Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer III

January 24, 2025

Brig. Gen. Frederick August Schaefer, III, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on Jan. 3, 1921. He graduated from Cornell University in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. He was also commissioned a second lieutenant, U.S. Army Reserve, upon graduation as a result of ROTC training at Cornell.

On graduation from college, he was called to active duty and assigned to Company F, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, as platoon leader, He served with this unit during World War II in Guadalcanal in the Southwest Pacific until 1943. In April of that year, he was assigned to the 66th Infantry Division where he commanded the division’s Ranger School and was later an Assistant G3. In October 1944, the division went to Europe, stationed in France and Germany.

Schaefer remained on active duty until October 1945. He then joined the Army National Guard. Hawaii (HARING), and served as an Infantry battalion commander. Infantry regimental commander and as an anti-aircraft Artillery group commander.

On Jan. 15, 1959, Schaefer assumed command of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Sep), HARNG. He served with that unit until February 1960 when he became the Commanding General of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General (Army), State of Hawaii.

General Schaefer served in this capacity until May 1968. He then volunteered again to take command of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Sep), HARlNG, on its being alerted for active duty.

On May 13, 1968, the 29th Infantry Brigade (Sep) was ordered to active duty and assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific, Hawaii. Schaefer remained with the unit as Brigade Commander.

In January 1969, Schaefer departed from the 29th Infantry Brigade enroute to Vietnam. He assumed duties as 4th Infantry Division’s Assistant Division Commander on Jan. 15, 1969.

In July 1969, Schaefer was reassigned as Assistant Division Commander, 9th Infantry Division, and in October 1969 reassigned as Commanding General, 29th Infantry Brigade,

On 1Dec. 12, 1969, the 29th Infantry Brigade (Sep) was demobilized and returned to State status, and on Dec. 13, 1969, Schaefer was reassigned as Commanding General, Hawaii Army National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General (Army), State of Hawaii.

Last updated unknown

Biography 1959
Biography 1968
Retirement 1977

Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Schaefer III

Brig Gen Frederick A. Schaefer

(Picture from the 1959 September The Hawaii Guardsman)

Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Schaefer III, Commanding General, 29th Infantry Brigade, was promoted recently in ceremonies at Schofield Barracks’ Area “X” during the Hawaii National Guard’s annual two-week summer encampment. The General’s stars were pinned on him by Governor William F. Quinn.

Born in Honolulu, Gen. Schaefer attended Punahou School and Cornell University. After graduating from Cornell, Gen. Schaefer received a commission in the Infantry. During World War II, he saw action in Guadalcanal with the 27th Infantry. After returning to the U.S. in 1943, he joined the 66th Division and was assigned as Assistant G-3. He became Liaison Officer of the 66th in 1944 and was subsequently made G-3. In 1945, he became Assistant G-2 of the 66th before becoming the Headquarters Commandant.

During 1944–45, Gen. Schaefer served in Europe.

Gen. Schaefer, released from Federal service in 1945, served until 1947 as a major in the ORC. In May 1947, he joined the H.N.G. as S-2 of the 298th R.C.T. In 1948, he was assigned as Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 298th, and later in the same year became Commander of the Battalion. In 1952, he served as Regimental Executive Officer and in 1953 assumed command of the Regiment. When the 298th was reorganized in 1957, he was appointed the Commanding Officer of the 298th AAA Group.

Gen. Schaefer attained his present position as 29th Infantry Brigade Commander in January 1959 and received Federal recognition as Brig. Gen. on April 21, 1959. In civilian life, he is Plantation Department Manager for Theo. H. Davies. He resides with his family at 116 Ikeanani Dr., Kaneohe, Oahu.
– 1959 September The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 10

Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer, III

Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer, III, commanding general of the Hawaii Army National Guard, volunteered to head the Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade on active duty. He was selected to succeed Brigadier General Francis S. Takemoto, who retired May 4, 1968.

Announcing the appointment, Major General Benjamin J. Webster, adjutant general of Hawaii, said, “I am extremely pleased that General Schaefer has volunteered to take command of the 29th Infantry Brigade. General Schaefer is a highly qualified officer who should bring credit to the brigade in leading them during their period of active duty.”

Before becoming commander of Army Guard units in Hawaii in February 1960, General Schaefer commanded the 29th Infantry Brigade. He assumed that post in January 1959, receiving federal recognition as a brigadier general on April 21, 1959.

A fourth-generation kamaʻāina, General Schaefer was born in Honolulu on January 3, 1921. He attended Punahou School and Cornell University.

After graduation from Cornell in 1942, Schaefer was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry. He saw action at Guadalcanal with the 25th Infantry Division.

It was here in January 1943 that he was wounded while leading his platoon in an assault on enemy positions. For his actions, Schaefer was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Released from active service in 1945, Schaefer served as a major in the Organized Reserve Corps until 1947. In May 1947, he joined the Hawaii National Guard as intelligence officer of the 298th Regimental Combat Team.

In 1948, he was assigned as executive officer of the 1st Battalion, 298th Infantry, and later that year became its commander.

In 1952, Schaefer served as executive officer of the regiment. The following year, he assumed command of the 298th.

When the 298th Infantry was reorganized as an artillery antiaircraft unit in 1957, he was appointed commander of the 298th AAA Group. He served in this position…
– 1968 Summer The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 15

Schaefer Announces Retirement

By Sgt. Kin Lo
117th Public Affairs Detachment

BrigGen. Frederick A. Schaefer Ill

(Picture from the 1977 June Pūpūkahi)

Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer III, commanding general of the Hawaii Army National Guard (HARNG), will retire in September 1977. It will mark the end of 35 years of military service, 32 of which have been in HARNG.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Schaefer graduated from Punahou High School and Cornell University. Through ROTC training at Cornell, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942.

He was called to active duty and served with the 25th Division and the 66th Infantry Division during World War II. He remained on active duty until 1945. He then joined the Hawaii Army National Guard and served as an infantry battalion commander, an infantry regimental commander, and an anti-aircraft artillery group commander.

Schaefer was promoted to brigadier general in January 1959 and assumed command of the 29th Infantry Brigade. He served as brigade commander until February 1960, at which time he became commanding general of HARNG and assistant adjutant general (Army), State of Hawaii.

In May 1968, he volunteered to take command of the 29th Infantry Brigade, HARNG, upon its being called to active duty. He was later transferred in January 1969 to the 4th Infantry Division and assigned as assistant division commander. In July 1969, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, once again in the capacity of assistant division commander. In October 1969, he was reassigned as commanding general of the 29th Infantry Brigade.

The 29th Brigade was demobilized in December 1969 and returned to State status. At that time, Schaefer was reassigned as commanding general, HARNG, and assistant adjutant general (Army), State of Hawaii.

Reflecting over his 32 years in HARNG, Schaefer said, “We have some of the greatest individuals in the Guard and this, above all, will I miss upon my retirement. Serving with them has given me the satisfaction of having been in one of the most outstanding Army Guard units in our country.”
– 1977 June Pūpūkahi pp. 6

BrigGen. Frederick A. Schaefer III, is congratulated by well-wishers during his, recent retirement ceremony held in Diamond Head crater.