Brigadier General Clarence M. Agena 

Brig. Gen. Clarence M. Agena (Mert) was appointed assistant adjutant general, Army; and commander, Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG), on Jan. 11, 2002.

Agena was born in Lahaina, 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 Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and was commissioned a second lieutenant through its ROTC program in 1967. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course, 1968; Field Artillery Officers Advance Course, 1972; Command and General Staff College, 1979; and the Army War College, 1986.

Agena entered active duty in November 1967. His early Army assignments include tours with the 2nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, the 4th U.S. 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 the 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, Agena left active duty and joined the HIARNG. He served in various command and staff positions in the Hawaii Guard units. They include tours as a battery commander, battalion executive officer, and acting 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 served as plans, operations and military support officer (POMSO); personnel officer (G1); plans, operations and training officer (G3); logistics officer (G4); HIARNG chief of staff; and as the deputy adjutant general, State of Hawaii Department of Defense.

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.

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

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

Last updated January 2003