Department of Defense

His Air Force career commenced on 27 January 1942 when he entered the Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet. He obtained his pilot training in the Army Air Force Southeast Training Center, graduating and receiving his pilot’s wings and second lieutenant commission on 13 December 1942. During World War II, he served with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations where he was assigned to and flew with the 30th Bomb Group and 7th Fighter Wing until discharged 15 February 1946. The day after his discharge from active duty, he was appointed in the newly formed Hawaii Air National Guard where he has served ever since. From 1946 to 1960, he rose in grade from the rank of captain to brigadier general. 

From 1953 to March 1973, General Siefermann served as commander, Hawaii Air National Guard and assistant adjutant general, Air, Department of Defense, State of Hawaii. He commanded a rather unique organization in that in addition to its reserve mission, it provides the only Air Force weapons and radar ground environment for the active air defense of Hawaii. Working with the Far East Air Forces in 1956, General Siefermann was one of the designers of and one of the motivating forces behind the Hawaii Air National Guard-Pacific Air Forces air defense system as it exists today. The concept has resulted in the most effective blend of the Reserve and Regular missions to date. 

On 1 April 1973, the Governor of the State of Hawaii, nominated General Sie fermann to be the adjutant general, State of Hawaii. His appointment was confirmed by the Senate of the state legislature on 11 April 1973, and he was subsequently commissioned the adjutant general, State of Hawaii, and director of State Civil Defense on 19 April 1973. 

Major General Siefermann was promoted to his present rank on 24 April 1974.

Major General Valentine A. Siefermann was born and educated in New York.