at https://issuu.com/arthur82/docs/hi_mofw_commandery_news_june_2021 See the 2022 winning essay by CDT Kennedy Ushiroda of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt High School JROTC at https:// issuu.com/arthur82/docs/hi_mofw_commandery_news_june_2022_final/1

The Hawaii MOFW Commandery will recognize the top-performing essayists, with cash awards: $150 for 1st place; $100 for 2nd place, and $50 for 3rd. The Federal Business Council contributed funds for this year’s prizes, and are thusly listed as one of our 2023 sponsors. The ROA will provide a certificate of achievement signed by the Dept. Commander. The AUSA Hawaii Chapter will provide a certificate of achievement. The DoD Vietnam War Commemoration will award a certificate signed by the Commemoration Director. These awards may change as each organization determines whether it will provide additional benefits. The intent is to collectively raise the incentives for Cadets to undertake scholarly work.

Please volunteer to serve as an essay judge to pick this year’s winners!

Cadet Awards Program Report

By Arthur N. Tulak, Cadet Awards Chairman

Hawaii Wing, Civil Air Patrol Awards Banquet took place 11 September 2022. MajEdGreenUSMCRet.TheQuartermasterof theHawai‘iCommanderypresentedthefollowing cadetswithacertificate,officialMOFWmedal,andribbon:

• HI-009(WheelerCompositeSquadron):C/2dLtJonDylanB.Salvador

• HI-030(MaryknollCadetSquadron):C/SSgtKeoniK.Gomes

• HI-043(LymanFieldCompositeSquadron):C/2dLtMaliaC.Hill

• HI-057(MauiCountyCompositeSquadron):C/LtColMarcellT.Kapas

• HI-060(KonaCompositeSquadron):C/ColAidenJ.Alvarez,

• HI-066(HickamCompositeSquadron):C/SrAZacharyB.Lewis

• HI-073(KauaiCompositeSquadron):C/CMSgtIssacA.Funtanilla

• HI-075(WestOahuCompositeSquadron):C/CaptJose-MisaelH.Nicanor

• HI-077(SaintLouisCompositeSquadron):C/LtColKieranR.Lynch.

Youth Challenge Academy Graduation Class No. 57, December 15, 2022

Colonel, Ret. Jason Seal presented the MOFW medals at the Hawaii Youth Challenge Awards Ceremony at the Waikiki Shell.

The Hawaii YCA program has proven very successful as shown by these statistics:

• 78% of graduates receive a high school equivalency diploma.

• 48% join the workforce.

• 19% continue their education.

• 6% join the military.

Remembering the first Cold War, as Cold War II Takes Shape.

By Arthur Tulak, Editor, Commandery News

The Cold War began September 2, 1945 with the end of World War II, and officially ended December 26, 1991. America passed through the 30th anniversary of the end of this war in December 2021, just 14 months ago. Did anyone notice? How did the United States recognize and commemorate this significant anniversary? How were Cold War Veterans thanked for their service for the generations that followed this achievement? It is difficult to find much evidence of any organized commemoration of the sort that has marked similar anniversaries of ‘hot’ wars.

For those who may not remember, the Cold War ended with the official dissolution of our primary adversary, (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR) marked by the final lowering of the hammer-and-sickle flag from the Kremlin on Christmas Day 1991, and the official dissolution of the USSR on the following day. The former USSR had existed for 69 years, spanned 11 time zones, covered 22 million square kilometers (a sixth of the Earth’s surface), and comprised 15 modern day states.

At the three decade anniversary, a few academic panels and events were convened at think tanks and universities (in the U.S. and abroad) to review history and the lessons it might teach, but in the U.S. DoD and U.S. Veterans Affairs, there is no evidence that any official commemoration was made for this significant and historic victory. The Army Heritage Center hosted an on-line academic discussion on December 9, 2021, with General George Joulwan, former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), and the Simons Center of the Command and General Staff College Foundation held three on-line discussions. However, no official commemorations of note took place on the 30th anniversary, or at least, there is no evidence in the public domain that any occurred. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, which did not mention Cold War Veterans., and the only mention of military was that of the military forces of the Warsaw Pact.1

COLD WAR Veteran Recognition.

The number of Cold War Veterans is significant, given the time period of 46 years over which the Cold War played out. According to Trinity Gruenberg, “There is an estimated 35 million Cold War era Veterans, of which roughly 22 million are still with us.”3 The Dept. of Veterans Affairs recognizes the Cold War Veterans had serviceconnected injuries and lists ten specific types, outside of those associated with operations in a declared war or campaign. https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/health-issues-related-to-service-era/coldwar/ Many Veterans of the Cold War also served in named combat and peace operations, who also can claim their Veteran status from those deployments and periods of service.

Members of Congress have proposed legislation to honor Cold War Veterans for the last twenty years, and have once again taken up the issue, with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), and Representatives David McKinley (R-W.Va.) and Brian Higgins (D-NY), introducing the “Cold War Service Medal Act. “ the proposed legislation “would recognize veterans who served in the Cold War with medals for their distinguished service. “ This legislation, if passed, “would authorize a service medal for those in the military between September 1945 and December 1991 who served on active duty for 24 consecutive months during the Cold War; were deployed outside of the continental U.S. for a period of at least 30 days during the Cold War; or were a member of a reserve unit called to active duty to participate in exercises or operations directly related to the Cold War. If the eligible veteran has passed away, next of kin could also receive the medal in their absence.”2 Congress’ first attempt at a Cold War Medal was not supported by DoD, and instead, a certificate was authorized. The Army still runs the Cold War Recognition Certificate Program via its Human Resources Command, for all services. https://www.hrc.army.mil/ content/Cold%20War%20Recognition%20Certificate%20Program

The Cold War Certificate is the result of an action by Congress in section 1084 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, wherein Congress commended the members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel who contributed to the victory of the Western Alliance in the Cold War, and asked the DoD to recognize Cold War Veterans with a certificate of their service. With the passage of the NDAA for FY 2002 in October 2001, Con

Remembering the first Cold War, as Cold War II Takes Shape (continued).

gress expressed its position with a resolution that the Secretary of Defense should consider authorizing the issuance of a Campaign medal, to be known as the “Cold War Service Medal.” A Cold War Medal was designed (at right), but was never made official. The MOFW has made the Cold War Medal an official medal of the Order, that is authorized for wear by Companions with Cold War Service. What about a Cold War Memorial?

Many Cold War Veterans have sought a memorial in Washington D.C., without success. The Pritzker Museum is stepping in to create a National Memorial in Illinois. The vision of the Cold War Veterans Memorial is to create permanent recognition that stimulates ongoing thought, and study which honors American military and civilians who served and sacrificed during the Cold War era. In line with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s mission, the Cold War Veterans Memorial aims to increase the public understanding of military history. It will be a lasting tribute to the courage and tenacity found in the U.S. Armed Forces and civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served during the Cold War era, September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991. The design, headed by Jenny Wu and Dwayne Oyler, envisions a memorial that embodies the ideals and mission of the Memorial Park, making more tactile a context that can’t be measured in a single name or event – only in glimpses of history. Within these glimpses is a layered timeline of both personal and collective experiences that are emblematic of the Cold War – a paradigm that rebalances the interconnected narratives of American innovation and service. https:// www.pritzkerarchivespark.com/cold-war-veterans-memorial/

Non-Federal Recognition of Cold War Veterans At the State level, there is some effort to recognize Cold War Veterans for their service that contributed to the historic victory. Arkansas, Illinois, and Tennessee will issue Cold War Veteran license plates to Veterans who can prove their service from 1945-1991. A petition drive is underway in Massachusetts for similar license plates. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/petition-tocreate-cold-war-veterans-specialty-license-plate-in-massachusetts/

As explained above, the MOFW recognizes its Cold War Veterans for their service. This is a possible line of effort for State Commanderies to work alongside other Veterans organizations to expand such recognition in meaningful ways. The next anniversaries of the end of Cold War I should not pass without notice, as the relative global peace secured lasted three decades. As the following article points out, another Cold War is taking shape.

End Notes:

1. 116th CONGRESS, 2d Session, Senate Resolution 385, “Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of both Germany and Europe, and the spread of democracy around the world.” https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS116sres385ats/html/BILLS-116sres385ats.htm

2. Office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Press Release, “Pingree Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Recognize Cold War Veterans with Service Medal” October 27, 2021, https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3886 See also “H.R.5757 - Cold War Service Medal Act,” Congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5757?s=1&r=90

3. Trinity Gruenberg, not dated, “Cold War vets get the cold shoulder” https://www.inhnews.com/coldwarvets

Cold War II Has Begun

By Arthur N. Tulak

Many defense analysts have made the case that the United States has entered into the Second Cold War, or simply Cold War II. The first Cold War was a state of conflict characterized not by direct military action between the two primary powers, the USA and the USSR, but rather by proxy wars, economic and political actions, propaganda, and espionage. Defense analysts write about new Cold Wars now emerging, or already existing, between the U.S. and Russia, and between the U.S. and China.

Regarding the US/Russia Cold War II, Andrey Kozyrev, the former Russian Foreign Minister from 1991-1996 provided his perspectives on the 30th anniversary of the end of the Cold War at an event held by the Wilson Center on Dec 9, 2021, to warn that Russia would soon move against the West over the future of Ukraine. 1 His remarks proved true just two months later, when Russia launched a major, multiple axes offensive into Ukraine. George Kennan, the author of our Cold War doctrine of containment had warned in 1998 to avoid policy positions that might start a new Cold War , saying “I think [NATO expansion] is the beginning of a new Cold War. I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies. I think it is a tragic mistake.” 2 Cold War II is not just the United States against Russia via proxy war in Ukraine, as Communist China has been acknowledged by many as an adversary in Cold War II. The 2022 U.S. National Defense Strategy singles out Communist China “as our most consequential strategic competitor and the pacing challenge for the Department” and establishes as a priority “Deterring aggression, while being prepared to prevail in conflict when necessary, prioritizing the PRC challenge in the Indo-Pacific, then the Russia challenge in Europe.”3

One of the commonly accepted characteristics of Cold War I was a competing set of military alliances. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in 1949 to counter the Warsaw Pact of In his 2018 article “Welcome to Cold War II” Michael Lind made the case that as in Cold War I, new alliances were forming that created competing and incompatible blocs.4 Russia and China are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Russia and China now have a bilateral “partnership without limits” that in some ways resembles the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, as each side creates maneuver space for the other. As Stephen Kotkin Explains, “Stalin’s pact with Hitler in 1939 enabled the Soviet dictator to seize and transform Eastern Poland into Western Ukraine, while also snatching for Ukraine pieces of Slovakia and Romania.”5 Russia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, formed on October 7, 2002, following after the Collective Security Treaty of May 15, 1992. The CSTO is a military alliance with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. On the other side, in addition to supporting the growth of the NATO membership, the U.S. has also developed new alliance and military cooperation structures, to include the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States Treaty (AUKUS). According the U.S. General Accounting Office, under the Biden Administration, he quadrilateral defense and security dialogue (known as the ‘Quad’) comprised of the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia, has, since Biden took office, “focused on areas beyond traditional security … [and]...concerns about China’s growing influence and military assertiveness appear to undergird the initiatives.”6 Mr. Lind noted that the Quad “ is widely viewed as a ‘de-facto anti-Chinese alliance.’”7 In addition to these efforts, the U.S. has invigorated and renewed defense agreements with the Philippines. Niall explains how our new National Defense Strategy describes the current state of peacetime competition among great powers to shape a new world order, which is precisely what Cold War I was about when it started.

A second characteristic of a Cold War is that of sanctions regimes. During Cold War I, the U.S. established in 1949 the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM), that it imposed on its Allies to support, to block the USSR from obtaining western technology and other goods.8 The U.S. then established a second sanction regime on Communist China known as CHINCOM in 1952.9 The U.S. Congress has recommended bringing back COCOM in concert with the European Union to control trade with Communist China.10 The U.S. is currently leading an ever-expanding, globally-coordinate sanction regime against Russia in cooperation with its Allies and partners. As the State Dept. explains, “Since February 2022, the United States and our partners and Allies have coordinated to use export controls and sanctions to restrict Russia's access to advanced technology , which has degraded the Russian weapons industry's ability to produce and stockpile weapons to replace those that have been destroyed in the war.” 11

Picture above from Getty Images.

Cold War II Has Begun (continued).

A third characteristic of a Cold War is the use of proxy wars, where in Cold War I, the client states of the Super Powers “engaged in local wars, that they armed and financed, enlarging and prolonging local conflicts by turning them into proxy wars.”12 The United States is now engaged in a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine that shares many characteristics with America’s support of the Afghan resistance fighters against the invading Soviet Armies 1979-1989, where the U.S. provide arms, but did not send forces into Afghanistan. Many analysts have already reached this conclusion. Hal Brands explains “Proxy wars are longstanding tools of great-power rivalry because they allow one side to bleed the other without a direct clash of arms” listing Nicaragua and Afghanistan in the 1980s as classic examples.13 Mr. Brands adds “The key to the strategy is to find a committed local partner a proxy willing to do the killing and dying and then load it up with the arms, money and intelligence needed to inflict shattering blows on a vulnerable rival. That’s just what Washington and its allies are doing to Russia today.” Mr. Brands adds that America and NATO have helped Ukraine to “kill vast numbers of Russian soldiers more than Moscow lost in its decade-long quagmire in Afghanistan.” According to Chuck Todd of NBC News, “The U.S. is fighting a proxy war in Ukraine” and noting that the U.S. is not pushing back on Russia’s messaging that the U.S. is indeed in a proxy war against them.14

A fourth characteristic of a Cold War has been arms races for strategic nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear war. In Cold War I, the “missile gap” vis-à-vis the Soviets was a major concern, as Soviet efforts to outpace the U.S. in the development and fielding of more numerous and more powerful nuclear weapons appeared to be succeeding. We are once again in a nuclear arms race, this time against multiple nuclear powers, all of whom are working hard to increase their capabilities to strike the American Heartland. Writing for the National Interest, James Carroll penned an article titled: “It’s Only Been 30 Years Since the End of the Cold War Why Are We Starting a New One?” In this article, he points out that “A new Cold War is underway, with East-West hostilities quickening; a new arms race has begun.”15 The Communist Chinese are now fully engaged in a race for nuclear superiority with the United States. ADM Charles Richards in 2021 described Communist China’s surging nuclear armament efforts: “We are witnessing a strategic breakout by China. The explosive growth and modernization of its nuclear and conventional forces can only be what I describe as breathtaking, and, frankly, that word breathtaking may not be enough.”16 in his testimony before Congress, explained that “China is already capable of executing any plausible nuclear employment strategy within their region and will soon be able to do so at intercontinental ranges as well. They are no longer a “lesser included case” of the pacing nuclear threat, Russia.”17 ADM Richard also described Russia’s increasing nuclear strength: “Over the last decade, Russia has recapitalized roughly 80 percent of its strategic nuclear forces, strengthening its overall combat potential with an imposing array of modernization efforts and novel weapons programs designed to ensure a retaliatory strike capability by all three triad legs.”18 Both Communist China and Russia have developed hypersonic glide delivery vehicles that can deliver nuclear weapons in a flight profile that our air defense systems will have difficulty tracking and engaging. The Russians have fielded the Avanguard, and the Communist Chinese, the DF21 missile, both of which are a game-changer in any conflict against the U.S.19 Communist North Korea recently declared itself a “nuclear weapons state” in opposition to the United Nations, and in spite of America’s efforts to slow its nuclear program.20 On February 18, 2023, Communist North Korea conducted an operational demonstration launch of its Hwasong-15 ICBM, first tested in 2017. According to Japan’s defense minister, Yasukazu Hamada, the missile’s flight path, speed and trajectory revealed a range of 8,700 miles, which is enough to reach anywhere in the entire continental United States.21 According to Alexander Ward, the North Korean regime may have enough of these ICBMs to overwhelm the 44 ground-based interceptors based in Alaska and California to destroy incoming missiles, or independent reentry vehicle warheads.22

Is Cold War II getting hotter?

Niall Ferguson is one of many analysts who say that we are already in Cold War II, and that these conditions may well lead to World War III.23 Russia’s top diplomat said the invasion of Ukraine no longer represents a proxy war, “but rather a “real” war between Russia and the West.”24 U.S. intelligence now suggests China is considering providing arms and ammunition to Russia.25 The Chinese Communist Party has already declared a “Peoples’ War” against the United States in May 2019.26 As the U.S. Dept. of Defense China Military Power Report explains

Cold War II Has Begun (continued).

“Contemporary Chinese writings link people’s war to national mobilization and participation in wartime as a wholeof-nation concept of warfare.”27 Communist China has also conducted live fire missile exercises over Taiwan, and incessant intrusions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), as well as maritime intrusions of its coastal Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) in an attempt to demoralize the Taiwan populace and to wear down Taiwan’s military response capabilities for when it decides to attack. Gen. Michael Minihan, former Director of Operations J3, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and currently Commander of the Air Mobility Command has written that a full-scale invasion of Taiwan could come as early as 2025.28 As the one year proxy war in Ukraine, and the rising tensions over the Taiwan Straits have shown, Cold War II is indeed getting hotter.

End Notes:

1. Remarks of Andrei Kozyrev, Dec. 19, 2021, at the Wilson Center’s “Perspectives on the 30th Anniversary of 1991 and the Collapse of the Soviet Union,” https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/perspectives-30th-anniversary-1991-and-collapse-soviet-union

2. Tom Z. Collina, November 9, 2019, “The Cold War Ended 30 Years Ago. Why Are Things With Russia So Bad? -Critics said NATO expansion would start a new Cold War. They were right.” https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2019/11/cold-war-ended-30-years-ago-so-why-are-things-russia-so-bad/161200/

3. United States Department of Defense, March 28, 2022, Fact Sheet: 2022 National Defense Strategy, https://media.defense.gov/2022/ Mar/28/2002964702/-1/-1/1/NDS-FACT-SHEET.PDF

4. Michael Lind, May 2018, ‘Welcome to Cold War II’ The National Interest, May/June 2018, No. 155, pp. 9-21, https://www.jstor.org/ stable/10.2307/26557462

5. Stephen Kotkin, February 19, 2023, Washington Free Beacon, 'The War in Ukraine Today and Yesterday' https://freebeacon.com/culture/the-war-inukraine-today-and-yesterday/amp/

6. U.S. General Accounting Office, July 25, 2022, The “Quad”: Security Cooperation Among the United States, Japan, India, and Australia”, https://sgp.fas.org/ crs/row/IF11678.pdf

7. Ibid.

8. Scott Jones, April 9, 2021, ‘Think twice before bringing back the COCOM export control regime,’ Defense News, https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/ commentary/2021/04/09/think-twice-before-bringing-back-the-cocom-export-control-regime/

9. Ibid.

10. Ibid.

11. The U.S. Department of State, Office of The Spokesperson October 20, 2022, Fact Sheet, “The Impact of Sanctions and Export Controls on The Russian Federation.” https://www.state.gov/the-impact-of-sanctions-and-export-controls-on-the-russian-federation/#:~:text=Since%20February%202022%2C% 20the%20United,been%20destroyed%20in%20the%20war.

12. Niall Ferguson, October 22, 2022, Bloomberg, “How Cold War II Could Turn Into World War III” https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-1023/cold-war-2-with-china-and-russia-is-becoming-ww3-niall-ferguson

13. Hal Brands, May 10, 2022, “Russia Is Right: The U.S. Is Waging a Proxy War in Ukraine,” https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/russia-is-right-the-usis-waging-aproxy-war-in-ukraine/2022/05/10/2c8058a4-d051-11ec-886b-df76183d233f_story.html

14. Chuck Todd, NBC News, “U.S. Is Fighting A Proxy War In Ukraine, Chuck Todd Says” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRjAkKOjI9g

15. James Carroll, The Nation, “It’s Only Been 30 Years Since the End of the Cold War Why Are We Starting a New One?” https://www.thenation.com/ article/archive/trump-putin-cold-war/

16. Aaron Mehta, August 12, 2021, ‘STRATCOM Chief Warns Of Chinese ‘Strategic Breakout’, Breaking Defense, https://breakingdefense.com/2021/08/ stratcom-chief-warns-of-chinese-strategic-breakout/

17. ADM Charles A. Richards, Statement Of Charles A. Richard Commander United States Strategic Command Before the Senate Committee on Armed Services 20 April 2021.

18. Ibid

18. Sakshi Tiwari, December 12, 2022, US Identifies China’s DF-17 Hypersonic Missile As ‘Biggest Threat’ That Could Strike Critical Military Bases’ https:// eurasiantimes.com/us-identifies-chinas-df-17-hypersonic-missile-as-biggest-threat/

19. Associated Press, September 10, 202, “North Korea declares itself a nuclear weapons state,” National Public Radio, https:// www.npr.org/2022/09/10/1122196021/north-korea-declares-itself-a-nuclear-weapons-state

20. Choe Sang-Hun, February 18, 2023, “North Korea Launches ICBM,” The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/18/world/asia/north-koreamissile-launch.html

21. Alexander Ward, 8 FEB 2023, Politico, 'North Korea displays enough ICBMs to overwhelm U.S. defense system against them' https://www.politico.com/ news/2023/02/08/north-korea-missile-capability-icbms-00081993

22. Paul D. Shinkman, Jan. 23, 2023, “Russia Now Engaged in a ‘Real’ War With the West Over Ukraine: Lavrov,” https://www.usnews.com/news/worldreport/articles/2023-01-23/russia-now-engaged-in-a-real-war-with-the-west-over-ukraine-lavrov

23. NewsMax, February 19, 2023, “US Warns China Not to Send Weapons to Russia for Ukraine war.” https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/russia-ukrainewar/2023/02/19/id/1109293/

24. Center for Security Policy, “The CCP Is At War With America,” Report of Team B II, June 22, 2022, p. 1. See also, Bloomberg News, May 14, 2019, “China Vows ‘People’s War’ as Trade Fight Takes Nationalist Turn,” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019

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25. U.S. Department of Defense, Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2020 Annual Report to Congress, 26. Mike Tsukamoto, Jan. 30, 2023, “Read for Yourself: The Full Memo from AMC Gen. Mike Minihan,” Air & Space Forces Magazine, https:// www.airandspaceforces.com/read-full-memo-from-amc-gen-mike-minihan/

Hawaii Military History: Battery Willison.

By Arthur Tulak

This is another article focused on discovering and sharing hidden Hawaii military History, and is a follow up to the December 2020 Commandery News where I wrote about Historical Fort Barrette and Fort Weaver. https://issuu.com/arthur82/docs/hi_mofw_commandery_news_dec_2020_final/s/11468505

Exploring old Fort Weaver, I found Battery Williston, named after Also located here were Batteries Williston (active from 1924 1948), and Weaver (active from 19341944). Battery Williston was named after BG Edward Bancroft Williston (July 15, 1837 – April 24, 1920), who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the American Civil War. To review the basics, the construction on Battery Williston began in October 1921 and was transferred for service on 19 Sep 1924. This was a two gun 16" all round fire (ARF) battery emplaced in the open on circular concrete pads. These guns were mounted on M1919 long range carriages that elevated to 35 degrees for maximum range.

What remains of the battery (above) is found in the Navy Housing at Iroquois Point, fenced off and covered in thick woods.

From the Secretary

As reported in the September issue, no elections were held in 2022, officers serving in their posts volunteered to continue serving in their posts. With the new year, we once again have the opportunity for Companions to step forward to serve in a leadership position. Companions are asked to consider serving in an Officer position, or as a Committee Chair. If no volunteers step forward, we will ask those currently serving if they are willing to continue. We are a volunteer organization, and that spirit of volunteering should start in the organization. We will need to vote on the 2023-2035 Officer Slate before the June meeting, where the slate will be sworn in. Officer Positions available: Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary, Treasurer, Quartermaster, Commandery News Editor, and Chaplain. Committee Chair Positions: Vietnam 50th Commemoration, 250th America Commemoration, Cadet Awards Program, Eagle Scout Recognition, and Fund Raising.

The Commandery will submit a reconciliation report to National to confirm all Companions in good standing, with dues paid up. If you have not submitted your annual dues, please send $35 to the address on the last page. Companions not in good standing will be dropped from rolls in the reconciliation report due in April.

Companion News —

Companion Sumner Hunnewell and his wife Sylvia created a coloring and activity book about the Revolutionary War battle at Fort San Carlos in Saint Louis. The British and their native allies, in order to gain control of the Mississippi River, led an attack on the Spanish controlled Saint Louis on May 26, 1780. The hastily built tower fort (Fort San Carlos) was bolstered by nearby French settlers of Sainte Genevieve. The attack by British and their allies failed as did an additional attack against Cahokia across the river in Illinois territory.

Companion Peter Hirai Have you ever wondered why Companion Peter Hirai has "CEM" after his name? He is a Certified Emergency Manager, the highest certification in the Emergency Management field. The highly coveted CEM is awarded by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), the world's largest association dedicated to the EM field. CEM is only awarded after a rigorous application consisting of 3 years of EM experience, professional references, 200 hours of training, six professional contributions to the EM field, a baccalaureate degree, a comprehensive exam and a $600 fee. Renewal is every 5 years with further education and professional contributions required. Companion Hirai received his CEM designation in 2005 and is the longest serving CEM in the State of Hawaii. Peter also volunteers as an International Certification Commissioner; he reviews CEM applications for six months out of the year and is currently serving a threeyear term. There are currently 16 CEM in Hawaii and most belong to the State of Hawaii's premier association for emergency managers, the Emergency Management Professionals of Hawaii. The state association was chartered by Companion Hirai in 2013 and he was its second president. He is currently its secretary.

Companion Arthur Tulak visited the Yorktown Battlefield on January, and saw Redoubt #10 where his 4th Great Grandfather Private Enos Campbell served under Lt Col Alexander Hamilton as part of MG Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette’s Corps of Light Infantry. This site was recreated at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning in the “Last 100 Yards Ramp,” which show-cases the Infantry through the ages, and the hard fighting that characterizes the “last 100 yards,” when closing with the enemy (see the March 2022 Commandery News issue https://issuu.com/arthur82/docs/ hi_mofw_commandery_news_mar_2022_final)

Companion Dan Curtis retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 27 years of service in the United States Army, and received the Army’s Legion of Merit Medal, signed by GEN Charlie Flynn, Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific. Dan has also moved to Washington State, while remaining an Officer and Compatriot in our Society. Dan began his military service as an enlisted soldier in the PA National Guard, and soon after an ROTC Cadet on a full 2.5 year scholarship at King’s College, Wilkes-Parre, PA. He received his commission in the Infantry Branch on June 3, 1995, later transferring to the Quartermaster Corps, and as a Field Grad Officer, assigned the functional area specialty of Army Force Manager. Dan spent a great deal of his Army career in the Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility, with service in California, Hawaii, and Korea. He served in overseas contingency Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (March September 2004)2004).

Dan’s retirement ceremony on July 29, 2022 at Camp H.M. Smith, HQ, USINDOPACOM. From Left to Right, standing: Mr. Tracy Lear, Maj JC Pino, Mr. Lynn Mariano, Arthur Tulak, Dan Curtis, Col Tammy Low, Mr. Kenny Ruggles, Col, Ret. Terri Erdag, LCDR Tim Barnickel, and Maj John “Special” Powers. Front Row: COL LaPoint, Mr. Dennis Palalay, LTC Jim McKay, and Mr. Ben Pulsifer the J82 Director who officiated the presentation of Dan’s Legion of Merit.

Upcoming events:

• March 16, (Thursday) Commandery EXCOM Meeting, Oahu Veterans Center, 1700-1830

• March 29 -Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade. Ceremony at Fort DeRussy Ceremony begins at 1630, followed by a Parade at 1800 in Waikiki beginning at Kalakaua Ave & Saratoga St. and ending at Kapioloani Park at Monserrat St. If we are to participate again in this important annual event recognizing our Vietnam Veterans, we must report our numbers to Early Hurrey of Historic Programs not later than 10 March 2023. For more information go to https://www.vietnamveteransparade.org/

• April 14, Kaiser High School Air Force JROTC Awards ceremony, High School Cafeteria, 1700-2000 hrs.

• April 14, Aiea Air Force JROTC Awards Ceremony, 1700 - 1930 hours in the Aiea HS Cafeteria

• April 14, Farrington High School Army JROTC Annual Awards Ceremony- 1700 hrs, School Auditorium

• April 26, Kahuku Army JROTC, Awards ceremony 1800 hrs

• April 26, Kalaheo HS NJROTC Awards Ceremony 1800-1900 in the Kalaheo gym

• April 27, Kealakehe Army JROTC award ceremony - 1630 hrs at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria.

• May 4—University of Hawaii Tri-Service ROTC Awards Ceremony, 0800 hrs, University of Hawai’i Mānoa Art Building 132 2535 McCarthy Mall

• May 4, Leilehua Army JROTC Awards Ceremony, Thursday, 1800, School Gymnaisum

• May 5, Punahou Army JROTC Awards Ceremony Friday, 1700-1800, Alexander Football Field

• May 5, Kailua AFJROTC Awards Ceremony Details TBD

• May 12, Nanakuli High & intermediate School Army JROTC Annual Awards Ceremony 1700 - 1800 hours in the Multi-Purpose Building.

• May 12, Mililani Army JROTC Cadet Awards Ceremony in the Cafeteria 1730-1900 hours.

• May 20, Armed Forces Day

• May 29, Memorial Day

• June 14 Hawaii Military Order of World Wars will run a “Massing of the Colors” at the OVC. All member organizations invited to participate with their organizational colors.

Hawaii Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars

A non-profit 501 (c) 3 Veterans Organization

Oahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St. Honolulu Hawaii, 96818

Mahalo to our 2023 Sponsors:

Hawaii Chapter, Association of the United States Army