Department of Defense

First Lieutenant John K. Kauhaihao

Company C, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

First Lieutenant John K. Kauhaihao, 27, was born in Honaunau/Capt. Cook, Hawaii, Apr. 17, 1942. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Co. C (-), 2^nd Bn., 299^th Infantry. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde was mobilized May 13, 1968. First Lieutenant Kauhaihao was levied to Co. B, 2^nd Bn., 8^th Cavalry, 1^st Cav Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, May 22, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, Sept. 5. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam. First Lieutenant Kauhaihao awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

First Sergeant Anthony C.S. Tam Sing

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Brigade

First Sergeant Joseph Harvest

Company A, 29th Support Battalion

Sergeant First Class Edward L. Loo, Jr.

Company C, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Sergeant First Class Edward L. Loo Jr., 43, from Kamuela/Waipo, Hawaii, was born Sept. 12, 1925. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Co. C, 2^nd Bn., 299^th Infantry as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Sergeant First Class Loo was levied to Co. D, 2nd Bn., 5th Cavalry, 1^st Cav. Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Mar. 6, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Apr. 1. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Loo awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant First Class Alfredo Pacolba

Company A, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Sergeant First Class Alfredo Pacolba, 37, of Wailua/Honolulu, Oahu, was born Aug. 8, 1932. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in as an infantryman with Co. A, 100th Bn., 442nd Infantry. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde was mobilized May 13, 1968. Sergeant First Class Pacolba was levied to Co. B, 4th Bn., 31^st Infantry, 196^th Infantry Bde., U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 23, 1969 and was killed in action less than five months later, Sept. 11. He died of gun or small arms fire wounds in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Pacolba awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Staff Sergeant Melvin S. Fujita

Headquarters & Headquarters Company. 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve 

Staff Sergeant Melvin S. Fujita, 25, was born in Honolulu, Oahu, Jan. 10, 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Co. B, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an indirect fire infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Staff Sergeant Fujita was levied to Co. D, 5^th Bn., 46^th Infantry, 198^th Infantry Bde., U.S. Army Vietnam, Mar. 8, 1969 and was killed in action four months later, Jul.2. He died of gun or small arms fire in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Fujita awards include Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Staff Sergeant Robert K. Spillner

Company C, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Staff Sergeant Robert K. Spillner, 30, was born in Waipahu, Oahu, Apr. 14, 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Co. C, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Staff Sergeant Spillner was levied to Co. D, 4^th Bn., 31^st Infantry, 196^th Infantry Bde., U.S. Army Vietnam, Dec. 19, 1968 and was killed in action eight months later, Aug. 18. He died of gun or small arms fire in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Spillner awards include the Combat Infantry badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Staff Sergeant Allen K. Matsumoto

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Brigade

Sergeant Wilfredo B. Andrada

Company B, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Sergeant Wilfredo B. Andrada, 28, was born in Hilo, Hawaii, May 20, 1941. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Co. C (-), 2^nd Bn., 299^th Infantry. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde was mobilized May 13, 1968. Sergeant Andrada was levied to Co. A, 4th Bn., 3^rd Infantry, 11^th Infantry Bde., U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 25, 1969 and was killed in action less than five months later, Sept. 21. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam. Sergeant Andrada awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant Gaylord K. DeFries

Company B, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Sergeant Gaylord K. DeFries, 24, from Anahola, Kauai, was born Jul. 12, 1945. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Co. B, 1^st Bn., 299^th Infantry at Kapaa, Kauai. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Sergeant DeFries was levied to 3^rd Plt., Co. B, 2^nd Bn., 12^th Infantry, 25^th Infantry Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 24, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, Aug. 1. He died of gun or small arms fire in Hau Nghia Province, South Vietnam. He was sergeant at death and was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant. Sergeant DeFries awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

SP4 Rudy Aquino

Company B, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist Anthony Bongo

Company A, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Specialist Anthony Bongo, 22, from Waianae/Honolulu, Oahu, was born Feb. 25, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Co. A, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Bongo was levied to Co. A, 2^nd Bn., 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 24, 1969, and was killed in action less than a month later, May 20. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. Specialist Bongo awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Walter D. Browne

Company C, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist Walter D. Browne, 21, from Haiku, Maui, was born Oct. 10, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in as an infantry operations and intelligence specialist with Co. C (-), 1^st Bn., 299^th Infantry at Kahului, Maui. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Browne was levied to Recon. Plt., Co. E, 2^nd Bn., 28^th Infantry, 1^st Infantry Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 21, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, Aug. 22. He died of other explosive device in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. Specialist Browne awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Specialist Leonard B. Castillo

Company A, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve 

Specialist Leonard B. Castillo, 21, from Honolulu, Oahu, was born Feb. 24, 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Co. A, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Castillo was levied to Co. C, 3rd Bn., 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 22, 1969 and was killed in action less than a month later, May 14. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. Specialist Castillo awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Norman K. Hayashi

Company D, 29th Support Battalion

Specialist David S. Laamea

Company B, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist Larry G. Leopoldino

Company B, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Specialist Larry G. Leopoldino, 22, from Hilo, Hawaii, was born Apr. 18, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Co. B, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an indirect fire infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Leopoldino was levied to Recon Plt., Co. E, 3rd Bn., 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 26, 1969 and was killed in action two months later, Apr. 25, a few days after his 22^nd birthday. He died of gun or small arms fire in Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam. Specialist Leopoldino awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Frank T. Longakit

Company A, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist Alberto Milar, Jr.

Headquarters & Headquarters Company. 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist Alberto Milar Jr., 23, from Papaikou/Hilo, Hawaii, was born Feb. 16, 1946. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as a medic with HHC (-), 2^nd Bn., 299^th Infantry at Kealakekua, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Milar was levied to HQ & Svc. Btry, 1st Bn., 21^st Artillery, 1^st Cav Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, May 23, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, Sept. 7. He died of artillery, rocket, or mortar in Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant. Specialist Milar awards include the Combat Medical Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist John S. Otake

Company A, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist John S. Otake, 20, from Honolulu, Oahu, was born May 12, 1948. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Co. A, 1st Bn., 299^th Infantry at Fort Ruger, Honolulu. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Otake was levied to Co. B, 1st Bn., 52nd Infantry, 198^th Infantry Bde., American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 23, 1969 and was killed in action two months later, Mar. 7. He died of gun or small arms fire in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. Specialist Otake awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Roger R. Pangan

Troop E, 19th Cavalry Regiment

Specialist Roger R. Pangan, 22, from Ewa, Oahu, was born Mar. 4, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an armor reconnaissance specialist with Troop E, 19h Cavalry at Fort Ruger, Honolulu. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Pangan was levied to Trp. K, 3^rd Sqdn., 11^th Armored Cavalry, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 26, 1969 and was killed in action six months later, Jul. 21. He died of gun or small arms fire in Binh Long Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant. Specialist Pangan awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Clifford K. Taira

Headquarters & Headquarters Company. 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve 

Specialist Clifford K. Taira, 20, from Honolulu, Oahu, was born Jul. 4, 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s HHC, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Specialist Taira was levied to Co. D, 3rd Bn., 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 22, 1969 and was killed in action less than a month later, May 11. He died of misadventure (Friendly Fire) in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. Specialist Taira awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Private First Class Earl C. M. Au Hoy

Company A, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Private First Class Earl C. M. Au Hoy, 19, from Kaneohe, Oahu, was born Sept. 30, 1949. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Co. A, 2^nd Bn., 299^th Infantry at Fort Ruger, Honolulu. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Private First Class Au Hoy was levied to Co. C, 3^rd Bn., 1^st Infantry, 111^th Infantry Bde., American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 23, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Feb. 22. He died of multiple fragmentation wound in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam. Private First Class Au Hoy awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Private First Class Rodney T. Fukunaga

Company B, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Private First Class Rodney T. Fukunakga, 22, from Hilo, Hawaii, was born Feb. 3, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Co. B, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an indirect fire infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Private First Class Fukunakga was levied to Co. A, 1st Bn., 5th Infantry, 25^th Infantry Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 26, 1969 and was killed in action less than two months later, Apr. 9. He died of an explosive device in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to corporal. Private First Class Fukunakga awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Private First Class Robert H. Kawamoto

Battery A, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment

Private First Class Michael S. Nakashima

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Brigade

Private First Class Michael S. Nakashima, 21, from Hilo, Hawaii, born in Jul. 22, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with HHC, 29^th Infantry Bde. His unit was mobilized May 13, 1968. Private First Class Nakashima was levied to 1^st Infantry Div., American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 21, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, May 11. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to specialist 4. Private First Class Nakashima awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Private First Class Dennis R. Penis

Company A, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Private First Class Dennis M. Silveri

Company B, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Private First Class Dennis M. Silveri, 21, from Pahoa/Honolulu, Hawaii, was born May 25, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Co. B, 100^th Bn., 442^nd Infantry Reg. as an infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Private First Class Silveri was levied to Co. C, 1st Bn., 5th Infantry, 25^th Infantry Div., U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 25, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Mar. 24. He died of gun or small arms fire in Hau Nghia Province, South Vietnam. Private First Class Silveri awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Private First Class Glenn T. Shibata

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Private First Class Glenn T. Shibata, 21, from Kealakekua, Hawaii, was born Sept. 15, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an indirect fire infantryman with HHC, 2^nd Bn., 299^th Infantry at Kealakekua, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Bde., was mobilized May 13, 1968. Private First Class Shibata was levied to Co. C, 1st Bn., 502nd Infantry, 101^st Airborne Div., American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 25, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Mar. 29. He died of gun or small arms fire in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to corporal. Private First Class Shibata awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal