1968 Federal Service

ISLE NATIONAL GUARD UNIT ACTIVATED

(Honolulu Star Bulletin/ April 11)

On April 11th, 1968 the people of Hawaii opened their evening newspapers and were met with the above headline.

The Hawaii National Guard had been called to active duty the first time since World War II.

The 29th Infantry Brigade under the command of Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer III reported to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii on May 13th with 187 officers, 21 warrant officers, and 2,760 enlisted men to begin their Federal active service.

Units affected by the call-up included: Headquarters and Head quarters Company, 29th Infantry Brigade; 29th General Support Aviation Platoon; 227th Engineer Company; 1st Battalion , 487th Artillery; 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry ; 2d Battalion, 299th Infantry; and the 29th Support Battalion.

The May 13th call-up of the 29th Infantry Brigade also involved some 20,000 other Army, Navy, and Air Force Reservists on the mainland. Although there was some early criticism expressed over Hawaii’s share of the call-up being larger than the national average, this eventually subsided as the 29th worked day and nigh to prepare themselves for Federal service.

The activation of the 29th Infantry Brigade affected not only the Guardsman and his immediate family but also the community as well. Doctors, lawyers, policemen, postmen all reported for duty with the 29th.
– 1968 Annual Report pp.9

On 13 May 1968, “Hawaii’s Own” 29th Infantry Brigade stood at attention on Kuroda Field at Fort DeRussy and was activated into the regular Army.

Now the Brigade is two-thirds of its way through its federal service. Called originally for 24 months, the Guardsmen’s and Reservists’ active duty time was later reduced to 18 months and a demobilization day of 15 December 1969 was announced.

Much has happened over the past year. The story of the 29th has been one of change. Former civilian soldiers have become professionals, hundreds of original 29ers have gone to help fight the war in Vietnam and in their place new men from all over the United States have come to fill the ranks. Twelve former 29th Brigade members have fallen in the service of their country.

Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer, III, his staff and the battalion commanders faced an awesome task. Training started on the run. M-14 rifles replaced the old M-l’s, new equipment was issued, and special sophisticated weaponry was on the way.

Troop E, 19th Cavalry, received the M-551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicle and the 227th Engineer Company was scheduled to receive the Armored Vehicle Launch Bridge and the Combat Engineer Vehicle.

All troops underwent weapons qualification during the first few weeks. Quarters, largely disused since the departure of the 25th Infantry Division, had to be made livable.

In late May, 15 Reservists of the 277th Military Intelligence Detachment, Arizona, and 135 men of the 40th Aviation Company, California, arrived and were initially assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army, Hawaii, and later transferred to the 29th Brigade.

A ninety day period of intensive training began, starting with individual training and progressing through squad, platoon, company and battalion exercises to include jungle training. During this period the Brigade developed into a fully combat ready organization.

Troop E, 19th Cavalry, moved to the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii in mid-July to become the first Brigade unit to utilize the rugged terrain of this training area. They were soon followed by every unit within the Brigade.

In late August, the Brigade received its first levy for reassignment of approximately 20 individuals to Vietnam.

November brought the beginning of the 29th’s final examination. The originally scheduled 90 days of intensive training was stretched to 180 days. After six months of hard charging, the 29th was ready to show what it had accomplished. A full scale operation was started. Pretending that the Brigade was part of a division slated to attack a beachhead in Korea, the logistical stages of the Brigade’s field training exercise were begun. Located in the “Mongoose Hilton”, a bunker buried beneath the pineapple fields of central Oahu, the brigade and battalion staffs planned every detail of an actual operation. On the first of December, with the planning completed, the troops executed the plan by launching an all out attack in the Koolaus, simulated to be a beachhead in Korea.

Immediately after the field training exercise, Brigadier General Schaefer announced that he had received orders for duty in Vietnam with a departure date of 9 January 1969.

After Christmas it was announced that Brigadier General James K. Terry was to become the new commander of the 29th. He arrived on 21 February and formally took command on 24 February from Colonel Clyde W. Woods, Jr., who had acted as Brigade Commander since the departure of General Schaefer.

The reenlistment rate in the 29th had always been high. This fact was highlighted in mid-February when Major General Roy Lassetter, Jr., Commanding General of U.S. Army, Hawaii, swore in a large group of 29th Brigade personnel and presented the Brigade with all three U.S. Army, Hawaii’s reenlistment trophies.

Also about this time the Brigade received somber news. Its first former member had been killed in Vietnam. The man killed had been a “filler” from the mainland and had only been with the Brigade for several months, but it still hurt.

Fiscal year 1969 closed with the Brigade colors continuing to fly at Schofield Barracks, but with approximately 50% of those originally ordered to active duty with the Brigade now serving in Vietnam.
– 1969 Annual Report pp.12

IN MEMORIAM

It is with deep regret that the deaths of the following personnel of the 29th Infantry Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard, mobilized on 13 May 1968, are announced. The Hawaii National Guard mourns the loss(sic) of these loyal members who served their country with distinction and honor.

Combat Deaths

PFC Earl C. M. Au Hoy – Co A 1st Bn 299th Inf

SP4 John 5. Otake Co A 1st Bn 299th Inf

PFC Glenn T. Shibata-Gnd Survl & Hv Mort Plat HHC 2d Bn 299th Inf

SFC Edward L. Loo, Jr. – Co C 2d Bn 299th Inf

PFC Michael S. Nakashima – HHC 29th In(Bde

Non-Combat Deaths

lSG Anthony C. S. Tam Sing – HHC 29th Inf Bde

SP4 Norman K. Hayashi – Co D 29th Spt Bn

SP4 Rudy Aquino – Co B (-) 1st Bn 299th Inf

PFC Robert H. Kawamoto – Btry A 1st Bn 487th Arty

lSG Joseph Harvest – Co A 29th Spt Bn

PFC Dennis R. Penis Co A ( -) 2d Bn 299th Inf

SSG Allen K. Matsumoto — HHC 29th Inf Bde

– 1969 Annual Report pp.4

IN MEMORIAM

It is with deep regret that the Department announces the deaths of additional 29th Infantry Brigade members during Fiscal year 1970. These men were mobilized with the Brigade on May 13, 1968. The Department mourns the loss of these loyal men who served their country with distinction and honor.

COMBAT DEATHS

SP4 Roger R. Pangan, Trp E, 19th Cav

SGT Gaylord K. Defries , Co B, 1st Bn, 299th Inf

SP4 Walter D. Browne, Co C, 1st Bn, 299th Inf

1LT John K. Kauhaihao, Co C, 2d Bn, 299th Inf

SP4 Alberto Milar Jr., HHC, 2d Bn, 299th Inf

SGT Wilfredo B. Andrada, Co B, 2d Bn , 299th Inf

NON-COMBAT DEATHS

SP4 David S. Laamea, Co B, 1st Bn, 299th Inf

SP4 Frank T. Longakit, Co A, 2d Bn, 299th Inf

– 1970 Annual Report pp.5

29TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

The 29th Infantry Brigade was released from active duty and reverted to State status on December 13, 1969 after 19 months of Federal service. Brigade personnel levied for overseas duty began returning from Vietnam and Korea in late November of 1969. A deactivation ceremony was held, on December 10, 1969, during a Brigade review at Schofield Barracks. Colonel Edward M. Yoshimasu, Chief of Staff, Hawaii Army National Guard, was designated as the Acting Commander and assumed command on December 13, 1969, replacing Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer Ill.

The strength of the 29th Infantry Brigade, upon deactivation, was 1,797 officers and enlisted men, compared to an authorized strength of 3,306. At the end of February 1970, the strength of the Brigade decreased to an aggregate of 1,190. The losses consisted primarily of individuals who chose to transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (USAR). As of June 30, 1970, the strength of the Brigade was 1,582, or 47.8 percent of authorized strength, a gain of 392 from its strength at the end of February 1970.

The following awards were received by personnel of the Brigade during the active duty period:

Distinguished Service Medal-1

Legion of Merit-2

Silver Star-4

Air Medal-87

Bronze Star-187

Army Commendation Medal-208

Joint Service Commendation Medal-3

Purple Heart-40

On June 30, 1970, there were 120 non-prior-service personnel from the Brigade who were on active duty and undergoing recruit training in Continental United States Training Centers. At the end of the fiscal year, 274 non-prior service individuals were awaiting entry into the Reserve Enlistment Program.

Upon deactivation in December 1969, the 29th Infantry Brigade undertook the tremendous task of rebuilding its units to premobilization strength. Strength buildup was the primary objective of all units. To assist the units in recruiting, Headquarters United States Army, Hawaii, assigned three former Brigade NCO’s to the 29th. These NCO’s had extended their tours on active duty. Three 25-passenger Army buses were converted into mobile recruiting offices and were utilized at schools and public meeting places. By June 30, 1970, 396 men had been recruited by units of the Brigade.

Brigade training began in January 1970, following demobilization. Emphasis was placed upon strength buildup, organization of units, and receipt and processing of TOE and TA equipment. This was followed by training in mandatory subjects and civil disturbance operations.

Upon deactivation, the Brigade was required to turn over all TOE equipment to the 4th Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, which was activated in December of 1969. The 29th Infantry Brigade began receiving new TOE equipment in January of 1970. The equipment included M-14 rifles, 1 ¼ ton trucks, unit mess equipment and other items. Major items of equipment for training that have not been received in sufficient numbers to date include: radios, l ¼ ton trucks, 2½ ton trucks, crew served weapons, and engineer equipment. By the end of the fiscal year, the Brigade had received approximately 66 percent of its TOE equipment.
– 1970 Annual Report pp.9

On May 23, 1971 the brigade held its second annual memorial ceremony honoring the men of the 29th Infantry Brigade and 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry who lost their lives while on active duty from May 13, 1968 to December 12, 1969. Brigadier General Edward M. Yoshimasu, brigade commander, delivered the memorial address. A bronze plaque was unveiled by Brigadier General Yoshimasu and Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer, I II.
– 1971 Annual Report pp. 11

FINAL RECOGNITION - Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano ties a mobilization streamer on the 29th Separate infantry Brigade colors, during the 30th commemoration of the brigade's activation during the Vietnam war. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo — *(Pictures from the 1998 Annual Report)*

FAREWELL ONCE MORE Retired Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Schaefer III and his wife, Evelyn, salute the 29 fallen heroes of the 29th Infantry Brigade who died during the unit’s activation during the Vietnam war in 1968. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne T. Iha photo — *(Pictures from the 1998 Annual Report)*

While preparing for future combat environments, the HIARNG commemorated one of itsmost historic events in its history: the 30th anniversary of the May 13, 1968, federal activation of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam Conflict. The Guard commemorated the activation of more than 4,000 citizen-soldiers of Hawaii and the more than 1,100 who went on to perform duty in Southeast Hawaii Army National Guard Asia. Twenty-nine members of the Brigade, and its round-out 100th Battalion of the ArmyReserve, died by the time the brigade returned to State control in December of 1969.
– 1998 Annual Report pp. 10