Major General Fred W. Makinney
Maj. Gen. Fred Makinney a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy was appointed to West Point in 1916 by Delegate Kuhio Kalanianaole. Makinney was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army in November 1918 and served in all commissioned grades from 2nd Lieutenant to Colonel. Born in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi on 23 August 1899, Makinney received his education at Punahou.
Makinney entered West Point, but because of the need of officers, during the World War I, he graduated in 1918 receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. He then served in World War I. In 1919, after a tour of battlefields in France, Belgium and Italy, he attended Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kans. He then enjoyed stints Arkansas, Schofield Barracks, New York, Kentucky and more.
In World War II he served as G4 6th Armed Division, Deputy Director, the Armored School, Ft Knox, and Chief of Staff, the Armored Center, Ft Knox, Ky. Makinney retired from the regular Army as a Colonel in January 1946.
On 4 August 1946 Makinney was appointed the Adjutant General of the Territory of Hawaiʻi and received federal recognition as Brigadier General in April 1951. He was promoted to Major General on 15 September 1953.
Upon assuming command of the Hawaiʻi National Guard in 1946, Makinney utilized his wide experience and personal acquaintanceship with military leaders in Hawaiʻi to organize and build the post World War II Hawaiʻi National Guard.
Under his leadership and the high standards set by him, the Hawaiʻi National Guard, both Army and Air, gained nation wide recognition as one of the best National Guard organizations in the nation. This achievement by the Hawaiʻi National Guard under Makinney’s leadership was responsible for the major role given to the Hawaiʻi National Guard in the defense of the Hawaiian Islands today.
He is married to the former Violet Lucas and has two sons – Fred, a Honolulu businessman, and Robert, a Captain in the Air Force.
He wears the Commendation Ribbon with Cluster and numerous service medals for participation in both World Wars.
Last updated May 2025
Photos of Major General Fred W. Makinney
SEATED – Left to Right: Lt Col Harauld D. Langham, Lt Col John B. Parrott, Col John A. Gavin, Lt Col Lehman H. Johnson Jr., Lt Col James R. Reed Jr.
STANDING – Left to Right: Capt Arthur J. Brzoska, Capt James McKee Jr., Maj Walter A. Krakauskas, Maj Thomas A. Larson, Maj Royce L. Lain, Maj Alexander Pouska Jr., M…ufus E. Hunt, Maj Cecil J. Corlett, Maj. Richard H. Weightman, . . . th A. Riddler Jr., CWO Dolby M. Nottingham
Reviewing Stand – Lihue, Kauai
Governor Meyner, New jersey, and Maj Gen James Cantwell, Chief of Staff, New Jersey National Guard, arrives in Hawaii.
(USA Ret.) Brig Gen John Keliher, Col John Campbell (HARNG), Mr. W.S. Curtin, Mrs. Curtin (Congressman, Pennsylvania), Mai Gen F.W. Makinney
Glen Valley Road, Morrisville PA
A governor’s day reception given by Maj Gen & MRS Fred W. Makinney at the Schofield Barracks, T.H. Officer’s Open Mess was attended by (L to R) Col. & Mrs. R.L Stevenson; Gov. & Mrs. Samuel W. King; Col. Jack Conley.
Gen Makinney is Adjutant Gen of Hawaii Col Stevenson is the chief of staff, Hawaii National Guard & Col Conley is the administrative assistant to Gov. King.
PFC Paul Moloney 25th Signal Company
199th Fighter Interceptor Sqdn, Hawaii Air National Guard
OLD TIMERS – Personnel stationed at Fort Knox between 1938 – 1941. Taken at 71st US Armor Association Meeting at Goer Demonstration, Tobacco Leaf Lake, 29 April 1960, Left to right, first row Major General Louis V. Hightower; General Bruce C. Clarke; Lt General George W. Raad; Major General W. Paul Johnson. Left to right, 2nd row: Brigadier General Creighton Abrams: General I. D. White; Colonel H. H. D. Heiberg; Major General F. A. Makinney (AG of Hawaii). Left to right, 3rd row: Colonel Nedding F. Perry; Major General R. T. Curtis; Lt General Geoffrey Keyes; Lt Colonel L. M. Keily; Colonel Ralph E. Haines, Jr. Left to right, 4th row: Colonel F. P. Field; unidentified officer; Lt Colonel J. A. Dix; Lt Colonel E. M. Majors; Colonel L. E. Pope. Left to right, last row: Unidentified officer; Major James Leach; Lt Colonel H. E. Miner; unidentified officer; Major Orlaudo Ruggiero.
29 April 1960
Photo by Sp-5 Clarence J. McMaster USAARMC Photo Division
General I. D. White, Commander in Chief U. S. Army Pacific Address Members of the National Guard Association During the 82nd General Conference, which is being held at the Kaiser Dome, Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii
10 October 1960
Photo by MSGT Al Chang U.S. Army Fort Shafter, Hawaii
Aug. 4, 1946 – Dec. 2, 1962
MAJ GEN F. W. MAKINNEY
1899-1975
MajGen Makinney, born and raised in Honolulu, attended Punahou Academy, Columbian Preparatory School, Washington D.C. and U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. He served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1918 to 1946. Upon retiring from the Active Army. MajGen Makinney served as Hawaii’s State Adjutant General from Aug. 4, 1946 until Dec. 2, 1962.
The Adjutant General
Adjutant General of Hawaii
