Department of Defense

Brigadier General Clarence M. Agena (Mert) was appointed as the deputy adjutant general, State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, effective January 26, 2000. He was promoted to brigadier general by Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano, March 31, 2000. On January 11, 2002, he was assigned as the assistant adjutant general commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

General Agena was born in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, on July 2, 1944. In 1962, after graduating from Lahainaluna High School in Maui, he attended Oregon State University. He transferred to the University of Hawaii where he earned a mathematics degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant through the ROTC program in 1967. His military education includes Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, 1968; Command & General Staff College, 1979; and War College, 1985.

General Agena entered active duty in November 1967. His early Army assignments included tours with the 2nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, the 4th Army Missile Command in Korea, and the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. Agena was the Honest John platoon commander in Texas; nuclear support team leader and battalion intelligence officer (S2) in Korea; and field artillery liaison officer for the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry and battery commander of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery in Vietnam.

In February 1971, General Agena left active duty and joined the Hawaii Army National Guard. He became a full-time technician in May 1975. He served in various command and staff positions in the Hawaii Guard units. They include tours as a battery commander; battalion executive officer and commander of the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery; executive officer and commander of the 297th Supply and Service Battalion; executive officer for Headquarters Installation Command; and deputy commander of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade (Enhanced). At the Headquarters State Area Command, he has served as plans, operations and military support officer (POMSO), personnel officer (G1 ), plans, operations and training officer (G3 ), logistics officer (G4) and most recently as the Hawaii Army Guard’s chief of staff, before his appointment as deputy adjutant general.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with V-device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with V-device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit, Hawaii National Guard Commendation Medal, Hawaii National Guard Service Medal and other ribbons and decorations.

General Agena is an active community member. He serves as the Waipahu High School Community Council chairman and also works closely with the Boy Scouts and youth activities. He is a life time member of the Association of the U.S. Army, Hawaii National Guard Association, National Guard Association of the U.S.,AlumniAssociation of the U.S.ArmyWar College, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., 25th Infantry Division Association and the Retired Officers Association, Aloha Chapter.

General Agena and his wife, Chong, have one son, Clark

(Current as of April 2002)