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Brigadier General Haruo Shigezawa

January 24, 2025
Categories: 
HING History, People
  • Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa
  • HAWAII'S NEWEST GENERAL-Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum (left), state adjutant general, and Mrs. Ruth Shigezawa, place the insignia of rank on Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa, deputy commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard's State Area Command and assistant adjutant general, Army
  • COMMAND PERFORMANCE-Brig. Gen. John R. D'Araujo. Jr. (left) congratulates Col. Bernard M. Watson (center), new commander, Troop Command and new deputy commander, STARC, Col. Haruo Shigezawa, at change of command ceremonies held at Army Aviation Support Facility, No. 1, Wheeler AFB, Feb. 21.
  • FAMILY GOOD WISHES-Col. Haruo Shigezawa is congratulated by daughters Jodie and Dawn, upon receiving command of the Headquarters Installation Command of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Looking on is his wife Ruth. (Hawaii Army National Guard Photo by Capt. William Bowles)
  • "Thank you"-Col. Haruo Shigezawa, past HNGA President, presents transplant recipient. Janeen Fukuhara a check for $14,231. The Hawaii National Guard Association and Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association raised the money through donations and a variety of fundraising events. L to r: Lt. Col. George Sheridan, Jr., Maj. Bruce Minato, Janeen and father, Patrick, sister, Lorie, and mother, Susan. Not pictured: brother, Cody.
  • THE GOVERNOR VISITS HIS TROOPS - Gov. George Ariyoshi and Lt. Col. Haruo Shigezawa followed by members of the media inspect the operations of the 159th Service Battalion at Dillingham Air Field. -117th PAD Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Iha.

Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa is the deputy commander, State Area Command, Hawaii Army National Guard, in Honolulu. He is responsible for assisting the adjutant general in the training, deployment and coordination of programs, policies and plans affecting more than 4,500 soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Shigezawa was born April 10, 1935, in Wailuku, Maui. He graduated from Baldwin High School in 1953 and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Hawaii in 1958 and master a of business administration from Pepperdine University in 1977. His military education includes the Basic Infantry Officer Course, 1958; Quartermaster Officer Advance Course, 1973; Command & General Staff College, 1978; and U.S. Army War College, 1982.

Shigezawa began his military career when he was commissioned a second lieutenant through the University of Hawaii’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program upon his graduation in 1958. He served in the Army as executive officer and battery commander at the school brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon his release from active duty, he joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1961. From 1961 to 1965, the general served in various positions in the 2nd Battle Group, 299th Infantry and 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry.

In 1965 he moved to Honolulu and became the logistics officer, 29th Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade. He was ordered to active duty with the activation of the 29th Infantry Brigade in 1968. He continued to serve as the battalion logistic officer at Schofield Barracks before serving in Vietnam as S-4, 144th Transportation Battalion and commander of the 563rd Transportation Company. Following his return from Vietnam, the general took command of Company C, 29th Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade. He later served as brigade supply officer, then as brigade logistics officer. In 1975, Shigezawa joined the 298th Field Depot, former designation of one of the major commands of the Hawaii Army National Guard. In 1976, the Field Depot was reorganized and became Headquarters Installation Command. Shigezawa served in various command and staff positions before becoming the commander of Headquarters Installation Command in 1985. Shigezawa was assigned to his present position as deputy commander, State Area Command, Hawaii Army National Guard in Honolulu, in February 1988 and federally recognized in his present rank in May 1989.

Shigezawa military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and other U.S. foreign and State of Hawaii decorations.

In civilian life, Shigezawa is employed by the City and County of Honolulu where he is the purchasing and contracts administrator.

Shigezawa and his wife, the former Ruth Chung of Hilo, live in Honolulu. They have four children: Glen, Jodie, Nadine and Dawn.

Shigezawa Takes Command of HIC

FAMILY GOOD WISHES-Col. Haruo Shigezawa is congratulated by daughters Jodie and Dawn, upon receiving command of the Headquarters Installation Command of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Looking on is his wife Ruth. (Hawaii Army National Guard Photo by Capt. William Bowles)
FAMILY GOOD WISHES-Col. Haruo Shigezawa is congratulated by daughters Jodie and Dawn, upon receiving command of the Headquarters Installation Command of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Looking on is his wife Ruth. (Hawaii Army National Guard Photo by Capt. William Bowles)
(Picture from the 1985 January – March Pūpūkahi)

Headquarters Installation Command (HIC) at Waiawa saw a change of command on February 10, 1985. Col. Haruo Shigezawa officially took command of the 1,589-member installation—the second largest within the Hawaii Army National Guard. He replaces Col. Earl Thompson, who retired.

Shigezawa was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1958 upon graduation from the University of Hawaii. He was called to active duty with other soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade in May 1968, and served in Vietnam until December 1969.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. Shigezawa’s civilian job is with the City and County of Honolulu; he is the Assistant Chief of the Department of Finance’s Purchasing Division.

Headquarters Installation Command consists of three support battalions and one engineer detachment. The units provide a broad spectrum of combat service support ranging from repairing and maintaining vehicles, weapons, helicopters, and other sophisticated Army equipment, to ground transportation, medical care, and other field services that include a bakery, laundry, and graves registration.

– 1985 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 1
COMMAND PERFORMANCE-Brig. Gen. John R. D'Araujo. Jr. (left) congratulates Col. Bernard M. Watson (center), new commander, Troop Command and new deputy commander, STARC, Col. Haruo Shigezawa, at change of command ceremonies held at Army Aviation Support Facility, No. 1, Wheeler AFB, Feb. 21.
COMMAND PERFORMANCE-Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo. Jr. (left) congratulates Col. Bernard M. Watson (center), new commander, Troop Command and new deputy commander, STARC, Col. Haruo Shigezawa, at change of command ceremonies held at Army Aviation Support Facility, No. 1, Wheeler AFB, Feb. 21.
(Picture from the 1988 January – March Pūpūkahi)

Shigezawa Receives His General’s Star

HAWAII'S NEWEST GENERAL-Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum (left), state adjutant general, and Mrs. Ruth Shigezawa, place the insignia of rank on Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa, deputy commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard's State Area Command and assistant adjutant general, Army
HAWAII’S NEWEST GENERAL-Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum (left), state adjutant general, and Mrs. Ruth Shigezawa, place the insignia of rank on Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa, deputy commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s State Area Command and assistant adjutant general, Army
(Pictures from the 1989 April – June Pūpūkahi)

Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa received his one-star insignia of rank during ceremonies held at Fort Ruger, May 21.

Shigezawa, 54, was confirmed as a brigadier general by the U.S. Senate, May 11. He serves as the assistant adjutant general, Army, and deputy commander of the State Area Command, Hawaii Army National Guard.

Shigezawa was born in Wailuku, Maui, and attended the University of Hawaii. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and his officer’s commission through the Reserve Officers Training Corps program in 1958.

He joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1961 after completing his reserve officer active-duty tour.

Shigezawa served another tour on active duty beginning in April 1968, when the 29th Infantry Brigade was called into federal service. He served in the Republic of Vietnam as a logistics officer and company commander through December 1969.

He is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College and War College. Shigezawa also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University, Calif.

Shigezawa works full-time as the administrator of the City Finance Department’s central purchasing and contracts administration agency.

He is married to the former Ruth Chung. They have four children: a son, Glenn, and daughters Jodie, Nadine, and Dawn.

By Capt. Cary M. Tsuji

– 1989 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Shigezawa Concludes Military Career

Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa
Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa
(Picture from the 1991 April – June Pūpūkahi)

An afternoon retirement ceremony capped the military career of Brig. Gen. Haruo Shigezawa, who retired as the assistant adjutant general, Army, and deputy commander of the State Area Command, Hawaii Army National Guard, April 14. The 3 p.m. ceremony was held in front of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) headquarters on 22nd Avenue.

Gen. Shigezawa began his military career more than thirty years ago when he received his commission through the University of Hawaii ROTC program. From 1950 to 1960, he served as an executive officer, then battery commander, of the School Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Gen. Shigezawa joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1961 in Hilo, serving as executive officer of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battle Group, 299th Infantry. Over the next five years, Gen. Shigezawa held various positions in the 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry, including assistant chief of staff (logistics) and company commander.

In 1966, Gen. Shigezawa became assistant chief of staff (logistics) for the 29th Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade. He served in the Republic of Vietnam, first as an assistant chief of staff and later as a transportation company commander.

Gen. Shigezawa commanded Company C, 29th Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade, upon his return. He subsequently became the brigade supply officer and the brigade assistant chief of staff (logistics). He transferred to the 298th Field Depot in 1975 and served in various positions.

Gen. Shigezawa commanded the 159th Maintenance Battalion from 1979 to 1982, when he became assistant chief of staff (logistics) at Headquarters, Hawaii Army National Guard.

In 1985, he took command of the Troop Command, then known as Headquarters Installation Command. He was appointed to his present position in 1988.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.

Gen. Shigezawa is employed full-time as the central purchasing and contracts administrator for the City and County of Honolulu. He and his wife, Ruth, have three daughters and a son.

– 1991 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 3