ISLE NATIONAL GUARD UNIT ACTIVATED

(Honolulu Star Bulletin/ April 11)

On April 11th, 1968 the people of Hawaii opened their evening newspapers and were met with the above headline.

The Hawaii National Guard had been called to active duty the first time since World War II.

The 29th Infantry Brigade under the command of Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer III reported to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii on May 13th with 187 officers, 21 warrant officers, and 2,760 enlisted men to begin their Federal active service.

Units affected by the call-up included: Headquarters and Head quarters Company, 29th Infantry Brigade; 29th General Support Aviation Platoon; 227th Engineer Company; 1st Battalion , 487th Artillery; 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry ; 2d Battalion, 299th Infantry; and the 29th Support Battalion.

The May 13th call-up of the 29th Infantry Brigade also involved some 20,000 other Army, Navy, and Air Force Reservists on the mainland. Although there was some early criticism expressed over Hawaii’s share of the call-up being larger than the national average, this eventually subsided as the 29th worked day and nigh to prepare themselves for Federal service.

The activation of the 29th Infantry Brigade affected not only the Guardsman and his immediate family but also the community as well. Doctors, lawyers, policemen, postmen all reported for duty with the 29th.

– 1968 Annual Report pp.9

On 13 May 1968, “Hawaii’s Own” 29th Infantry Brigade stood at attention on Kuroda Field at Fort DeRussy and was activated into the regular Army.

Now the Brigade is two-thirds of its way through its federal service. Called originally for 24 months, the Guardsmen’s and Reservists’ active duty time was later reduced to 18 months and a demobilization day of 15 December 1969 was announced.

Much has happened over the past year. The story of the 29th has been one of change. Former civilian soldiers have become professionals, hundreds of original 29ers have gone to help fight the war in Vietnam and in their place new men from all over the United States have come to fill the ranks. Twelve former 29th Brigade members have fallen in the service of their country.

Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer, III, his staff and the battalion commanders faced an awesome task. Training started on the run. M-14 rifles replaced the old M-l’s, new equipment was issued, and special sophisticated weaponry was on the way.

Troop E, 19th Cavalry, received the M-551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicle and the 227th Engineer Company was scheduled to receive the Armored Vehicle Launch Bridge and the Combat Engineer Vehicle.

All troops underwent weapons qualification during the first few weeks. Quarters, largely disused since the departure of the 25th Infantry Division, had to be made livable.

In late May, 15 Reservists of the 277th Military Intelligence Detachment, Arizona, and 135 men of the 40th Aviation Company, California, arrived and were initially assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army, Hawaii, and later transferred to the 29th Brigade.

A ninety day period of intensive training began, starting with individual training and progressing through squad, platoon, company and battalion exercises to include jungle training. During this period the Brigade developed into a fully combat ready organization.

Troop E, 19th Cavalry, moved to the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii in mid-July to become the first Brigade unit to utilize the rugged terrain of this training area. They were soon followed by every unit within the Brigade.

In late August, the Brigade received its first levy for reassignment of approximately 20 individuals to Vietnam.

November brought the beginning of the 29th’s final examination. The originally scheduled 90 days of intensive training was stretched to 180 days. After six months of hard charging, the 29th was ready to show what it had accomplished. A full scale operation was started. Pretending that the Brigade was part of a division slated to attack a beachhead in Korea, the logistical stages of the Brigade’s field training exercise were begun. Located in the “Mongoose Hilton”, a bunker buried beneath the pineapple fields of central Oahu, the brigade and battalion staffs planned every detail of an actual operation. On the first of December, with the planning completed, the troops executed the plan by launching an all out attack in the Koolaus, simulated to be a beachhead in Korea.

Immediately after the field training exercise, Brigadier General Schaefer announced that he had received orders for duty in Vietnam with a departure date of 9 January 1969.

After Christmas it was announced that Brigadier General James K. Terry was to become the new commander of the 29th. He arrived on 21 February and formally took command on 24 February from Colonel Clyde W. Woods, Jr., who had acted as Brigade Commander since the departure of General Schaefer.

The reenlistment rate in the 29th had always been high. This fact was highlighted in mid-February when Major General Roy Lassetter, Jr., Commanding General of U.S. Army, Hawaii, swore in a large group of 29th Brigade personnel and presented the Brigade with all three U.S. Army, Hawaii’s reenlistment trophies.

Also about this time the Brigade received somber news. Its first former member had been killed in Vietnam. The man killed had been a “filler” from the mainland and had only been with the Brigade for several months, but it still hurt.

Fiscal year 1969 closed with the Brigade colors continuing to fly at Schofield Barracks, but with approximately 50% of those originally ordered to active duty with the Brigade now serving in Vietnam.

– 1969 Annual Report pp. 12

IN MEMORIAM

It is with deep regret that the deaths of the following personnel of the 29th Infantry Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard, mobilized on 13 May 1968, are announced. The Hawaii National Guard mourns the loss(sic) of these loyal members who served their country with distinction and honor.

Combat Deaths

• PFC Earl C. M. Au Hoy – Co A 1st Bn 299th Inf
• SP4 John 5. Otake Co A 1st Bn 299th Inf
• PFC Glenn T. Shibata-Gnd Survl & Hv Mort Plat HHC 2d Bn 299th Inf
• SFC Edward L. Loo, Jr. – Co C 2d Bn 299th Inf
• PFC Michael S. Nakashima – HHC 29th In(Bde

Non-Combat Deaths

• lSG Anthony C. S. Tam Sing – HHC 29th Inf Bde
• SP4 Norman K. Hayashi – Co D 29th Spt Bn
• SP4 Rudy Aquino – Co B (-) 1st Bn 299th Inf
• PFC Robert H. Kawamoto – Btry A 1st Bn 487th Arty
• lSG Joseph Harvest – Co A 29th Spt Bn
• PFC Dennis R. Penis Co A ( -) 2d Bn 299th Inf
• SSG Allen K. Matsumoto — HHC 29th Inf Bde

– 1969 Annual Report pp.4

IN MEMORIAM

It is with deep regret that the Department announces the deaths of additional 29th Infantry Brigade members during Fiscal year 1970. These men were mobilized with the Brigade on May 13, 1968. The Department mourns the loss of these loyal men who served their country with distinction and honor.

COMBAT DEATHS

• SP4 Roger R. Pangan, Trp E, 19th Cav
• SGT Gaylord K. Defries , Co B, 1st Bn, 299th Inf
• SP4 Walter D. Browne, Co C, 1st Bn, 299th Inf
• 1LT John K. Kauhaihao, Co C, 2d Bn, 299th Inf
• SP4 Alberto Milar Jr., HHC, 2d Bn, 299th Inf
• SGT Wilfredo B. Andrada, Co B, 2d Bn , 299th Inf

NON-COMBAT DEATHS

• SP4 David S. Laamea, Co B, 1st Bn, 299th Inf
• SP4 Frank T. Longakit, Co A, 2d Bn, 299th Inf

– 1970 Annual Report pp.5

29TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

The 29th Infantry Brigade was released from active duty and reverted to State status on December 13, 1969 after 19 months of Federal service. Brigade personnel levied for overseas duty began returning from Vietnam and Korea in late November of 1969. A deactivation ceremony was held, on December 10, 1969, during a Brigade review at Schofield Barracks. Colonel Edward M. Yoshimasu, Chief of Staff, Hawaii Army National Guard, was designated as the Acting Commander and assumed command on December 13, 1969, replacing Brigadier General Frederick A. Schaefer Ill.

The strength of the 29th Infantry Brigade, upon deactivation, was 1,797 officers and enlisted men, compared to an authorized strength of 3,306. At the end of February 1970, the strength of the Brigade decreased to an aggregate of 1,190. The losses consisted primarily of individuals who chose to transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (USAR). As of June 30, 1970, the strength of the Brigade was 1,582, or 47.8 percent of authorized strength, a gain of 392 from its strength at the end of February 1970.

The following awards were received by personnel of the Brigade during the active duty period:

• Distinguished Service Medal-1
• Legion of Merit-2
• Silver Star-4
• Air Medal-87
• Bronze Star-187
• Army Commendation Medal-208
• Joint Service Commendation Medal-3
• Purple Heart-40

On June 30, 1970, there were 120 non-prior-service personnel from the Brigade who were on active duty and undergoing recruit training in Continental United States Training Centers. At the end of the fiscal year, 274 non-prior service individuals were awaiting entry into the Reserve Enlistment Program.

Upon deactivation in December 1969, the 29th Infantry Brigade undertook the tremendous task of rebuilding its units to premobilization strength. Strength buildup was the primary objective of all units. To assist the units in recruiting, Headquarters United States Army, Hawaii, assigned three former Brigade NCO’s to the 29th. These NCO’s had extended their tours on active duty. Three 25-passenger Army buses were converted into mobile recruiting offices and were utilized at schools and public meeting places. By June 30, 1970, 396 men had been recruited by units of the Brigade.

Brigade training began in January 1970, following demobilization. Emphasis was placed upon strength buildup, organization of units, and receipt and processing of TOE and TA equipment. This was followed by training in mandatory subjects and civil disturbance operations.

Upon deactivation, the Brigade was required to turn over all TOE equipment to the 4th Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, which was activated in December of 1969. The 29th Infantry Brigade began receiving new TOE equipment in January of 1970. The equipment included M-14 rifles, 1 ¼ ton trucks, unit mess equipment and other items. Major items of equipment for training that have not been received in sufficient numbers to date include: radios, l ¼ ton trucks, 2½ ton trucks, crew served weapons, and engineer equipment. By the end of the fiscal year, the Brigade had received approximately 66 percent of its TOE equipment.

– 1970 Annual Report pp.9

29th Infantry Brigade Activation: May 1968 – December 1969

It’s been 10 years since the end of the Vietnam War, but for all those who were activated with the 29th Infantry Brigade. the memories are still vivid. There were 1,100 Hawaii National Guardsmen serving in Southeast Asia and Korea between 1968 and 1969. Twenty Hawaii Guardsmen were killed.

The Pupukahi pays tribute to all those who were there and reflects back on the Hawaii Army National Guard’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

– 1985 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

20th Anniversary of ’68 mobilization commemorated

The 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) received the Army National Guard Meritorious Service Award from the National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C., March. 5. The award recognized the 20th anniversary of the mobilization of Army National Guard units during 1968 for service in Vietnam.

Col. Haruo Shigezawa, deputy commander, State Area Command, presented the award to Col. Edward R. Cruickshank, deputy commander of the brigade.

On May 13, 1968, nearly 3,000 brigade soldiers reported to Schofield Barracks to begin their Federal active-duty service. It was the first time since World War II that the Hawaii Army National Guard was called up for active-duty.

After 18 months, brigade soldiers returned home to State control. During those months, many brigade soldiers served in Vietnam.

Annually, the 29th Infantry Brigade and Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion conducts a memorial service honoring 29 Hawaii Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers who died while on active duty.

– 1989 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Moderows remember the ’68 activation

Nobody expected it (the activation) to happen. and then it happened

The lens of the camera closed at just the right moment to forever capture the emotion of his departure. Her head, tucked to hide the tears, rests on his chest. His steel pot hides his eyes and face but his left arm betrays him as it encircles his wife to draw her near. His boots are spotless. He loosely grasps his M-1 rifle, which is slung on his shoulder with his right hand grasping its stock. It is a heart-wrenching farewell filled with tears and a warm, patriotic glow.

More than 20 years ago, a photographer’s timing was flawless as he captured for posterity the departure of Spec. 4 Robert Moderow, the first Hawaii Army National Guardsman levied for service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The quality of the photo, combined with the obvious emotion it evokes made this photo a “must-print” for the 1968 summer edition of the Hawaii Guardsman magazine. The only drawback was that the couple could not be identified. It remained a mystery.

The powerful photo later found its way into the mission briefing for the Hawaii State Department of Defense. For 29th Brigade soldiers who served in Vietnam, the picture invokes a strong empathy with the tall young man and the woman wearing a muumuu. For those who never went, it became a potent reminder that a call to active duty could come at any time.

’68 Call-up couple identified

But for 20 years. the question lingered, “who are they?” It went unanswered, until recently.

Deanna DeMello, the key person from the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, “Ohana” family support group, was reviewing the 1989 version of the Hawaii National Guard Family Support Program video with her husband, Maj. Damien DeMello. She mentioned to him that the people in the photo were never identified.

Maj. DeMello recalled, “I was there at Fort DeRussy – it’s my friend Robert Moderow and his wife, Linda.”

Deanna quickly relayed this information to David Price, the State family program coordinator.

After further investigation, the photo did prove to be the Moderows who still lived on Oahu, in Hawaii Kai.

Brigade activation, May 13, 1968

While a member of the 29th Support Battalion, Moderow was a public information specialist with the Hawaii Army National Guard. He and his wife, along with two friends, owned a full-time landscaping business. At the time the photo was taken. the Moderows had a one-year-old-son, Bobby, and Linda was two months pregnant with a second child.

After being called up in April 1968, the 29th Infantry Brigade and the U.S. Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion were activated on May 13. 1968.

Knowing his business would not continue without him, Moderow sold all assets before leaving for Vietnam.

“There was a chance I wouldn’t come back and I couldn’t leave bills around for Linda to be stuck with. I hated to sell my business, but I had to,” Moderow said.

Moderow serves in Vietnam

While on active duty, Moderow was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi, Vietnam. Moderow worked in civil affairs (G-5), mainly in psychological operations. He also worked in a program called “Helping Hand” where canned goods, grain, and medical supplies were provided to Vietnamese villagers.

Seven months after Moderow’s arrival in Vietnam. Kim was born.

“When Kim was born, I kept trying to call and I kept getting the same message. ‘Cu Chi was hit,”‘ says Linda . “Now I’m in the hospital, right? I’ve just given birth to Kim. I tell you, I kept begging the locators and operators to please try anything, but just get through to my husband. I was so scared and upset and yet so happy and excited about Kim. Talk about emotions! The nurses at Kapiolani didn’t know what to do. They were happy but scared, too . They kept telling me, don’t worry!”

“When I finally got through, on the general’s phone line, it was wonderful! Bob chose the name Kimberley for the baby and Kimberley she is. But I wouldn’t want to go through that again. I was too young. Nobody deserves that,” said Linda. “I just wasn’t prepared.”

Stronger and grateful today

Today, the Moderow again own a landscaping business. Hawaii Landscape and nursery. Their son, Bobby, is 21 and Kim, the baby born while Bob was in Vietnam, is 20 years old. Bobby has his own landscaping business and Kim works part time with her father and at Safeway Supermarket.

When looking at the photo, the Moderows go back to that day twenty plus years ago on the lot by the beach at Fort DeRussy. where the Hale Koa Hotel now stands.

“Oh no! Look! Look how sad! It was such a sad day. It was such a very, sad day,” said Linda. “Oh that looks so pathetic. I remember that day. It was so hot and humid.”

“I remember a lieutenant colonel was holding Bobby when this photo was taken. That’s why he’s not in it,” said Linda.

Moderow remembers. “Nobody expected it (the activation) to happen. We were a ready reserve force, and then it happened. We never thought it would happen to us. It was such a surprise to me. What chaos!”

Even though the memories bring back sadness, both agree the trials they lived through made them strong and very grateful for their blessings today.

“Most people don’t think about death, but when you face it every day you learn to respect life,” said Robert. “Anything is better than being dead. You might not have much. but at least you’re not dead. You can see someone smile. You can look around and see flowers, you know. but at least you’re not dead.”

The tears aren’t there anymore and the steel pot Bob wore in Vietnam has been replaced by a full head of hair with a sprinkle of gray. The boots have long been thrown away and there is no M-1 to carry. The Moderows are just a family whom a photographer captured on film twenty years ago. The photograph that remains, however, is a split second moment in their life that will live forever in their memories.

By 2nd. Lt. Margret N. Meacham

– 1989 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 13

Brigade soldiers hold 1968 call-up reunion

By Gaye S. Sakamoto and Stephen M. Lum

Soldiers from the 29th Infantry Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard, activated in 1968 during the Vietnam conflict, reunited in Hilo for the 25th anniversary of the call-up, May 15. Also, 12 soldiers assembled at the Vietnam memorial at the Brigade’s headquarters on Oahu to salute their fallen comrades, May 13.

More than 260 soldiers, loved ones and guests gathered at Hilo’s Wailoa State Park to recall old times, renew friendships with fellow comrades and honor those who died during the 1968 call-up.

Maj. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr., director of the Army National Guard, was the keynote speaker at the reunion. D’Araujo served nine months in Vietnam as commander of a mobile advisory team, and later as an operations advisor. “The role of the National Guard has changed,” said D’Araujo, “and the lessons we learned during the ’68 call-up were applied when the reserve was called up to support Operation Desert Shield and Storm.”

At the reunion, an emotional retired Sgt. Maj. Robert Y.H. Ko, read the names of the 29 soldiers from the Brigade and the Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry(which was assigned to the Brigade’s as its third battalion), who died during the Brigade’s activation.

Earlier in the week, 12 present and former members of the 29th held a quiet ceremony at the Brigade’s Vietnam memorial. Lt. Col. John K Hao and Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Reis placed a floral spray at the base of the memorial. They were joined by Maj. Keith H. Tanouye, Chief Warrant Officers Paul N. Kahunahana and Edgar P. Clark, Master Sgts. Wayne C.K Lewis, George Q.W. Tom, and Steven P. Young, Sgt. 1st Class Clifford D. Duro, Staff Sgt. David M. Ogura, and retirees Chief Warrant Officer Maurice A Souza and Command Sgt. Maj Clement Y.F. Hew.

The Department of Defense called 24,500 National Guards members and Army Reservists to federal active duty for the first time in 28 years, April 11, 1968. Col. Horace S. Hara remembers, ‘We had to drive past picket lines protesting the Vietnam war to get to the Aloha ceremony held at Fort DeRussy before reporting to Schofield Barracks, May 13, 1968.”

More than 4,120 soldiers from the 29th and the 100th Battalion were placed on active duty that day. The soldiers underwent intensive training before serving tours in Vietnam, on the mainland or at Schofield Barracks. The 29th was not sent as a whole to Vietnam. Instead, 1,200 of its members were “levied” to serve as replacements for other units.

D’Araujo, Brigade commander from 1988-1990, and Reis, present Brigade command sergeant major, both concluded their remarks by reminding the audience “not to forget” those who gave their lives serving our country.

– 1993 April – May Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Brigade’s ’68 activation commemorated- honoring those who served when called

The 30th anniversary of one of the Hawaii National Guard’s most historic events is nearly upon us. On May 13, 1968 the 29th Infantry Brigade was called to active duty for eventual service in Vietnam. The HawaiiArmy National Guard unit was one of only four Army National Guard brigades federally activated during the Vietnam contlict. To mark the anniversary, the Hawaii National Guard is planning to hold a ceremony at the 29th Infantry Brigade Headquarters on Sunday, May 17, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. More than 4,000 soldiers were activated and more than 1,100 went on to perform duty in South east Asia. Twenty-nine members of the Brigade and the Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion died by the time the unit was returned to state control in December 1969. One of those who made the ultimate sacrifice was 1st Lt. John Kauhaihao. His story of bravery is told on page 3 of this issue. It is only fitting that we honor those such as Kauhaihao, and all of the other soldiers, who fulfilled their commitment to serve their country when they were called.

– 1998 February – March Pūpūkahi pp. 2

30th anniversary of ’68 activation remembered

Lieutenant K’s Vietnam heroics recalled

By Sgt. 1st Class Aaron R. Pollick
Historical Section

Lieutenant K. That’s what his men called him in Vietnam. They couldn’t pronounce his name so they nicknamed him ”Lieutenant K.”

First Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao, born and raised on the Kona coast of the Big Island, did what most local boys would do, went to school, made a living, raised a family and like most loved to fish. A devoted husband and father of four, John was a person who learned quickly, was athletic and had a great deal of strength and stamina said his family friends.

Hawaii Army National Guard Officer Candidate School, Class 06-68 classmates thought of him as fair, enthusiastic and cooperative. He was a man who was always willing to help someone else. Kauhaihao, a member of the Hawaii Guard’s Company C, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry out of Honokaa, was commissioned just two months after the call-up on May 13, 1968. Just a little over a year later, John was reassigned with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, of the 1st Cavalry Division.

“The Mission”

Lieutenant K’s story of heroism began Sept. 5, 1969. Kauhaihao was briefed by his OCS classmate 2nd Lt. Zenon K. Wong prior to his a reconnaissance patrol near Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. He was advised that there were unknown numbers of enemy bunkers hidden in his sector of patrol. His mission: to seek and destroy the bunkers. He was willing and ready.

Kauhaihao preferred hand grenades to rifle fighting and favored fragmentation grenades. At least 30 were fixed on and over his gear and clothing, so many that it looked like armor.

Lieutenant K’s search for the enemy bunkers was relatively short. He and 25 men from his platoon found a strand of blue communication wire in the scrub brush. They carefully traced the wire to its source. Then the battle began.

Fire erupted savagely from a bunker complex on the platoon’s flank. It was instantly clear that the Gls wereout numbered and they could only drop for cover. Kauhaihao’s cover was a mound of dirt. He knew his platoon was caught in a crossfire put down by a large North Vietnam force in thick jungle terrain. Recognizing his unit’s precarious position, he hacked an opening through the bamboo growing over the dirt mound and began a one-man war. In the next 15 minutes he threw 30 hand grenades. When his own supply dwindled, his men tossed theirs up to him. The lieutenant kept grabbing and tossing. Minute after minute until the battleground was littered with enemy dead, he drew fire upon himself again and again so that his men could sight the enemy gunners and bring them under suppressive fire. Kauhaihao then directed the withdrawal of his men and crawled more than 100 meters over fire-swept terrain to drag vital equipment to the rear and help wounded soldiers to a position of safety.

Later, as he and his men moved to rejoin the company’s main force, Kauhaihao sighted an enemy squad moving toward his platoon. He advanced toward them, opened fire, and was mortally wounded by their fire. It was said that after the battle a newspaperman heard of John K. Kauhaihao and wanted to do a story on him. The men eyed the newsman curiously. “Oh, you mean Lieutenant K. Listen man, you know, he saved our lives out there. Just say he was the greatest; that’s all, the greatest.”

Recognition

For his extraordinary heroism, Kauhaihao was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the highest award for valor to be given to anyone called up with the 29th Infantry Brigade.

Mrs. Shirley Kauhaihao and her four children also received a Bronze Star medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism, earned by her husband in an earlier engagement, as well as the Air Medal, Purple Heart and seven other awards.

Editor’s notes: Story based on materials gathered from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Hawaii Army National Guard records and the Hawaii Guardsman (Guard’s historical publication from 1950 to 1973, prior to the pupukahi).

29th Brigade ’68 call-up commemoration successful

My thanks go to those who helped make the 30th anniversary of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade’s Vietnam call-up a success. The ceremony was a very touching event for the veterans in attendance. We have an obligation to remember the accomplishments of the dedicated individuals who came before us. First-class events such as the one held at the Brigade headquarters, May 17, go a long way towards honoring our deserving veterans and help perpetuate our federal Hawaii National Guard legacy

– 1998 April – August Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Brigade Commemorates ’68 call-up

By 2nd Lt. Jonathan M. Shiroma

Thirty years may have gone by, but the memories of May 13, 1968 are still very clear for the soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Separate Infantry Brigade.

On that date, more than 4,000 Hawaii Army Guard soldiers were activated into federal duty and thrown into one of the most controversial wars the United States has ever been involved with Vietnam.

More than 1,100 would eventually deploy to Southeast Asia and 29 soldiers would lose their lives while serving their country.

“We must never forget those who fought so bravely and ultimately gave their lives for their country,” said Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, commander in chief of the Hawaii National Guard, during the 30th commemoration of the activation ceremony held at the brigade’s headquarters. The governor thanked all those who had come to honor the Guard’s fallen heroes, especially the families of soldiers like 1st Lt. John K. Kauhaihao, who died saving his platoon and Spc. 6 Thomas T. Horio, who was a prisoner of war.

The governor also tied on a mobilization streamer to the 29th Brigade’s colors, in recognition of the ’68 call-up.

In his welcoming remarks, Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general and Vietnam veteran, reflected on the mood and events of the days leading up to the activation. “We are here to give a real welcome home to you, the soldiers, who served gallantly and brought distinction to their units, community and family,” said Richardson.

The Hawaii Guard soldiers received the first notified of their activation by local morning radio show personality Hal ‘J. Akulhead Pupule’ Lewis, said Richardson, an F-102 Delta Dagger pilot who flew escort missions for bombers in Vietnam. “The day after Christmas 1968, I took a flight for Vietnam … along with six brigade soldiers … also on to assignments in Southeast Asia. They were part of the silent majority-those who answered the call when their country needed them.”

Twenty-nine M-16 rifles, planted in the ground with battle helmets fixed on top, lined the sidewalk leading up 1D the headquarters, a symbol of the soldiers who died during the Vietnam activation.

“It still hurts, to remember my friends who died in those killing fields,” said one Vietnam vet who did not want to be identified. “I lost two of my very best friends because of the war, yet, I’m proud to say they gave their all despite how unpopular the war was back home.”

“It really woke me up,” said ChiefW arrant Officer Paul N. Kahunahana about the activation. “There was so much opposition, but we were called to do our job and that’s what we did. It made us realize that we had to depend on each other to make it through,” he said. Kahunahana works full-time with the Hawaii Army Guard’s vehicle and equipment maintenance shop.

“I remember that day so well,” said retired Brig. Gen. Frederick A Schaefer III, who served as the commander of the brigade during the activation. “We were all at Fort DeRussy’s Kuroda Field … there was a whole lot of leis, loved ones … a lot of Aloha.”

But Schaefer pointed out, the grim reality was some of the soldiers would be off to war, in the midst of public protests and demonstrations.

“There was a lot of tension in the air,” said Schaefer, “but through it all, I believe our Hawaii soldiers, for the most part, served their country well and gave their all for the cause.”

Now, in 1998, Schaefer says, the Hawaii Guard’s Vietnam activation should serve as a reminder to the next generation of soldiers.

“Being ready is the key to all the training you receive during drill status because you never know when a potential hot spot will erupt and an activation ordered,” said Schaefer

– 1998 April – August Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Guard remembers Vietnam call-up

Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Separate Infantry Brigade soldiers took time from their busy pre-annual training schedule to salute their fallen comrades. I’m glad we held the event. The 30th commemoration gave us an opportunity for soldiers, past and present, young and old, and families and friends to keep alive the memory of those who gave their lives in service to our country

– 1998 April – August Pūpūkahi pp. 6

Former Guardsman shares his Vietnam P.O.W. story

Compiled by Sgt. 1st Class Aaron R. Pollick

HIARNG Historian Section

Serving your country sometimes comes with a big price tag. For one member of the activated Hawaii Army National Guard, the price would be serving a nearly four-year tour of duty in the “Hanoi Hilton.”

Little did the Hawaii-born Thomas T. Horio know what the future would bring. The McKinley High School graduate enlisted in the Hawaii Guard in 1967. The Nuuanu raised soldier went on to attend Universities of New Mexico and Hawaii.

Carries on Guard legacy

Like his father, he joined the Hawaii Guard to serve his country. His father was a member of the Guard’s 299th Infantry Regiment of Maui and later, like most of the JapaneseAmericans, a member of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion during World War II. Horio, a member of the 227th Engineer Company, was activated along with 3,600 other 29th Infantry Brigade soldiers, May 13, 1968.

Imprisonment recalled

Shortly after arriving in Southeast Asia, Horio’s firebase guard post was overrun by the Viet Cong, and he was captured.

Instead of torturing us, the North Vietnamese forced us to read communist literature. We read it; it was the history about Cambodia when the French occupied FrenchIndochina and about Ho Chi Minh. For some reason, they left us alone after that.

At night, they would clamp our ankles in socks to prevent us from escaping. We were not allowed to exercise because the North Vietnamese wanted to keep us docile so we wouldn’t try to escape. But we maintained our sanity and kept the faith by exercising when the guards couldn’t see us. The only other thing we could do was pace and talk to each other. Our optimistic conversations always included discussions about what we were going to do when we got home.

We never lost faith. Our hopes for release hung on the success of the Paris peace talks that began on Jan. 18, 1969. The talks were still under way when Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s president for more than 30 years, died on Sept. 2, 1969.

Not long after Ho Chi Minh died, and after about five months in POW camps in Cambodia and Laos, we started on a month-and-a-half 350-mile trip to Hanoi,

One prisoner died, or was killed, enroute because he was too sick and frail to endure the journey.

The guy weighed about 200 pounds when he was captured; he got so skinny, you could pick him up with one arm. On the way to Hanoi, a guard escorted him down a trail, and we never saw him again. We think they killed him.

I fell ill during the journey, too, but luck was with me again. I contracted malaria and spent about a month in a North Vietnamese field hospital.

They made us carry all the food, and one day, I just passed out. All I remember was falling. The enemy soldiers showed compassion for me the rest of the way to Hanoi. I got to ride part of the way, and I arrived on Christmas eve 1969.

I joined the others in Hanoi at what American POWs dubbed “The Plantation”, about two miles from the infamous Hanoi Hilton. The Plantation was my home until I was moved to the Hanoi Hilton about seven months before being released in March 1973 during Operation HOMECOMING.

They stuck me in a room with six other enlisted guys. I had no idea of how many Americans were incarcerated in the camp. All I knew was the enlisted and officer prisoners were separated, and the officers were mostly pilots.

Camp food wasn’t very nourishing, bland, meatless, watery soup and a piece of bread twice a day. Summer brought a flavor change-pumpkin soup in the morning and pumpkin soup at night. There wasn’t any lunch. We prisoners got another flavor change at the end of summer – pumpkin soup with maggots.

On Christmas and the Vietnam Tet holidays, the communist captors were magnanimous. They treated us American captives to a half bottle of Vietnamese beer, candy and fruit. I traded my candy and fruit and got everybody’s beer, except for one guy, it was great!

Christmas 1972 was a hairraising, scary time for us. American bombs started falling and exploding around Hanoi. The North Vietnamese told us to dig foxholes through three-quarter-inch concrete floors in our cells.

We spent about a week-and-a-half trying to cut through the concrete with entrenching tools; they didn’t give us any picks or sledge hammers.

We went down about seven feet. We could hear the missiles all around us. Once we saw a B-52 U.S. bomber go down in flames. We were right in the city where the bombs were exploding, but none of them hit the POW camp area. I think they knew where we were.

Other than the bombings, the scariest time in my area was when a prisoner had frequent seizures. There wasn’t anything we could do. The doctor would come, but only gave him aspirin

A big morale boost came when the prisoners managed to steal enough metal wire and used it to fashion a crude communications system throughout the POW garrison. The garrisons were built by the French in rows like townhouses. The mortar in between the bricks were soft, so it wasn’t too hard to make holes through to the next room.

Every time we got information from Col. Guy (Air Force Col. Theodore W., the camp’s senior American prisoner and an F-4C pilot shot down in 1968), we’d relay it from room to room through the holes in the wall. We hid behind mosquito nets over our bunks when the guards came by at night.

The enlisted prisoners were given the task of emptying slop buckets for themselves and the officers. They learned to use the distasteful job to their benefit.

Col. Guyused toilet paper to put messages in the top of the lids, which gave us another way to communicate. I thought to myself, this can’t be true; this is like Hogan’s Heroes (the television comedy show about WWII POWs in Germany).

Meanwhile, the North Vietnamese were hell-bent on making the prisoners protest the war. They wanted us to write letters of protest to our congressmen and other dignitaries. They even offered to establish communications with our families if we protested the war. “We had to keep pretty tight to encourage each other not to fall for those kinds of things,” he said.

About five months before our release, the officer and enlisted prisoners were allowed to mingle and have recreation time together. Until then, we were only allowed to mingle with prisoners in our own rooms. One of the officers was a doctor who was shot down on a medical evacuation mission. He talked to the guys about their problems, but he didn’t have any medication.

The North Vietnamese anticipated the war would end and started feeding us more and gave us new clothes and shoes. They also let prisoners mingle and do recreation and exercise, but they guessed wrong. The peace pact wouldn’t be signed until Jan. 27, 1973. The four-year ordeal melted more than 40 pounds off of me. When I was captured, I weighed 190 pounds and had a 34-inch waist. It shrunk to less than 27 inches.

POW released

After our release, we spent three days being examined and debriefed at a hospital in the Philippines. I was then transferred to Tripler Army Medical Center.

When my escort officer in the Philippines asked me what was the one thing I wanted to eat, I said, ”beer and vanilla ice cream.”

”I chased the beer down with raw fish and clams,” with a chuckle. My escort officer attended my wedding when I married the former Phoebe Inabe of Maui, in 1974, and the first thing he did was give me a bowl of ice cream.

Returning to normalcy

Thomas wasted no time using his GI Bill benefits to finish his education. Discharged from the Army in April 1973, he returned to the University of Hawaii for summer school that June. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology in 1976 and worked at Tripler Army Medical Center from September 1977 to January 1980. He accepted a job with the Internal Revenue Service and went to the mainland five years later.

A branch chief in the IRS’ Delaware/Maryland collection division in Landover, Md., Thomas quipped, “Now I’m licensed to take blood and money.”

The couple has two sons. Brant, 19, is a freshman at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va. Ross, 17, is a junior at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Va.

Vietnam flashbacks

After attending a couple of POW reunions, Thomas decided to keep a low profile. “I try to forget some of the things that happened to me,” he said. “So I don’t go to many functions any more. The only one I keep in contact with is Nat Henry, the guy who had seizures in the camp. He lives in North Carolina. He was one of the five guys left after his unit was ambushed.”

Thomas’ luck is still holding. “I don’t have malaria relapses anymore. When I returned, they had developed a cure for the type of malaria I had.”

He said he also feels lucky because he doesn’t suffer flashbacks or any other severe, belated reactions to his captivity. “I attribute a lot of my mental survival to being a Buddhist,” he said. “Buddhism taught me to have peace of mind within myself. That, in combination with exercise, kept me going. I also have a personality where I don’t react emotionally to a lot of things. I’m more conservative.” If there was one word that helped, it would be ”faith, we never lost faith.”

Reference: Thomas T. Horio, American Forces Press Service by: Rudi Williams, Hawaii Army National Guard historical files, news articles and The Honolulu Advertiser.

– 1998 Winter Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Dog Tags Returned – Honoring a Vietnam Veteran

HI-DOD Staff – with Excerpts from Spc. Paul Berzines – 117th MPAD

It started with a phone call in December of 2017 to the State of Hawaii, Department of Defense’s public affairs office. Maj. Jeff Hickman, deputy public affairs officer, answered the phone that day.

“We get all kinds of calls to this office,” Hickman said. “UFOs, public defender inquiries, conspiracy theories, employment verification and noise complaints are just a sample of the diversity of subject matters asked about. I thought this was one of those calls.”

It wasn’t.

The caller asked if there was a lost and found and Hickman said, “Sure,” and asked what was the object that he was looking for.

“My dog tags,” the caller replied casually.

“Dog tags? Okay…when did you lose them,” Hickman asked.

“1969,” was the matter-of-fact response.

“I asked him if he was in the 1968 29th Infantry Brigade’s Vietnam “Call-Up,” He was.”

(Specialist) Tom Peterson was in the U.S. Army Reserves then transferred to the Hawaii Army National Guard for a couple of years prior to the 29th’s ’68 mobilization in support of the Vietnam War. He is a Saint Louis high school and Chaminade University graduate who grew up in Hawaii. Peterson drilled out of the Molokai armory and was a member of Troop E, 19th Cavalry, 29th Brigade. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division when he was in Vietnam.

“Tom said that he was going to be in Hawaii for a couple of months,” Hickman said. “So I offered to produce him a new set of dog tags with his Vietnam-era information on them and then present them to him with a HIARNG VIP or two. I thought that was the least we could do since he missed last year’s commemoration during the week leading up to Memorial Day.”

The Hawaii National Guard honored Vietnam-Era veterans in a pair of ceremonies held at the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Readiness Center on May 25, 2017. The ceremonies, which focused on honoring Hawaii’s VietnamEra veterans, included remarks from speakers associated with the 29th Brigade during the Vietnam War. The first ceremony of the day took place in front of the Readiness Center, between the Pohaku, or sacred stones, bearing the names of the 29 members of the 29th Brigade who gave their lives in service to their country.

“As for the members of the 29th who were deployed during the Vietnam War, their performance was outstanding,” said Col. Moses Kaoiwi, Jr, 29th Infantry Brigade Commander at the time of the ceremony. “This is why it was particularly important to honor the Hawaii Guard’s Vietnam-Era veterans with these ceremonies. What we really wanted to do, as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Hawaii’s involvement in the Vietnam War, was to recognize the veterans that served during that time. Not a lot of people know about the 29th Brigade’s contributions to the Vietnam War.”

The 29th Brigade was called to fight in the Vietnam War on May 13, 1968, mobilizing approximately 4,000 personnel. Eleven hundred Hawaii Guard Soldiers went on to serve in Vietnam. While most people didn’t think the National Guard served in Vietnam, the 29th Brigade did.

According to Kaoiwi, “The importance of holding ceremonies like these cannot be overstated. We have to remember our history, we have to honor those who sacrificed themselves.”

That is where the story really begins. Hickman remained in contact with Peterson, who now lives in Oregon, to get all the information and also to coordinate the hand off of the “lost and found” items. The 103rd Troop Command assisted in the production of two new sets of Vietnam-era dog tags and the 29th IBCT leadership was on board for the presentation and tour of the Readiness Center.

Peterson was going to be in Hawaii from January to early March, so finding a date to present the dog tags was going to be easy. Then the January 13th false missile alert happened and the initial date agreed upon had to be postponed, but that wasn’t a bad thing. With that extra time to prepare, word started to spread throughout the Hawaii National Guard about the upcoming dog tag presentation.

It was because of HING leadership, the event grew in scope and importance.

Tom Peterson thought he was just going to pick up the new dog tags and get a tour of the new 29th IBCT Readiness Center, but as he pulled up to parking lot, he saw a large gathering of troops.

“Maj. Hickman, is that for me?” Peterson asked as he got out of his rental car with his wife and another couple.

No was the initial answer, to ease his reluctance, but then Hickman shook his head, “Yes, it is.”

Col. Roy Macaraeg, 29th IBCT Commander, coordinated with Hickman ahead of time to have all 29th IBCT full time employees, numbering around 50, to form up and honor one of their own. The presentation was to take place in front of the memorial pohaku, fronting the Readiness Center.

The original plan was to present the dog tags and also give Tom Peterson a commemorative pin from the HING’s 2017 Vietnam event, which includes a certificate signed by the Adjutant General. Peterson wasn’t aware about that ceremony, so this was a great time to make up for it.

“Here he is, a Vietnam veteran, from ‘our’ 29th Brigade,” Hickman explains. “He missed our commemoration, hasn’t been a part of the Brigade for over 49 years, and he called us to ask if we had his dog tags. This was our opportunity to do something special for him.”

Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara, HIARNG Commander, Col. Macaraeg, Lt. Col. Stanley Garcia, 103rd Troop Command Executive Officer (and 103rd TC staff), and Sgt. Maj. Bret Moore, 29th IBCT Operations Sgt. Maj. (and Brigade full timers) all played major roles in the dog tag presentation success.

As Peterson made the walk from parking lot to pohaku, the formation was called to attention. After a brief introduction, Peterson was given two sets of dog tags. One set was for him and a second was given to his wife, in case he lost his new pair. (An audible laugh rumbled from the formation.) The chains for the Tom Peterson pair belonged to a 29th IBCT member who took it off his neck, minutes before Peterson arrived. When told that the chains belonged to a current Brigade Soldier and that they were with him when he was deployed to Afghanistan, the veteran chains, connecting the new dog tags to a Vietnam Veteran had exponentially become more valuable to Peterson.

“So this chain has gone through a different war,” Peterson said. “I will treasure them for the rest of my life.”

Along with the two sets of dog tags, the pin from the 2017 Commemoration with TAG “Mahalo”, Peterson was also presented with two 29th IBCT patches. One OCP pattern patch and one color version from the old Class A uniform. Finally, he was given a commander’s coin from Col. Macaraeg.

The usually shy Peterson then shared his story with the formation. His wife was amazed that he would stand in front of a formation and speak at all. He discussed the day of his mobilization, his old unit, and what it was like when he returned from war.

“I’ve never had anybody welcome me home,” Peterson said. “No one greeted me when I got back, this was the first greeting that I have gotten.”

Those words resonated with all of the Soldiers who were present and there were some tears in the ranks. They knew, at that exact moment, that they were a part of something special.

Something that meant more for the man in front of them, than they could’ve anticipated. It went from being a “nice ceremony” to be a part of, to “I was lucky to be there and honored to welcome back a 29th Brigade Vietnam veteran.”

Peterson then viewed the 29 names of Soldiers from the 29th who never made it home on the memorial pohaku. He found someone that he knew, he was in Peterson’s unit in the Brigade. He also viewed the second pohaku that lists the names of those heroes who have fallen since the Brigade’s mobilization in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The day ended with a two-hour tour of the Readiness Center and some “talk story” sessions with the Petersons and his friends. Peterson thoroughly enjoyed all the historical displays and promised Col. Macaraeg and Sgt. Maj. Moore that he would send them an autographed copy of his book. The Colonel said that the book would proudly be added to their display.

So with answering one phone call, the Hawaii Army National Guard was able to right a wrong and present one of their own with something that he will treasure for the rest of his life. Dog tags may be just one of the physical items Tom Peterson takes home to Corvallis, Oregon, but the warm Aloha shared with him from the 29th IBCT will also be on that chain close to his heart.

“It was great to finally be honored in such a way that made me feel really important,” said Tom Peterson

– 2018 Spring Pupukahi pp. 1-2 & 13

Newspaper Articles and Photos 

Honoring the Men of the 29th Infantry Brigade who Lost Their Lives