Brigadier General John R. D’Araujo

January 21, 2025

Brig. Gen. John R. (Jack) D’ Araujo, Jr. is the Acting Director, Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau, Washington, DC. As Acting Director, he formulates, develops, and coordinates all programs, policies and plans affecting the Army National Guard and its more than 440,000 citizen soldiers.

D’ Araujo was born on Feb. 24, 1943, in Hilo, Hawaii. He is a 1962 graduate of Saint Joseph’s High School in Hilo, and also a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, graduating in 1987, with a bachelor of science degree in Liberal Arts. His military education includes the Infantry and Air Defense Artillery Basic Courses, the Air Defense Electronic Warfare Course, the Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff Course and the Army War College.

His military career begin when he enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in May 1960. D’ Araujo was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Hawaii Army National Guard on June 28, 1963, upon graduation from the Officer Candidate School, State of Hawaii Military Academy. He served as a platoon leader in the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry of the 29th Infantry Brigade and later as aide-de-camp to the brigade commander. He went on to serve as a reconnaissance platoon leader in the 29th Infantry Brigade and from 1964 to 1968, served as a platoon leader and battery executive officer in the 298th Artillery Group (Nike-Hercules). D’ Araujo volunteered for active duty in May 1968, with the mobilization of the 29th Infantry Brigade, serving in several assignments prior to departing for South Vietnam where he served for nine months. First as Commander of Mobile Advisor Team 111-42, then later as S3 advisor for Advisory Team 44. D’ Araujo was released from active duty and returned to Hawaii where he served in various command and staff positions with the 29th Infantry brigade. In 1978. he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and became commander of the Hawaii Army National Guards Troop Command. Three years later, he attended and graduated from the U.S. Army War College and was promoted to Colonel. He then became U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer for Guam and later the senior Army National Guard Advisor to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Mobilization and Readiness Region Ill. In August 1983, he came to the National Guard Bureau and served consecutive assignments as Chief. Mobilization and Readiness Division and Chief, Organization and Training Division. He returned to Hawaii in May 1987, upon being appointed Assistant Adjutant General, Army, receiving a promotion to brigadier general in September 1987. He took command of the 29th Infantry Brigade in February 1988. In November 1990, D’ Araujo was selected to become the Deputy Director of the Army National Guard. In November 1992, he was appointed as the Acting Director, Army National Guard.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit. the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army General Staff Badge.

D’ Araujo is a member of the National Guard Associations of Hawaii and the U.S. and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

D’Araujo is married to the former Eileen Garrett of Midland, Texas and resides in Fort Belvoir, Va. They have two daughters, Samantha and Cathleen.

Last updated January 1993

Position Appointment 1987
Change of Command 1988
Farewell Ceremony 1990
1993
Position Appointment 1993
2002

Assistant AG, Army, Appointed

Col. John R. D’Araujo, Jr.

(Picture from the 1987 April – June Pūpūkahi)

Col. John R. D’Araujo, Jr., 44, was appointed by Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, State Adjutant General, with the concurrence of Governor John Waihee, as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army, effective June 1, 1987. Col. D’Araujo’s last assignment was as the Chief, Organization and Training Division, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Col. D’Araujo was born in Hilo, Hawaii, attended St. Joseph High School, University of Hawaii, Hilo, and State University of New York.

His military career started when he enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in May 1960. Col. D’Araujo was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Guard on June 28, 1963, through the Officer Candidate School, State of Hawaii Military Academy. He served in numerous positions in the Hawaii Army National Guard, to include the 299th Infantry, 298th Artillery Group Air Defense Nike Hercules, 297th Supply and Service Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade, and Command and Control Group A.

After completing the Army War College in 1981, he served as the U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer for the Guam National Guard. In 1983, Col. D’Araujo was assigned to the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., as the Chief of the Mobilization and Readiness Division.

His military service spans over 26 years to include a tour in Vietnam. He has earned the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and several other awards.

He and his wife, Eileen, have two daughters—Samantha and Cathleen.
– 1987 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Army Guard makes major command changes

BRIGADE STAR EXCHANGE-The State Adjutant, Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum (right), passes to Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo, Jr., the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) flag, at ceremonies held at the Brigade headquarters, Jan. 10.

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.

(Pictures from the 1988 January – March Pūpūkahi)

The Hawaii Army National Guard has a new look this year. The major commands have changed hands starting in January 1988.

On Jan. 10, 1988. Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo, Jr. assumed the command of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) from retiring Col. Donald M. Oura.
– 1988 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 4

D’Araujo: Guard Bureau’s New Army Deputy Director

He Leaves Hawaii with Mixed Emotions, but Looks Forward to New Challenges

By Sgt. Jennifer K. Horimoto
117th PAD

Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr.

(Picture from the 1990 July – September Pūpūkahi)

A farewell ceremony for Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr., commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate), was held Oct. 14 on the lawn in front of the Brigade Armory.

D’Araujo was selected by the Secretary of the Army to become the Deputy Director to the Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C. He started Nov. 1.

With two consecutive tours with the Guard Bureau and 31 months as commander of the Brigade, D’Araujo feels his experience in the 29th has given him fresh new views of what’s going on in the field. This will be very, very helpful in his new job, D’Araujo said.

While he is looking forward to new challenges, D’Araujo expressed mixed emotions.

“I will miss most the interaction with the young soldier in a combat unit such as the 29th,” D’Araujo said. “One needs to see the brigade at their best, which is in the field. To actually see the young soldiers give it their all, I believe, is the most gratifying.”

D’Araujo was nominated for his assignment by Governor John Waihee and Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, the state adjutant general. He was selected from a field of more than ten general officers nominated by their respective states.

His new responsibilities will include supporting programs of the director and involvement with the budget process.

D’Araujo says he will always be a Hawaii Guardsman and will always feel that the apex of his career was being commander of the 29th.

“I don’t know of a job anywhere that can duplicate it.”
– 1990 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Newly promoted
Maj. Gen. John R.
D'Araujo Jr.
shares a laugh
with Gov. John
1 Waihee during a
surprise ceremony
notifying D'Araujo
of his approved
nomination to
head the Army
National Guard,
March 11, 1993. — Newly promoted Maj. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr. shares a laugh with Gov. John Waihee during a surprise ceremony notifying D’Araujo of his approved nomination to head the Army National Guard, March 11, 1993.

Hawaii General Appointed to Top Army National Guard Post

Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr., director of the Army National Guard, shares a laugh with Gov. John Waihee during a surprise gathering of his family and former colleagues at the State Office Tower, March.11. The event was organized by Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson.

(Picture from the 1993 February – March Pūpūkahi)

Hawaii’s own Brig. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr. was appointed director of the Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau, by President William J. Clinton, March 11. In conjunction with his appointment, D’Araujo has been nominated for promotion to the grade of major general.

D’Araujo’s appointment is the highest yet awarded a Hawaii citizen by President Clinton.

As head of the Army National Guard, D’Araujo is responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all programs, policies, and plans affecting 440,000 Army National Guard soldiers nationwide. He has served as acting director since August 1992.

Born in Pepeekeo, Hawaii, to parents John Sr. and Florence, D’Araujo graduated from St. Joseph High School in Hilo. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York in 1977.

D’Araujo began his distinguished military career in 1960 by enlisting in the Hawaii Army National Guard. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1963, after graduating from the Hawaii Military Academy.

In 1968, he volunteered for active duty with the 29th Infantry Brigade and, in 1969, commanded a mobile advisory team in Vietnam. His father served in Vietnam at the same time.

In 1978, D’Araujo assumed command of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Troop Command. He served as U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer for the Guam National Guard from 1981 to 1983, when he became the senior Army National Guard advisor to the commanding general, U.S. Army Mobilization and Readiness Region III.

Later in 1983, D’Araujo began four years of service with the National Guard Bureau’s Army Directorate in Washington, D.C.

D’Araujo returned to Hawaii in 1987 to serve as assistant adjutant general, Army, Hawaii National Guard. He was federally recognized as a brigadier general in late 1987 and assigned as commander, 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate), in 1988. He moved back to Washington in 1990 to serve as deputy director of the Army National Guard.

He and his wife, Eileen, live at Fort Belvoir, Va., and have two daughters, Samantha and Cathleen.
– 1993 February – March Pūpūkahi pp. 1

D’Araujo Returns to Washington, D.C.

John R. “Jack” D’Araujo Jr.

(Picture from the 2002 July – September Pūpūkahi)

John R. “Jack” D’Araujo Jr., the former director of the Army National Guard, has been appointed assistant director for the Readiness, Response and Recovery Directorate at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Agency Director Joe M. Allbaugh announced today.

D’Araujo will report to Allbaugh and be responsible for executing the federal government’s response to major disasters and emergencies. He will also be responsible for the multi-billion-dollar Individual and Public Assistance Grant programs and FEMA participation in national exercises.

“I have the utmost confidence in Jack. He has the skills and talent to take on this crucial role at this time,” Allbaugh said. “Responding to and recovering from natural and man-made disasters have always been a crucial part of FEMA’s core mission, and I know I can expect Jack to continue to build upon that success in the years ahead.”

D’Araujo served in the Army National Guard for more than 32 years in principal command and staff assignments. Among his assignments was directing a major reorganization of 1,000 staff from 15 disparate entities and directing training, logistics support and personnel preparations for the mobilization of 62,000 Guardsmen for Operation DESERT STORM. Prior to his last military assignments at the Guard Bureau, D’Araujo served tours as commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard and the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade.

After his retirement, D’Araujo served in several positions, most recently as an independent consultant to the Department of Defense and FEMA. At Allbaugh’s request, D’Araujo conducted an assessment of FEMA operational readiness for disaster response prior to and during the World Trade Center event, including a review of the organization’s policy, procedures and personnel.

A native of Hilo, Hawaii, D’Araujo is a graduate of the Army War College and the Army Command and General Staff College. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the State University of New York.
– 2002 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 7