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).