Hawaii National Guard Still in Federal Service The year ending June 30, 1942, finds the Hawaii National Guard, consisting of the Territorial (State) Staff and Detachment, and the 298th and 299th Infantries still in federal service and contributing in no small measure to the defense of the Pacific Area and the Nation.

During this fiscal year the 298th Infantry, under command of Colonel Wilhelm A. Andersen, augmented by many selectees, was stationed on the Island of Oahu. The 299th Infantry, under command of Colonel Gordon C. Ross, was also enlarged by the inception of selectees, and stationed on the Islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Molokai. Certain officers and enlisted men of the Territorial Staff and Detachment are continuing on duty with the Territorial Selective Service Headquarters in Honolulu.

–1941-1942 Annual Report pp.8

World War II activation remembered

In anticipation of the United States’ involvement in World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called on National Guard units across the nation to help fill the ranks of the newly expanded active Army . Hawaii’s 298th and 299th Infantry were two of the National Guard units called out.

The Hawaii units were tapped in the second increment of the presidential callup which inducted soldier from as far away as New York and Puerto Rico. The 298th, stationed at the Honolulu Armory, was commanded by Col. Wilhelm A. Andersen. Col. Gordon C. Ross was commander of the 299th, then stationed at lolani Barracks. Both infantry units were to serve for a 12-month period. (This period was later extended an additional 18 months.)

On Oct. 15, 1940, the two units’ 1,700+ members reported to Schofield Barracks for intensive training and preparation. Patriotism was high and there was wides spread support for the Guardsmen. To assist the young men in settling into their station camps, local residents and organizations collected donations to help pay for the soldiers’ personal items not provided by the Federal Government. The local media proudly referred to the men of the 298th and 299th as “Hawaii’s Own.”

On Dec. 8, 1941, a Hawaii Guardsman captured the first Japanese prisoner of World War II. On guard duty at Bellows Field, Master Sgt. David Akui captured Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki, commander of a two-man midget submarine. Sakamaki had swam ashore after being grounded during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor the morning earlier.

– 1990 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 8

Hawaii Guard activated for WWII

In the late 1930s, as war loomed in Europe and the Pacific, it became clear to previously neutral countries that regional conflicts were escalating into a global contest. Many countries braced for possible entry into another world war, including the United States, which activated reservists to fill a newly expanded active Army. The National Guard of Hawaii was tapped in the second increment of the federal call-up, its 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments to serve with the Army’s 24th Infantry Division in the South Pacific.

American patriotism was at an all-time high and there was widespread support for the territory’s citizen soldiers, who would later be dubbed”Hawaii’s Own.” Elaborate farewell ceremonies were held on the neighbor islands and local businesses and residents donated monies to purchase personal items and recreational equipment for the men. On Oct. 15, 1940, more than 1,600 National Guard soldiers from throughout the territory reported to Schofield Barracks, Oahu, for military training and preparation.

The soldiers settled into military life quickly and completely. Within 14 working days, the Third Regiment, Combat Engineers, 298th Infantry, had constructed a wooden cantonment in the area of Schofield known as National Guard Woods. Barracks construction for the 299th followed, with soldiers moving into their new quarters on Dec. 3. Col. Wilhelm A. Andersen was the commander of the 298th Infantry, stationed at the Honolulu Armory. Col. Gordon C. Ross commanded the 299th Infantry, then stationed at Iolani Barracks.

In early April, the territorial legislature expressed concern about the vulnerability of neighbor islands to enemy attack. Later that month, neighbor island units began returning to their home stations. The units were involved in numerous military construction projects and played major roles in building facilities at Hilo Airport, Hawaii; Barking Sands, Kauai; and Homestead Field, Molokai.

For many months after the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, both regiments were assigned to beach defense duties. On Oahu, Guard soldiers took over for active Army forces deployed from Schofield.

In spring 1942, Guardsmen of Japanese descent were formed into a separate group that later became the 100th Infantry Battalion. The 299th Infantry was so depleted by this reorganization that the regiment was inactivated and its remaining members transferred to the 298th.

Due to numerous personnel changes and transfers, Hawaii Guard soldiers comprised only 15 percent of the 298th in 1943 when the regiment was sent to Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo to guard port facilities. (Local and mainland draftees made up the majority of the unit, in nearly equal numbers.)

Most elements returned to Oahu in late 1944, and all but one of the battalions were deactivated on Oct. 10, 1945. Separation papers sent to the National Guard of Hawaii headquarters showed that local Guardsmen served longer and accrued more service points than any other Hawaii military group.

Compiled from Hawaii National Guard historical files.

– 1991 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 8

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