Hawaii Commandery Military order of foreign wars
SEPTEMBER 2021
Commandery News
Table of Contents:
Vol. X, Issue 3, September 2021
been wanting to invite into the Order but weren’t sure if a meeting was the best way to show what we are about, normally a community project or ceremony would be good, but they are on hold for now.
Commander’s Comments……………………………………….……….. p. 1 Naval Air Station Barbers Point Memorial Restored…...….. p. 2 Chaplain’s Corner…………………………………...………………………. p. 3 Youth Challenge Academy Awards ………………....……….....… p. 4 Eagle Scout Recognition …………………………..……..……...……….p. 5 Oahu Veterans Council Report ……………………………………….. p. 5 Commandery honors WWI Centennial Volunteer ……….….. p. 6 50th Vietnam War Commemoration …………………….……..…. p. 6 Commandery Honors Community Exemplars……………...…… p. 7 Commandery Inducts First Allied Veteran Companion ….... p. 9 Hawaii’s Military Memorials— PFC Herbert K. Pililaau …... p. 10 Hawaii’s Military History — Fort Honolulu ……………………… p. 11 Companion News ……………………………………………..…..………. p. 13 20th Anniversary of the 9-11 Attacks………..………………..….. p. 14 Upcoming Events ……..……………...……………………..…......……. p. 15
This issue of the Commandery News continues to focus on local memorials, and celebrates a local Hawaiian military HERO, PFC Herbert K. Pililaau. Likewise, the cover, featuring Honolulu Fort, acknowledges a rich military heritage and history of the Hawaiian Kingdom up through today’s Active, Reserve, and National Guard serving in Hawaii.
Looking forward, we have Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day, and Veterans Day and will want to conduct small ceremonies, consistent with local government and site-specific COVID-19 restrictions on assembly, masking, and physical distancing. With the 20th anniversaries of the Attacks on 9-11-2001, and the launching of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM this month and next, we should reflect on the purposes of our Order, and honor the sacrifices made, to chart our course as America seeks to establish sound defense policy, military strategy, and provide humanitarian assistance to our allies and partners.
Cover Photo: 'View of Kekuanaohu, the Honolulu Fort - Interior', oil on canvas painting by Paul Emmert, c. 1853, Hawaii Historical Society. Originally constructed in 1816, the site is now the Aloha Tower, near the Hackfeld gate.
Commander’s Comments. Aloha Companions and Friends, Our Commandery continues to carry out its programs in pursuit of the 7 purposes of the Order responsibly in compliance with the constraints and restraints of living and making worthy contributions during the global pandemic, just as we and our ancestors did during challenging times in our nations history. So far this year, we managed to carry out commemorations for Memorial Day and ANZAC Day, support Cadet Awards Ceremonies, honor Eagle Scouts and a memorable social event with a guest speaker. The Commandery’s social event on June 11th included a light buffet, an enlightening presentation, induction of a new companion, and an opportunity to socialize with guests who have expressed interest in joining the Order. Col Jason Seal (USMC, Ret.) gave an inspirational presentation on his efforts leading the committee to restore the Naval Air Station Barbers Point Memorial and the work that went into this effort. We also inducted our newest Companion Lieutenant Retired (USN) Dan Garcia who works in the J9 USINDOPACOM’s Legislative Affairs Division; he is going to be a companion to watch! We all agreed that this event was perfect for inviting guests and reinvigorating our companions in the Comradery and purposes of the Order. We need to do more of this, and I encourage Companions to nominate deserving members in the Community, it is always great to be able to invite people we respect to share their experiences with likeminded individuals. This forum is also a great venue to invite friends and colleagues that we
My priorities for the remainder of my tenure are to continue to find creative ways to get our companions and guests of the same mind to come together, in accordance with the State and County COVID restrictions, for memorials, leadership, patriotic, and social purposes. Particularly to ensure we honor Veterans Day at an appropriate venue such as the World War One Memorial Natatorium and possibly the Grand Army of the Republic and veterans graves at Oahu Cemetery. We are also looking for suggestions for small memorial events we can do ourselves when the larger traditional organized ceremonies are necessarily cancelled or restricted to small groups of invited dignitaries. Please share your ideas for getting people together, particularly for commemorating Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day, we must no forget to honor the Veterans and companions of this conflict.
“Deus et Libertas”
Curtis “Manny” Manchester III LTC, USA Ret. 1
Naval Air Station Barbers Point Memorial Restored By COL Ret. Arthur Tulak, Ed.D. This article provides an update from the March issue of the Commandery News, on the effort to restore the Naval Air Station Barbers Point Memorial. Colonel Jason Seal, of the American Veterans (AMVETS) Hawaii, successfully led a small committee to restore this important memorial, which was rededicated on June 6, 2021 in an inspiring ceremony hosted by AMVETS Hawaii Commander Donovan Lazarus. The senior military speaker was Rear Admiral Robert B. Chadwick II, Commander of Navy Region Hawaii. Other speakers included: BG Ret. Alexander Kozlov; Hawaii State Senators Mike Gabbard of District 20, and Bob McDermott of District 40; Col. Ret. Ron Han the Director of the Hawaii State Office of Veterans Services; inspirational speaker and combat veteran COL, Ret. Greg Gadson; National Parks Service Superintendent Scott A. Burch; and Kalaeloa Heritage Park President Mr. Dwight Victor. Delivering their remarks virtually were Jan Brown the National Commander of AMVETS, and CDR Ret. Louis Conter a USS Arizona Survivor. The rededication of the memorial was a component of the ceremony that commemorated the 79th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway, which took place 4-7 June 1942. Col. Seal’s committee which managed to complete the project on a highly compressed time line of 6 months, after two previous committees struggled with it for over three years without success. Commander Manchester represented the Commandery and presented one of three wreaths during the ceremony, the other two coming from AMVETS National HQ and the Capt. Gaylord Dillingham Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. The wreathlaying marked the beginning of the ceremony, and demonstrated the philosophy of our Commandery, that we are happy to support other Veterans Service Organizations on projects of common interest. Marine Corps JROTC Cadets from Kapolei High School assisted with the placement of the wreaths and remained astride them on the flanks of the memorial wall during the ceremony. The National JROTC Honor Platoon Cadets conducted the roll call of names of the casualties of the Battle of Midway. Headquarters Marine Forces Pacific provided the band and other support. Companion Tulak, who is also a life member of AMVETS, served as Col Seal’s Vice Chairman , focusing on liaison with other Veterans Organizations and supporting the public relations campaign to raise awareness and donations. This project received wide support in the form of donations from the community in Commander Manchester renders a hand salute after prethe amount of $25,537.31. The Hawaii Commandery was acknowledged in the event senting the wreath in honor of program for its donation of $100., listed alongside other Veterans organizations who also donated, to include the American Legion Post 17, the MOWW, and several AMVETS all who served at NASBP. Posts. Along with these monetary donations, the total value of donations of goods and services in-kind valued at $38,639.21, which resulted in a memorial that exceeded all expectations. This project received no federal, state, or municipal funding, and as reported in the March 2021 issue of Commandery News, this effort was entirely volunteer-driven, under the leadership of Col Seal.
Left: the reconstructed memorial before the ceremony. Right: MOFW and MOWW wreaths flank the memorial wall. 2
The Governor acknowledged the three year absence of the memorial in his special message thanking the AMVETS and the many other Veterans and Community organizations that took part, while the Mayor proclaimed the week of 1-6 June to be “Naval Air Station Barbers Point Remembrance Week.” For all the Veterans present, it was a great accomplishment that demonstrated a shared interest in preserving our military memorials and military history.
Left: Senators Bob McDermott and Mike Gabbard thank the members of Col Seal’s AMVETS Committee with a special Commendation Certificate from the State Senate, signed by 20 Senate members. From left to right: Sen. Bob McDermott, Capt. USMC, (Former), SCPO Dean Capelouto, MSG Mary Noland, COL Ret. Arthur Tulak, Col Ret. Jason Seal, AMVETS Hawaii Commander Donovan Lazarus, and Sen. Mike Gabbard. Right: Commander Manchester thanked COL Gadson for his inspiring remarks following the ceremony .
Chaplains Corner By Fred Staedel, Th.D. Well, it would appear that we are once again challenged with new virus variants. And our human leaders will be again faced with difficult decisions on our behalf. But one’s faith in a divine power need not be challenged or changed unless we elect to forfeit that faith for ourselves. Having faith cannot be diminished, destroyed, or taken from us unless we surrender it. And it may be noted that the word “surrender” is only employed seven times in the Christian Bible and always in the context that we do not surrender our religious faith to men but we only “surrender” to the power and grace of God. 1st Corinthians 2:5 tells us, “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” One’s faith in God, however we define Him/Her, is totally under our individual control. Each individual has the power to believe, to embrace, and to even worship a spiritual power that can be relied upon to guide one’s life. With faith in the spiritual and not the human, we can have the power to “weather the storm” that seems currently to be a new constant in our lives. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) It is respectfully submitted that St. Timothy is correct in soliciting our “self-discipline” as the key factor in “keeping the faith” during the current health challenge that has befallen our country and the world as a whole. And we do have the “power” and the “love” to engage the needed self-discipline in ourselves in order to secure our faith in the future and our faith in our leaders because the true “Leader” is our God. Therefore we will be led to inevitable health and harmony. “I am led by the Spirit of God…” (Romans 8:14)
Fred
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Youth Challenge Academy Graduation By COL, Ret. Arthur Tulak, Ed.D. I had the pleasure of representing the Hawaii Commandery at the graduation and awards ceremony of the Youth Challenge Academy Class 54, at the Academy grounds of the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point on June 10, 2021. Distinguished guests in attendance included MG Ken Hara, Adjutant General of Hawaii; BG Stephen Logan, younger brother of MOFW Companion MG, Ret. Arthur Joe Logan; BG Ret. Bruce Olivera, Director of Community Programs Hawaii DoD; Sinaita’aga Atanoa, Director of the Youth Challenge Academy, and State Senator Mike Gabbard. Past graduate of Class 6, and mentor for Class 53, Hawaii Police Department Officer Star Oliver Shelton was the motivational speaker. Officer Shelton recounted her own difficult journey as a teenager who had lost her way, and through the YCA, was able to fulfill both her professional and academic dreams, of becoming a Police Officer and obtaining baccalaureate and post graduate degrees. I was very pleased to present the MOFW Silver Medal for Academic Excellence to Cadet Kea’alawaioluokanauikauanoe Sabedong, and the MOFW Bronze Medal for Leadership to Cadet Mana Hoapili Both cadets successfully completed the course of study and receiving their High School Diplomas from the Adult Schools Division, Hawaii State Department of Education. Cadet Mana Hoapili won the leadership honors for his class receiving both teh MOFW and AMVETS awards. . Cadet Hoapili also received the AMVETS award/stipend. Cadet Hoapili enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to basic training in July. After completion of recruit training, Ho’opili will attend the Marine Corps’ School of Infantry where he will be earning the MOS of 03XX! You can watch the awards presentations at https://www.facebook.com/ youthchallengeoahu/videos/1205369476580136
Above —LTC Ahmad Martin, Kapolei MCJROTC Instructor with Cadet Hoapili after he received the MOFW Bronze Leadership Medal and AMVETS award.
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Photos: Top & Center —COL Tulak presents the MOFW Silver Academic Medal to Cadet Sabedong. Bottom: COL Tulak presents the MOFW Bronze Leadership Medal to Cadet Hoapili.
Hawaii Commandery Honors Eagle Scouts By COL, Ret. Arthur N. Tulak , Ed.D. Eagle Scout Committee Chairman The Hawaii Commandery recognized with a certificate, Bronson Kane Keahi Klein, a member of the Boy Scout Troop 1095 in Hilo, Hawaii and Aloha Council in Hilo, Hawaii, on his achievement of earning the Eagle Scout Rank on June 8, 2021. To reach the rank of Eagle Scout, Bronson, earned 24 merit badges and has served his troop in a variety of leadership positions, to include senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, troop guide, patrol leader, and scribe, and participating in service projects. Bronson completed a major community service project, the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge Tree Planting, as part of the requirements for promotion to Eagle rank. Bronson organized the planting of over 700 Native Hawaiian Plants at the refuge as part of a research project that will be documented for many years. Bronson just graduated from Waiakea High School and plans to continue his education at San Diego State University. The court of honor was conducted on August 7th on the island of Hawaii, where the certificate was presented. All Companions are encouraged to reach out to the Scout Troops in their area to let them know that our Commandery is providing this service, and to volunteer to present the award at the Court of Honor.
Oahu Veterans Council Report by Secretary Arthur Tulak The OVC met on 24 July, but had to cancel the 28 August meeting due to the Mayoral proclamations on COVID mitigation measures. RDML, Ret. Alma Grocke reported that the commissioning date for the USS Daniel K Inouye has not been set yet. The committee is looking to maximize community access, as much as possible in accordance with extant COVID-mitigation measures in effect. CDR Cindy Fields , Navy Public Affairs reported that the Navy is working closely with the OVC on the Veteran’s Day Ceremony which will be honoring submariners and the submarine force. With the recent spike in the daily count of COVID infections, the plan for Veterans Day 2021, may give way to an entirely virtual event, as was the case for Memorial Day. Claire Levinson reported recently that the OVC will ask for photos once again from the Veterans organizations that make up the membership of the council. Col. Ret. Ron Han, Director of the Office of Veterans Services of the Hawaii State Dept. of Defense reported that the plaque for the WWII Memorial at Punchbowl and King Streets is being manufactured. The National Association of Letter Carriers is providing a significant amount of sponsorship for this memorial. Since March 2020, men and women of the Hawaii National Guard conducted screening of passengers at airports and harbors, assisted with road closures, established quarantine facilities, did logistics planning, staffed mobile testing sites and undertook many other emergency response measures . Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi – Hawaii Army National Guard informed the Council that funding for the COVID response will end 30 September, and that National guard members will be demobilizing before this date. 5
Hawaii Commandery recognizes volunteer of the Hawaii WWI Centennial Commemoration. Companion Arthur Tulak coordinated for the recognition of LTC, Ret. Dave Carlson, for his exemplary support of the Hawaii World War One Centennial Commemoration that ran from 2014 to 2020. As the Senior Army Instructor of Farrington High School, Dave established a program of study on the Great War and the experience of Hawaii’s civilian and military communities. Farrington High School JROTC participated strongly in the WWI Centennial Cadet Essay Contest, with Farrington Cadets submitting more essays than any of the other JROTC units in Hawaii. Dave provided hands-on learning experiences as part of his program of study, that included having the cadets serve in important support roles during the capstone ceremony on the centennial of the Armistice going into effect, on November 11, 2018, which was attended by the Governor, the Mayor, members of the Hawaii Congressional delegation, Commander of U.S. IndoPacific Command, the Army, Navy, and Marine service commands, the XIV Coast Guard District, and Special Operations Command Pacific. The good work of these cadets was noticed by the Mayor and the Senior officers present. Dave was unable to attend the closing ceremony held on June 28 2019 at the Governor’s Mansion, and the COVID pandemic did not permit an appropriate ceremony until now. LTC Carlson received a certificate signed by former Adjutant General Arthur J. Logan.
Above and Right: Presenting the award is Vice Principal Ms Julie Ledgerwood. Center: the Hawaii WWI Centennial Volunteer medal.
50th Vietnam Veteran Recognition Program Recognizes Idaho Veteran with the 50th Vietnam War Veteran Pin By COL Ret. Arthur Tulak The Hawaii Commandery presented the 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Pin to Vietnam Veteran Robert B. Byerly who served in the U.S. Air Force. Bob is a resident of Mountain Home Idaho, and his sister Alice contacted the Commandery about the award. Bob has a Hawaii connection as his last active duty assignment was in Hawaii with the 388th Electronic Combat Squadron in Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Airfield. Bob’s decorations include the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon. Bob received the pin, along with a certificate signed by the Commander and 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Chairman to mark the occasion, in the absence of presenting it in-person, as is our custom. 6
Commandery Honors Community Exemplars Companions were happy to once again be able to meet in person on June 11th, as the COVID 19 pandemic originating in Communist China continued to disrupt the lives of people across the globe. Companions gathered for a social at the Sunset Lanai, hosted by the Commandery to honor exemplars in the community. Honored Guests included Col, USMC Ret. Jason Seal and Franklyn Harrison. Col Seal provided a moving presentation on the great work of his committee to restore the Naval Air Station Barbers Point Memorial, an effort chronicled in the pages of this magazine. The Commandery recognized Col Seal for his leadership and significant accomplishment, which directly supports the first and second purposes of the Order since its founding in 1894, 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. Under Col Seal’s leadership, his committee overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to accomplish in 6 months what two previous committees could not do in over three years. The memorial was rededicated on June 6th. Commander manchester presented Col Seal with the MOFW Meritorious Service Medal, which may be presented to non-Companions for service.
The Commandery also recognized Theodora “Teddy” Brown Harrison, who made the wonderful wreath that was featured on the cover of the June 2021 issue of Commandery News. Teddy was a U.S. Army Nurse Corps nurse; a Veterans Affairs nurse in the Vietnam Soldier Annex, Los Angeles, Calif.; and an American Red Cross volunteer charge nurse at Presidio, San Francisco, Calif., during the War Orphan Airlift (Operation Baby-lift) Fall of Saigon, 1975. Teddy was recognized for her incredible support to both the 50th Vietnam War Commemoration and the Hawaii World War One Centennial. Teddy was the President of “Remember the Lady,” a grass roots organization dedicated to honoring Military Nurses, and a registered 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Partner. where she helped to coordinate an event at Tripler Army Medical Center honoring Army Nurses. Teddy also supported the capstone event of the Hawaii WWI Centennial on November 11, 2018 at the War Memorial in Waikiki, where she distributed “Flanders Flowers” hand-made poppy flowers she had prepared to distribute, while supporting the reenactment as a WWI nurse in a historically accurate uniform. Teddy was unable to attend, and so her husband and Army Vietnam War Veteran Franklyn accepted both a Commandery Citation and a Hawaii WWI Centennial Volunteer Recognition Certificate signed by Companion and former Hawaii Adjutant General Arthur J. Logan. Photos. Top: Col Seal briefs the assembled guests on the complex project of restoring the Naval Air Station Barbers Point that had just successfully concluded just a week prior. Center: Commander Manchester presenting Col Seal with the MOFW Meritorious Service Medal. Bottom: Franklyn Harrison accepting the WWI Centennial Commemoration Volunteer Certificate, one of two awards for his wife “Teddy.”
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In addition to honoring community exemplars, the Commandery inducted its newest Companion, LT, former, Daniel Garcia. Dan was selected for direct-commissioning into the U.S. Navy Reserve on November 14, 2002 as a Public Affairs Officer, and was assigned to the Navy Information Bureau, Detachment 102 at Naval Station Norfolk. Dan served subsequent assignments in the Public Affairs Staffs of U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He was mobilized in August of 2007in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and assigned to the Public Affairs Office of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force—Arabian Peninsula (CJSOTF-AP) in Balad, Iraq, from September 7, 2007 to March 8, 2008. Dan continues to serve his country as a Department of the Navy Civilian in the J9 Directorate of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith. All in attendance enjoyed the buffet and bar offerings set up by the Camp Smith Sunset Lanai staff, who did a wonderful job catering our social event. We look forward to doing this again next year. Commander Manchester presents Companion Garcia with his diploma and Veteran neck medal, signifying his induction into the Order.
The assembled participants (less Col Seal) from Left to Right: MOFW Candidate Major Alberto Nunez , Companion Larry Dicks, Franklyn Harrison, Companion LTC Dan Curtis, Companion COL, Ret. Peter Hirai, Companion LT (Former) Dan Garcia, Commander LTC Ret. Manny Manchester, Secretary COL , Ret. Arthur Tulak, Becky and Fred Staedel, Mrs. Jacqueline Grose and MOFW Candidate. LTC Ret. Chris Grose, andMrs Lea Atchley and MOFW Candidate Col Jim Atchley. USAF 8
Hawaii Commandery inducts Allied Companion into Military Order of Foreign Wars On July 8, 2021, U.S. Army Brigadier General Winston Brooks, NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps deputy chief of staff for operations, presided over the induction ceremony of Spanish Army Brig. Gen. Carlos Salgado Romero, ARRC Deputy Chief of Staff for Support, into the Military Order of Foreign Wars, as a Companion of the Hawaii Commandery during a ceremony on Imjin Barracks, Gloucester, United Kingdom. BG Salgado was accepted as an Allied Officer Veteran for his qualifying service alongside American forces during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. Companion Salgado began his military career in 1982 as a cadet in the General Military Academy, and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry in 1987. His first tour of duty was with the 52nd Infantry Regt. in the city of Mililla in Spanish North Africa, followed by a two-year tour in the Spanish Foreign Legion in the “Alejandro Farnesio Regiment” in Ronda-Málaga. As a Captain he served in the mechanized infantry regiment “La Reina 2” in Córdoba, and did a 6 month tour of duty in Bosnia Herzogovina as part of UNPROFOR. In 1998, he completed teh General Staff Course in Madrid, and was assigned as the G3 of the 10th Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Córdoba. He later deployed to Kosovo Above: BG Brooks conducts the induction ceremony for BG Salgado, for 6 months as the Chief of Operations for the Spanish July 8, 2021 at HQ, ARRC, Innsworth UK. Below, Companion Salgado Task Force “Tizona.” with his MOFW Diploma. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Elvis Umanzo. In 2004, he was assigned to the Allied Joint Force Command Naples in the J3, Information Operations Directorate, where he conducted several recce tours to the Balkans, as part of Operation JOINT ENTERPRISE, that began in 2005, and which included KFOR activities, NATO-EU interaction, and the NATO HQs in Skopje, Tirana and Sarajevo. Promoted to LTC in 2007, he was posted to the Spanish Land Force HQ in Seville, where he completed several recce tours in Lebanon. Thereafter, he was assigned in 2009 as the Chief of the 8th Legion Battalion in Almeria, where he completed a 7 month tour in Afghanistan as the Chief of an Infantry Kandak Operational Mentoring Liaison Team (OMLT) in the Helmand Region with a team selected from his Battalion.
In 2012, then LTC Salgado was posted again to LF HQ, where he would be promoted to COL in 2014, and assigned as the Chief of the Preparation and Operations Branch, where he contributed to the build-up of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force Land (VFTF-L). Promoted to Brigadier General, he was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Support at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, at HQ Innsworth, United Kingdom. BG Salgado comes from a long tradition of military service. His Great Grandfather, Santos Salgado Araujo was a Captain in the Infantry and participated in several armed conflicts to include: 1) the Spanish Civil War (Guerra Carlista) (1872-1873; 2) the Cuba Campaign (1876-1877), and; 3) the Philippines Campaign (1896 and 1897). He was killed in action commanding his Infantry Co. in Cavite, Spanish Philippines fighting the insurgency in 1897. His Grandfather, Colonel of the Infantry, Ignacio Salgado Gaspar, participated in the Africa Campaign in 1919, the Spanish Civil War (19361939). His Father, Ignacio Salgado Roy (1929-1994), was also a Colonel of the Infantry, as are his two brothers, Col Ignacio Salgado Romero and Col Eduardo Salgado Romero. BG Salgado’s son is a Cadet 2nd Lieutenant in the Spanish Air Force Academy who will receive his commission in July 2022. 9
Welcome Companion Salgado!!
Hawaii’s Military Memorials— PFC Herbert K. Pililaau Memorial
A significant military memorial on Oahy is an Army Recreation
Center named in honor of Medal of Honor Recipient and Hawaii native, Herbert Kailieha Pililaʻau (October 10, 1928 – September 17, 1951). Originally called Waianae Army Recreation Center, the facility was officially renamed Herbert K. Pililaau Army Recreation Center in December 2003. The memorial is a living memorial, in that authorized patrons enjoy the recreation facility located on the Southwest coast of Oahu. The actual memorial marker is shown below, and features a plaque bearing his likeness and a summary of his gallantry that resulted in his posthumous award of the MOH. The recreation center is located in Waianae, his birthplace. The center features 39 beachfront rental cabins, along with meeting facilities for active duty, retirees, Department of Defense and federal employees.
Aerial view of the Army Recreation Center and map location at right.
His MOH citation reads: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Herbert K. Pililaau (ASN: 50001702), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Pia-ri, Korea, on 17 September 1951. The enemy sent wave after wave of fanatical troops against Private First Class Pililaau's platoon which held a key terrain feature on "Heartbreak Ridge." Valiantly defending its position, the unit repulsed each attack until ammunition became practically exhausted and it was ordered to withdraw to a new position. Voluntarily remaining behind to cover the withdrawal, Private First Class Pililaau fired his automatic weapon into the ranks of the assailants, threw all his grenades and, with ammunition exhausted, closed with the foe in hand-to-hand combat, courageously fighting with his trench knife and bare fists until finally overcome and mortally wounded. When the position was subsequently retaken, more than 40 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so valiantly defended. His heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the United States Army.
In addition to the Army Memorial, a U.S. Naval Service ship is named after him, the Cargo transport USNS Pililaau (TAKR-304) , shown at left in Pearl Harbor.
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From the Cover: Hawaii’s Military History — Fort Honolulu By COL Arthur Tulak, Ed.D. The oil on canvas painting on the cover of this issue of Commandery News is Paul Emmert’s 'View of Kekuanaohu, the Honolulu Fort - Interior', circa 1853, which provides a view of one of the fort, one early modern, western-style forts constructed in Hawaii. This article is focused on the history of the modern, Western-style forts constructed in Honolulu. The first Honolulu Fort was built in 1816 by the Russian-American Fur Trading Company, under the direction of German adventurer Georg Anton Schäffer (1779-1836). Much of what we know about forts in Hawaii is due to Historian Walter Judd wrote about forts and palaces through the entire monarchy period.1 In 1816, Honolulu was known as Kou, and the this fort was called Fort Kekuanohu.2 Russian great power competition. In 1804 Russians explorers and traders arrived in the Hawaiian isles aboard ships in the service of the Russian-American Trading Company operating out of Fort Saint Michael, in what is now known as Old Sitka, Alaska.3 Russian explorer, Otto von Kotzebue began a scientific journey of exploration, sailing out of St. Petersburg on July 30, 1815 to find a passage across the Arctic Ocean and explore the less-known parts of Oceania. In November 1816 Kotzebue entered Kailua Bay (Island of Hawaii) aboard the Russian brig Rurik, gaining the attention of the Kamehameha I, King of Hawaii and Oahu.4 During this time, Kotzebue met with King Kaumualii, the last king of Kauai, and conspired with him to take over the islands that Kamehameha I controlled. The Russians built four forts on Kauai, which included one built at Waimea, the remains of which, are still visible today.5 Otto von Kotzebue In 1815, Kamehameha I granted Russian representatives permission to build a storehouse near Honolulu Harbor. This project was under the direction of Mr. Schaffer who designed and oversaw the construction of a fort. According to Peter Young, “When Kamehameha discovered the Russians were building a fort (rather than storehouses) and had raised the Russian flag, he sent several chiefs, along with John Young (his advisor,) to remove the Russians from Oahu by force, if necessary.”6 Very little of this fort, erected on the grounds of what is today Walker Park (the site of the gate to the former Hackfeld Company) remains, however Fort Street in downtown Honolulu was so-named because the street led to the gate of the original fort.7
The Hawaiian Kingdom Rebuilds the Fort. Soon after the Russians left, the Hawaiians built a new fort nearby out of coral blocks faced with adobe clay, also known as Fort at Honolulu, or Fort Kamehameha I, Ka'ahumanu, or Kapapu. John Adams Kuakini, governor of Oahu, rebuilt the fort, extending its walls to a height of 16 feet and a thickness of 12 feet. The fort depicted in the painting was rectangular in shape, enclosed about 2 acres and measuring 340 feet long and 300 feet wide.8 According to Honolulu Star Advertiser Reporter Bob Sigall, the fort was the largest structure in the islands at the time.9 The new Honolulu Fort was immediately south of the intersection of modern-day Fort Street Queen Street. Hawaiians gave the fort the nickname of Kekuanohu, which literally means ‘the back of the scorpion fish,’ as in ‘thorny back,’ because of the guns that protruded from the fort walls, and also called it Kepapu, “the gun wall.”10 The number and assortment of cannon employed at the fort grew by the process of accretion of guns “of various calibers from assorted foreign ships, and by 1830, the fort had 40 guns mounted on the parapets all (6, 8, 12 and probably a few 32 pounders).”11 In 1838 there were 52 guns reported, and this grew to 63 guns in 1846, when the fort had a garrison of 286 soldiers, and the water-facing fort wall looking into the harbor was rounded to deflect cannon balls.12 In 1846 there were 63 guns mounted, with 286 men in garrison. In 1849 there were 70 guns reported.13 The fort included enlisted barracks, Officers' quarters, the Governor's House, prison cells, a guardhouse and several powder magazines.14 11
British Occupation. On February 25, 1843, when it seemed that a war with France was likely, Lord George Paulet, Captain of the Royal Navy Frigate Carysfort, took over the fort under a provisional cession of the Hawaiian Kingdom to Great Britain.15 The Union Jack was flown over the Honolulu Fort, and across all the Hawaiian Isles, as British forces assumed responsibility for security for a period of five months. The provisional cession ended July 31, 1843, and the Hawaiian flag was again unfurled over the fort in a ceremony at which Admiral Richard Thomas of the Royal Navy declared that Queen Victoria acknowledged Kin Kamehameha III the legitimate King, and that Great Britain would treat as an “Independent Sovereign.”16
The French Navy Raid of 1849. On August 12, 1849, French Admiral Louis-François-Marie-Nicolas Le Goarant de Tromelin arrived in Honolulu Harbor on the corvette Gassendi along with his flagship, the frigate La Poursuivante, where he met with the French Consul Guillaume Patrice Dillon, who presented the admiral with a list of complaints against the Hawaiian Kingdom and its treatment Captain, Lord George Paulet, of French subjects, to include persecution of Catholics and the high tariffs on French bran- Royal Navy. dy.17 Admiral de Tromelin was angered by these reports and worked with Dillon to compose ten demands to King Ka mehameha III, which were presented the king on August 22nd.18 Two days later on August 25, when the demands had not been met, and following a second warning to civilians of an impending military action, 140 French Marines with two field pieces, and scaling ladders were landed by boat to conduct a raid.19 The French marines captured an empty Honolulu Fort from the two men defending it, Governor of Oahu Mataio Kekuanaoa and Marshal of the Kingdom Warren Goodale, who did not resist, the fort having been evacuated before the French landed.20 The Marines then set to dismantling it and spiking its guns and throwing kegs of powder into the harbor and destroying any weapons they found (mainly muskets and ammunition), while the king and his cabinet 21 Huddled inside the Palace, expecting worse to come. On a Sunday morning, August 26, 1849, a broadside of the complaints and demands was posted extensively—against the laws of the Kingdom—on the walls of Honolulu. The circumstances were tense, as French warships were poised menacingly off shore. On the 25th, The raid of government buildings and general property in Honolulu, caused $100,000 in damages.22 After these raids, the invasion force withdrew to the fort, although reportedly, the French flag never flew over the fort.23 Admiral de Tromelin eventually recalled his men and left Hawaii on September 5th.24
Admiral de Tromelin, from a French postage stamp issued in 2013 for the Australasia and Antarctic Territories. https://www.elitereaders.com/ castaways-tromelin-island/
The Fort is Dismantled. By 1850 hundreds of whaling vessels and ships trading in the California gold rush crowded the harbor, and the fort lost its importance, with All the guns had been sold off in 1853.25 The kingdom assessed that the fort was no longer necessary for defense, and it was torn down in 1857. More than 1,500 cubic yards of its coral blocks were used to used to construct a harbor breakwater.26 Today, only one of the original muzzle-loading cannons still remains in the city, embedded in the sidewalk in front of the Kamehameha V Post Office one block away from the fort site.27 This cannon is accompanied by another period cannon (which might also be from the fort), and the two stand “like sentries on either side of the sidewalk corner” and which were used as horse hitching posts.28
Endnotes: 1.
2. 3.
4. 5.
Spencer Leineweber, April 2015, Ho‘okowa ‘Oiwi [To Maintain Indigenous Space]: Space, Culture and Change in Nineteenth-Century Hawaii”, A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The Australian National University. https://openresearchrepository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/151087/2/b37327677_Leineweber_S.pdf Pete Payette, 2014, American Forts Network American Forts West. https://www.northamericanforts.com/West/hi.html National Park Service, Sitka National Historical Park “The Russians” https://www.nps.gov/sitk/learn/historyculture/the-russians.htm See also Peter T Young, Ho‘okuleana , April 27, 2012, Fort Kekuanohu (Fort at Honolulu), http://totakeresponsibility.blogspot.com/2012/04/fortkekuanohu-fort-at-honolulu.html Leineweber, op. cit. p. 112 Bob Sigall, October 30, 2016 “Honolulu Fort is Gone but the History Behind it Remains” Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. https://
12
6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.
Peter T Young, Ho‘okuleana , April 27, 2012, “Fort Kekuanohu (Fort at Honolulu),” http://totakeresponsibility.blogspot.com/2012/04/fortkekuanohu-fort-at-honolulu.html) See the March 2020 Commandery News Vol. IX, Issue 1, March 2020 Bob Sigall, October 30, 2016 “Honolulu Fort is Gone but the History Behind it Remains” Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. https:// historichawaii.org/2016/11/04/honolulufort/ Ibid. Bob Sigall, op. cit, citing Walter Judd’s book “Palaces and Forts of the Hawaiian Kingdom.” See also Peter T. Young, Ho‘okuleana , April 27, 2012, op. cit. Ibid. Ibid. Pete Payette - ©2014 American Forts Network American Forts West, https://www.northamericanforts.com/West/hi.html Ibid. Merze Tate, “Great Britain and the Sovereignty of Hawaii,” Pacific Historical Review, November 1962, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 327-348. Of note, all the Hawaiian flags were ordered destroyed upon effect of the temporary cession, and new flags had to be sewn for the return ceremony on 31 July. Ibid. Peter T Young, Ho‘okuleana , April 27, 2012, op. cit. Hawaiian Journal of History: Devoted to the history of Hawaii, Polynesia and the Pacific area, Volume IV, 1967 Daws, Gavan (1968). Shoal of Time: A History of the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Hawaiian Journal of History, op. cit. Jean Chariot, 1970, “An 1849 Hawaiian Broadside” https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10524/514/JL04104.pdf See also Peter T. Young, op.cit. Bob Sigall, op. cit. https://www.northamericanforts.com/West/hi.html Daws, Gavan (1968), op. cit. Bob Sigall, op. cit. Peter Payette https://www.northamericanforts.com/West/hi.html Star Bulletin, Sunday, October 26, 2003, “Kamehameha V Post Office made architectural history,” http:// archives.starbulletin.com/2003/10/26/travel/index1.html
Companion News
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Companion Chris Spear has completed his onboarding and integration as the U. S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) Senior Representative/Command Liaison to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He is charged with facilitating executive and operational level communication, coordination, and collaboration between USCYBERCOM and the FBI in order to support combined and interagency campaign level cyberspace operations planning. Chris is also a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution and the Society of Colonial Wars. And he is happy to live within visiting distance of his aging parents, his adult children, and his grandson.
Companion Arthur Tulak delivered a presentation on the Communist Chinese increasing readiness to the resort to the use of lethal force in its campaign of aggression and territorial expansion underway in the South China Sea to the Hawaii Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart on July 10 at the Oahu Veterans Center.
Companion Dan Curtis has begun his second straight year as the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Treasurer for Hawaiian Mission Academy (HMA) High School. HMA is located in the Makiki section of Honolulu and is a private, Christian, day and international boarding school. Beyond his duties as Treasurer, Dan's role on the HMA PTO has focused on the recruitment of potential students from Oahu's military community and the neighboring islands as the school has remained open for in person learning throughout the COVID pandemic. Dan's commitment to additionally serving the HMA community while on active military duty exemplifies the service spirit Companions of the Order bring to the communities in which we live.
Companion Peter Hirai was offered to instruct another course at Hawaii Pacific University. As an adjunct professor in the College of Professional Studies, he agreed to add International Relations 1000, an introductory level course titled "The International System" to his course load. He has been teaching Homeland Security Studies 2000, "Disaster Preparedness and Response", since 2016 as a purely online course; over the years has expanded to include two courses including "International Relations of Asia" and "American Foreign Policy". Both of the latter are senior level courses. All but the Disaster Preparedness courses are hybrid offerings, taught in a combination online and on the military campuses at either Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam or Marine Corps Base Hawaii. A large portion of his students are former service members either on their GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation, offering Companion Hirai the opportunity to contribute to service members' lifelong journey of learning.
Feeling left out? Share your news with your fellow Companions!! 13
America to Solemnly Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 9-11 Attacks. As America prepares for 2021 Patriot Day, to set aside time to remember the heinous 9-11 Attacks that prompted a twenty year Global War on Terror, we must also remember and honor those who died in this long war, which is now concluding in ignominious fashion. Veterans of this war are experiencing emotions of sadness, anger, disbelief, and frustration. We must be ready to explain to those who did not serve there, the purpose of this war, to cite its costs, both from our own personal experience, in terms of the costs of military casualties from the fighting against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the new security threats that will now emerge with the United States Military pulling out in chaos. Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, was launched on Oct. 7, 2001, with coalition air strikes on Taliban and al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan. Many Companions of the Order have served in this conflict, and many completed multiple lengthy combat tours there. We lost friends there, and came back from those tours of duty forever changed. Different, not the same as we were before. As we recently watched the collapse of all that we struggled to obtain in terms of security, safety, and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan, and for Western Civilization, many unpleasant and difficult memories will resurface. One of the traits that Operation Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support Veterans share with those who fought in the Vietnam War against Communist aggression, is that we committed ourselves to protecting a foreign people from aggression, tyranny, and evil rule. With the chaotic closure of American participation in the multi-national effort, we are experiencing the same pain and dismay that Vietnam Veterans felt, when we withdrew militarily and allowed our wartime Ally, the Republic of Vietnam, to be conquered by a hostile invading force. As with the War in Vietnam, the human costs in Afghanistan were high: • American service members killed in Afghanistan through April 2021: 2,448. • U.S. contractors: 3,846. • Afghan national military and police: > 69,000. • Other allied service members, including from other NATO member states: 1,144. • Afghan civilians: 47,245. • Taliban and other opposition fighters: 51,191.1
After experiencing no combat losses for over a year and a half, America was shocked when we experienced the bloodiest casualty count in the War since 2011:2 On 26 August, ISIS-K terrorists were allowed through Taliban checkpoints surrounding the Hamid Karzai International Airport and detonated explosives, followed by another attack at a nearby hotel. Total casualties from both attacks are estimated between 103 to 160.3 U.S. military losses of 13 KIA and 18 WIA were a shock to the Nation. Below is a list of the American KIA, who hailed from ten different states, a cross section of America:4 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Tex. Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, of Roseville, Calif. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31, of Utah Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn. Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Calif. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyo. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Calif. Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, of Omaha Neb. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25, of Lawrence, Mass. Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Ind. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, of Wentzville, Mo. Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, age 23, was the senior in rank of the 13 casualties killed by ISIS-K in Kabul, 26 AUG 2021 .
The U.S. Congress is expected to conduct investigations to determine why the withdrawal operation was conducted so poorly, and why the principle of security, the sine qua non requirement for any military operation, was so casually violated. As military professionals and Companions of the Order, we have a responsibility to respectfully participate in the national debate over the new strategy, and to fulfill the first and second purposes of our Order: 1) To Honor and perpetuate the names of brave and loyal men and women, and; 2) Keep in mind the memory of their martial deeds and the victories which they helped gain. Endnotes; 1. 2. 3. 4.
Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press, August 17, 2021, “Here’s how much the war in Afghanistan cost—in lives and money” https://fortune.com/2021/08/17/whatwar-afghanistan-cost-lives-money-biden-bush-obama-trump/?queryly=related_article Yaroslav Trofimov, Nancy A. Youssef and Sune Engel Rasmussen, “Kabul Airport Attack Kills 13 U.S. Service Members, at Least 90 Afghans,” Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/articles/afghanistan-kabul-airport-explosion-11629976397 Ivana Kottasová, Barbara Starr, Kylie Atwood, Nick Paton Walsh, Sam Kiley, Zachary Cohen, Jennifer Hansler and Tim Lister, August 26, 2021, “US troops and Afghans killed in suicide attacks outside Kabul airport,” Cable News Network. https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/26/asia/afghanistan-kabul-airport-blast-intl/index.html Shawn Boburg and Meagan Flynn, Alex Horton, Ellen McCarthy, Dalvin Brown, María Luisa Paúl, Rebecca Tan and Jose A. Del Real, August 28, 2021, “The 13 U.S. service members killed in the Kabul airport attack,” Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/08/27/us-service14 members-killed-kabul-airport-names/
Upcoming events: • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • •
10 September — Commandery Meeting 1700 at the Sunset Lanai, Camp Smith 11 September — Patriot Day—20th Anniversary of the 9-11 Attack by Islamic Terrorists 17 September — POW/MIA Recognition Day 18 September — Birthday of the U.S. Air Force, est. 1947 25 September — Oahu Veterans Council Meeting 7 October — Operation Enduring Freedom begins in 2001 13 October — Birthday of the U.S. Navy, est. 1775 21 October —Hawaii Army Soldiers for Life Appreciation Day 9am-1pm at Fort Shafter 23 October— Oahu Veterans Council Meeting 27 October — Navy Day 04 December— Commissioning of USS DANIEL INOUYE (DDG 118) [Motto: Go for Broke] at Pearl Harbor 06 November— American Legion WWII Memorial clean-up event. The American Legion Post 17 will be conducting a clean-up of Roy King’s WWII Memorial at the corner of South King Street and Punchbowl Street. This memorial was on the cover of the March 2020 Commandery News. Volunteers welcome. 0700-0900. 10 November — 241st Birthday, United States Marine Corps (est. 1755) 11 November Veterans Day — Ceremonies to be held at the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific, the WWI Memorial in Waikiki. The Commandery traditionally places wreaths at these events.†† 7 December— 80th Anniversary parade MGySgt Earl Hurrey USMC (Ret.) & Col. Gene Castignetti USMC (Ret.) are
planning this and it is a priority event for the Governor.†† †† If permitted with State COVID-19 measures in-place.
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 2021 Sponsors:
Hawaii Chapter, Association of the United States Army 15
