Brigadier General Frank A. Alameda

January 27, 2025

Place of Birth: Halawa, North Kohala, Hawaii

Date of Birth: Oct. 4, 1899

Education: Attended the Territorial Public School at Makapala, in the neighborhood of the plantation town of Niulii, Hawaii for six years. Entered St. Louis College, Honolulu, October 1912 and graduated in June 1919. Also attended and completed various military courses at Ft, Benning, Ga; Southern Pines, N. C.; University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.; Yale University, New Haven, Conn. Completed courses in Real Estate and Appraising.

Civilian Status: Upon graduation was employed by Pioneer Mill Company at Lahaina, Maui, as a clerk on June, 1919. Resigned in May of 1920 and accepted a position with the Calamba Sugar Estate, in the Philippines, as private secretary to Mr. Ludwig Weinzheimer, President and Manager of this sugar plantation, Eventually was promoted to credit manager, handling the financing of crop loan advances to the individual sugar planters. Of interest is that Mr. Weinzheimer was a former manager of Pioneer Mill Co. After a period of three years returned to Maui where I was again employed by Pioneer Mill Co, as an accountant in the office. On March 1, 1927, resigning my position with Pioneer Mill Co., was appointed by the Territory of Hawaii as Deputy Tax Assessor & Collector of the Second Taxation Division, in charge of the Lahaina Office. On June 1, 1935 was promoted to Deputy Tax Assessor, Second Taxation Division, comprising the Islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe, responsible for all real property tax assessments, Held this position to Oct. 14, 1940, when called to active duty with the U.S. Army, World War II, serving a period of six years up to and including Dec. 10, 1946, Upon returning from Military Service, accepted the appointment as Tax Assessor & Collector serving in this capacity as head of the Division, until the date of my retirement, Jan. 15, 1965, filling out a total of 38 years public service with the exception of 6 years in the military service, during World War II.

Military Record: Enlisted as a private in Company A, 1st Hn, 299th Inf., Hawaii National Guard on Jan. 12, 1925 retiring on Oct. 31, 1959 as a Brigadier General covering a span of military service of 34 years, 9 months and 6 days. Coming up from the ranks was commissioned an officer on the dates indicated:

2nd Lt – June 2, 1932
1st Lt – Nov. 17, 1933
Captain – July 1, 1936
Major – Sept. 22, 1941
Lt. Col – Aug. 3, 1942
Colonel – Dec. 4, 1946
Brig-Gen – Nov. 19, 1957

Assigned and served in various military areas of responsibility. Upon being called to active duty on Oct. 15, 1940 was company commander of Co. A, 299th Inf. Subsequently commanded the 3rd Bn., then assigned as Regimental Supply Officer of the 299th Inf. During World War II participated in the Bougainville, Central Pacific and Northern Solomons campaign, all through the South Pacific Campaign. During World War II commanded an Inf Bn., – was assigned as Post commander of Ft. Ruger, Honolulu – the first infantry officer placed in command of a coast Artillery Post and the first Island born officer to be so honored. Following this assignment returned to command the 1st Bn, 298th Infantry as Bn Commander, following transfer from Post Commander of Ft Ruger and reassignment to the 24th Inf Division. Also was assigned as Staff Ordnance Officer, under the Maui District Command at the outbreak of World War II. This prior to being transferred to Ft, Ruger as post commander. Following other assigned duties was initially assigned to 6th Inf Div as Bn Comdr – then as Civil Affairs Officer and finally to the Division Staff as a Division Staff Officer, G-5 Section in charge of Civilian and Military Laision. Was assigned by the Division as Military Governor of Challa Pukto Province, South Korea, during the occupation Returning from Korea in December 1946, transferred to the Army reserve. Served as Military Governor for a period of 3 months then reassigned as Division Staff Officer

Rejoined, after being persuaded by Maj. Gen. F. W. Makinney, Adjutant General, State of Hawaii to assume command of the 1st Bn., 299th Inf., Hawaii National Gard with headquarters stationed at the Wailuku Armory. Voluntarily took a reduction in rank to Lt. Col. In 1950 my previous rank of Colonel was restored as I took command of the 299th Regimental Combat Team, with headquarters stationed at the Hilo Armory, Hawaii. Served as Regimental Commander of this unit for a period of seven years. Had the distinct privilege of having this unit rated as one of the outstanding combat units of the many National Units stationed throughout the 50 States.

In 1957 was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General and assigned as Assistant Adjutant General, Hawaii Army National Guard and assumed command as Commanding General of the Hawaii National Guard Army Ground Forces. Completing this tour of duty retired on Oct. 31, 1959. Special Honor Guard Retirement Ceremonies were held at Ft. Ruger, Honolulu, on Nov. 10, 19590 Gov. William Quinn presented the Hawaii National Guard Medal for “Meritorious service rendered the Hawaii National Guard”.

DECORATIONS AWARDED: Decorations awarded include- the Bronze Star Medal; Combat Infantry-man’s Badge; Asiatic Pacific Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal, Army Commendation Ribbon; Army of Occupation Medal; Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit,

SPECIAL RECOGNITION: At a Special Ceremony held on Nov. 11, 1973 was honored by having the WAILUKU ARMORY named the BRIGADIER-GENERAL FRANK A. ALAMEDA ARMORY. A resolution was presented by Maui County Council congratulating the General for having the Armory named after him.

Change of Command 1950
Retirement 1959

COL. ALAMEDA TAKES COMMAND OF THE 299TH R.C.T.

By Lt. Col. Philip E. Turner, H.N.G.

Col. Lester W. (Bill) Bryan, left; turns over the command of the 299th RCT to Lt. Col. Frank A. Alameda.

(Pictures from the 1950 October The Hawaii Guardsmen)

On September 29th the command of the 299th R.C.T. changed hands. Col. Frank A. Alameda, former commander of the 1st Bn., 299th Inf., on Maui, assumed command from Col. Lester W. Bryan. Col. Bryan has been appointed to the State Staff as Assistant Chief of Staff.

State Staff headquarters are at Ft. Ruger, Oahu, but Col. Bryan will be on detached service at Hilo, where he will act as Gen. Makinney’s liaison officer on the Big Island.

Among the duties of Col. Bryan in his new post will be the preparation of plans for organization of territorial guard units on the Big Island. He will attend drills with headquarters of the 299th and will remain in close contact with his former command.

He took command of the 299th on Aug. 8, 1947, shortly after reactivation of the Hawaii National Guard. One of the senior Guard officers, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1933. His record of military service dates from 1918, when he enlisted in the Army as a private. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel during World War II. He was a captain, commanding a rifle company when the Guard was ordered to active federal service in 1940. He is widely known throughout the Territory as a forest ranger and is a graduate of Massachusetts Agricultural College.

Col. Alameda, too, is an “oldtimer” in the Hawaii National Guard, having over 20 years of service. He saw service in the Philippines, South Pacific and Korea during World War II. In addition to several service ribbons, Col. Alameda wears the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Ribbon.

Col. Alameda, who was promoted to the rank commensurate with his new duties, will continue to live in Wailuku, Maui, where he is a member of the Territorial tax staff. He will make frequent reconnaissance trips to Hilo headquarters.
– 1950 October The Hawaii Guardsmen pp. 12

Brigadier General Frank A. Alameda Retires

Brigadier General Frank A. Alameda

(Picture from the 1959 December The Hawaii Guardsman)

Brigadier General Frank A. Alameda, a much-respected soldier’s soldier, said farewell to his men last month as he retired after 34 years of military service.

At honor guard ceremonies held at Fort Ruger on 10 November, Governor William F. Quinn presented the Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit to the General for “meritorious service rendered the Hawaii National Guard.” The Governor spoke briefly on the General’s service to the State of Hawaii.

Also present was Major General J. E. Theimer, Commanding General, USARHAW/25th Infantry Division, who spoke on General Alameda’s active Army service during World War II.

In other ceremonies held Saturday, 14 November, in Wailuku, Maui, General Alameda was reviewing officer at a parade given in his honor. Standing with him in the reviewing stand was Major General F. W. Makinney, Adjutant General, and “Mayor” Eddie Tam of Maui.

Four units of the 1st Battle Group, 299th Infantry, led by Col. Clyde W. Woods, Jr., paraded through the streets of Wailuku and then formed in Wells Park, adjacent to the Wailuku Armory. During the ceremonies, General Alameda gave his farewell address to the officers and men of the units present.

On Saturday evening, over 1,000 persons attended a luau at the Kahului Armory in honor of the retiring General. In addition to many gifts and leis, the General received a plaque upon which was inscribed the dates of his commissions, active-duty tours, and the names of units with which he had served.

General Alameda first enlisted in the Hawaii National Guard as a private in 1925. He joined Company A, 299th Infantry, at Lahaina, Maui, a unit he was later to command.

In less than two years, he was promoted to first sergeant of the company. Promoted to second lieutenant in 1932, he advanced to the rank of captain by 1936.

In 1940, the HNG was activated, and by 1943, he was leading the 2nd Battalion of the 298th Infantry through the South Pacific campaign. He later served as battalion commander with the 6th Infantry Division in the Philippines before going to Korea to become military governor.

After World War II, he returned to Hawaii as a full colonel. However, in order to rejoin the reorganized Hawaii Army National Guard, he voluntarily took a reduction in rank to lieutenant colonel. In 1950, his colonelcy was restored, and he took command of the 299th Regimental Combat Team, a position he held for seven years.

In 1957, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and was assigned as Assistant Adjutant General, Hawaii Army National Guard.

He holds the following decorations: Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Commendation Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the recently awarded Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit. He participated in the Bougainville, Central Pacific, and Northern Solomons campaigns.

In civilian life, he is tax assessor and collector for Maui County. Although he is retiring from military service, he is not retiring from the tax office. He and Mrs. Alameda reside in Wailuku, Maui.
– 1959 December The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 10