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Brigadier General Glen I. Sakagawa 

January 22, 2025
Categories: 
HING History, People
  • NEW COMMANDER-Maj. Glen Sakagawa (right) accepts the colors of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry from Brig. Gen. John R. D'Araujo Jr., commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate), during ceremonies held Feb. 5 at the National Guard's Wailuku Armory on Maui.
  • Lt. Col. Glen I. Sakagawa
  • Brig. Gen. Eugene S. Imai (left), commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, and Master Sgt. Timothy B. Galbiso (second from right) unfurl the colors of the 25th Infantry Division, 1st Detachment (Rear Command Post Operations Cell), at the unit's activation ceremony, Jan. 9. Col. Edward L. Correa Jr. (second from left), commander, Troop Command, looks on, and Lt. Col. Glen I. Sakagawa (right) stands by to take command of the detachment. The detachment is part of the active Army's 25th Infantry Division (Light) but is comprised of 19 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers. Sakagawa previously commanded the Hawaii Military Academy.
  • Col. Glen I. Sakagawa

Brig. Gen. Glen I. Sakagawa assumed command of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard, on Jan. 7, 2000. The brigade has units on the five major islands, three other states and two territories.

Sakagawa was born in Paia, Maui, on April 4, 1948. He graduated from Maui High School in 1966. He earned a bachelor of business administration degree in personnel/ industrial relations from University of Hawaii, in 1983. He also completed executive development programs from Duke University, University of Virginia, Stanford University, and the University of Hawaii. His military education includes U.S. Army Command & General Staff College in 1987 and U.S. Army War College in 1994.

He enlisted in the Army in 1966. He served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in December 1971 and received a direct commission from staff sergeant to second lieutenant. He served in various staff and command positions. Staff positions included senior tactical officer and logistic management officer. Command assignments included Company C, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry; 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry; Hawaii Military Academy commandant; 25th Infantry Division (Rear Operations Cell); 103rd Troop Command; HQ, 298th Regiment, Regional Training Institute; and HIARNG deputy commander until his appointment as commander of the Brigade. He received U.S. Senate confirmation as a brigadier general, Oct. 6, 2000.

His military and civilian affiliations include the Purple Heart Assn., 101st Airborne Assn., 100/442 Infantry Battalion Assn., Hawaii National Guard Assn., University of Hawaii Alumni Assn., Disabled Americans Veterans Assn., Boy Scouts of America, Senior Baseball League, USA War College Alumni Assn., Greater Idea Consultant, and Postal Career Executive Service.

Sakagawa, an executive, is the senior manager for the U.S. Postal Honolulu Cluster. He and his wife, Gail Arasaki of Honolulu, have four children: Ginn, Gavin, Gerin and Gaine.

EDUCATION

  • 1967 Airborne School
  • 1983 University of Hawaii, BBA Degree, Personnel Industrial Relations
  • 1994 U.S. Army War College

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. Dec 71 ‘ Dec 72, Executive Officer, 12th Adjutant General Company, 
  2. Jan 73 ‘ Aug 75, Aide-de-Camp, Assistant Division Commander, Honolulu, Hawaii
  3. Sep 75 ‘ Oct 75, Platoon Leader, Co A, 1/299th Infantry, Honolulu, Hawaii
  4. Mar 77 ‘ Jan 79, TAC Off, Hawaii Military Academy, Honolulu, Hawaii
  5. Jan 79 ‘ Feb 79, Battalion Communication Electronics Officer
  6. Mar 79 ‘ May 80, Commander, Co C, 1/299th Infantry
  7. May 80 ‘ Oct 80, Assistant S-4, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, Honolulu, Hawaii
  8. Oct 80 ‘ May 82, Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Command, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, Honolulu, Hawaii
  9. Jun 82 ‘ Oct 83, Senior Tactical Officer, Hawaii Military Academy, Honolulu, Hawaii
  10. Jul 84 ‘ May 86, Physical Security Officer, Hawaii Army National Guard, Honolulu, Hawaii
  11. Dec 88 ‘ Dec 89, Civil Affairs Office, S-5, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, Honolulu, Hawaii
  12. Jan 89 ‘ Oct 91, Battalion Commander, 1/299th Infantry, Honolulu, Hawaii
  13. Oct 91 ‘ Sep 92, Commandant, Hawaii Military Academy, Honolulu, Hawaii
  14. Sep 92 ‘ Jul 93, Commander, 25th Infantry Division Detachment
  15. Dec 94 ‘ Mar 95, Executive Officer, G-1 Hawaii Army National Guard, Honolulu, Hawaii
  16. Mar 95 ‘ Jul 96, Logistics Officer, U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Honolulu, Hawaii
  17. Jul 96 ‘ Jun 99, Commander, Headquarters, 298th Regiment, Regional Training Institute Hawaii, Attached to Headquarters State Area Command (-Detachments 3 & 4) Hawaii Army National Guard, additional duty as Deputy Commander, Hawaii Army National Guard, Honolulu, Hawaii
  18. Jan 00 ‘ Present, Brigade Commander, 20th Separate Infantry Brigade, Honolulu, Hawaii

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Bronze Star Medal
  • Purple Heart
  • Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
  • Air Medal
  • Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
  • Army Achievement Medal
  • Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
  • National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star
  • Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal
  • Army Service Ribbon
  • Overseas Service Ribbon
  • Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon with Numeral Four
  • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with five Stars
  • Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star
  • Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation
  • Combat Infantry Badge
  • Parachutist Badge
  • Hawaii National Guard Commendation Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS

  • 2LT ARNG 17 Dec 71
  • 1 LT ARNG 16 Dec 74
  • CPT ARNG 20 Dec 77
  • MAJ ARNG 30 Aug 84
  • LTC ARNG 12 Dec 88
  • COL ARNG 10 May 95
  • BG ARNG 6 Oct 00

Last updated January 2001

Sakagawa Assumes Command of 1st Battalion

NEW COMMANDER-Maj. Glen Sakagawa (right) accepts the colors of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry from Brig. Gen. John R. D'Araujo Jr., commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate), during ceremonies held Feb. 5 at the National Guard's Wailuku Armory on Maui.
NEW COMMANDER-Maj. Glen Sakagawa (right) accepts the colors of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry from Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr., commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate), during ceremonies held Feb. 5 at the National Guard’s Wailuku Armory on Maui.
(Pictures from the 1989 January – March Pūpūkahi)

Maj. Glen I. Sakagawa assumed command of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, during ceremonies held at the Wailuku Armory, Feb. 5.

He replaced Lt. Col. Lloyd K. Sodetani, who commanded the 1st Battalion since September 1985. Sodetani was reassigned as the civil affairs officer (S-5), 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate).

The 1st Battalion, headquartered in Wailuku, is one of two infantry battalions in the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate). The 1st Battalion has units located on Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai.

Sakagawa enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served with the 101st Airborne Division in the Republic of Vietnam. He joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1971 and received a direct appointment from staff sergeant to second lieutenant.

His military education includes graduation from the U.S. Army’s Infantry Advanced Officers’ Course and the Command and General Staff Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutists’ Badge, and numerous others.

Sakagawa is employed full-time as the division director of marketing and communication for the U.S. Postal Service, Pacific Area. He was formerly postmaster of Kahului, postmaster of Ewa Beach, and district director of customer service. In his spare time, he is a business consultant and lecturer.

He is a graduate of Maui High School and the University of Hawaii (U of H), where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Personnel/Industrial Relations. He also completed the Executive Development Programs at Duke University and the U of H.

Maj. Sakagawa and his wife, the former Gail Arasaki of Honolulu, have four children: Ginn, Gavin, Gerin, and Gaine.

By Staff Sgt. Stephen M. Lum

– 1989 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Officers honored at awards banquet

. . .

Lt. Col. Glen I. Sakagawa
Lt. Col. Glen I. Sakagawa
(Pictures from the 1990 April – June Pūpūkahi)

Lt. Col. Glen I. Sakagawa, commander of the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, was presented with the award for outstanding field grade commander. He has greatly improved morale in his unit and dramatically increased drill attendance.

– 1990 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 12

Hawaii National Guard Association officers of the year announced

Col. Glen I. Sakagawa
Col. Glen I. Sakagawa
(Picture from the 2000 January – February Pūpūkahi)

Field grade commander: Col. Glen I. Sakagawa, 103rd Troop Command (now 29th
Separate Infantry Brigade commander).

– 2000 January – February Pūpūkahi pp. 7