1943-1944 Hawaiʻi National Guard Deployed to the South Pacific

The HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD Past and Present

. . .

Composition of the Guard at this time was two infantry regiments-the 298^th and 299^th. The 299^th was inactivated in June 1942, with all personnel and equipment transferred to the 298^th. The reorganized regiment went into combat in the New Hebrides Islands in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1944. They were released from Federal service in 1946 at which time the Hawaii National Guard was reorganized.

– 1964 December The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 7

75 YEARS OF HISTORY

Known as “Hawaii’s Own” Regiment the 298^th left Hawaii in September 1943, serving until November, 1944 in the New Hebrides and Guadalcanal theaters of operations.

Among the veterans of Guadalcanal, although not a member of the Guard at the time, is Brigadier General Frederick A Schaefer III, presently commanding general of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

– 1968 Spring The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 17

Hawaii Guard activated for WWII

Due to numerous personnel changes and transfers, Hawaii Guard soldiers comprised only 15 percent of the 298^th in 1943 when the regiment was sent to Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo to guard port facilities. (Local and mainland draftees made up the majority of the unit, in nearly equal numbers.)

Most elements returned to Oahu in late 1944, and all but one of the battalions were deactivated on Oct. 10, 1945. Separation papers sent to the National Guard of Hawaii headquarters showed that local Guardsmen served longer and accrued more service points than any other Hawaii military group.

– 1991 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 8