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Major General Fred W. Makinney

January 27, 2025
Categories: 
HING History, People
  • Maj Gen Fred W. Makinney
  • courtesy of Maj. Gen. Fred Makinney Ohana
  • FORMER AG's-Two former adjutants general of Hawaii, retired Major General Frederick W. Makinney, left, and retired Major General Robert l. Stevenson, right, flank the present adjutant general, Major General Benjamin J. Webster, left center, and Congressman Spark M. Matsunaga, at the 18th General Conference of the Hawaii National Guard Association banquet.
  • 25D-791-1/GP-56 22 JUNE 1956 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
  • 25D-742-1/GP-56 11 June 1956 Shown Sitting at the dinner Table at Army Hawaii National Guard Encampment Headquarters in Area X, Schofield Barracks, T. H., are: Major General Fred W. Makinney (Left), Adjutant General, Territory of Hawaii and Major General Herbert B. Powell (Right), Commanding General USARPAC. Serving them Coffee is Jerry Young of Honolulu, T. H. SP-1 Henry C. T. Chang 25th Signal Company, Schofield Barracks Territory of Hawaii
  • We776-2780/GP61 Schofield Barracks L to R: Maj Gen J L Richardson, CO 25th Inf Div; Hawaiiʻs Lt Governor James Kealoha and Maj Gen Fred W Makinney, Hq HARNG inspects a Nike Hercules Missle Prior to the first Hawaii Firing at Dillingham AFB. The firing was done by members of the Hawaii Army National Guard , Btry C, 2nd Msl Bn, 298th Arty Gp (Air Defense) during the first annual Service Practice. 8 November 1961 Photo by SFC Ronald Shook 125th Signal Battalion (Inf Div) APO 25
  • by Major General F. W. Makinney (Ret) Former Adjutant General, State of Hawaii 1946-1962
  • Major General F. W. Makinney Adjutant General of Hawaii
  • Maj. Gen. F. W. Makinney Aug. 4, 1946 - Dec. 2, 1962
  • IN MEMORIAM 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.
  • BRIGADIER GENERAL F. W. MAKINNEY The Adjutant General
  • Maj Gen F. W. Makinney, T.H. Adjutant General presents best unit award to 1st Lt A. Thoene, commanding company "B", 277th Engr Bn.
  • Nation's Champion Recruiter, M/Sg t Joseph Camacho, is Welcomed Home from Washington, D. C. by General Makinney
  • Governor William F. Quinn pulled cord which dropped parachute covering corner plaque. Left is Group commander Lt Col Robert Maguire. At right is General Makinney.
  • Captain Marvin Ferreira, Commanding Officer of "C" Battery, 1st Missile Battalion, 298th Artillery, receives the Governor' s Trophy from Maj Gen f. W. Makinney for achieving the highest score (95.8) during the 1961 Annual Service Practice held here in November. (See story on page 18.)

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 Aug. 23, 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 Aug. 4, 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 Sept. 15, 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

Upon recommendation of the Governor of Hawaii to the President of the United States, Colonel F. W. Makinney, USA, Ret’d had been recommended for the position as Adjutant General, Territory of Hawaii to relieve Colonel Perry M. Smoot upon expiration of his term on August 8, 1946. Colonel Smoot had held this post for the past twentyfour years. The appointment of Colonel Makinney waa approved by the President and so published in War Department Orders by Paragraph 7, Special Order 146, dated 2 July 1946.

– 1946-1947 Annual Report pp. 4

Maj. Gen. Fred W. Makinney Retires

Maj Gen Fred W. Makinney
Maj Gen Fred W. Makinney
(Pictures from the 1962 December The Hawaii Guardsman)

At honor guard ceremonies held at Fort Ruger on the evening of 3 December, Major General Fred W. Makinney, Adjutant General for the past 16 years, officially retired after more than 43 years of military service.

During the ceremonies, General Makinney was awarded the Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit “for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service” during his term of office.

Makinney, 63, is one of the few officers of Hawaiian ancestry to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1918.

Makinney retired from the Regular Army as a colonel in January 1946 and was appointed Adjutant General in August of the same year. He reorganized the post-World War II HNG in 1946.

The island-born General and Mrs. Makinney, the former Violet Lucas, reside in Pueo Street.

– 1962 December The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 14
IN MEMORIAM 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.
IN MEMORIAM
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.
(Picture from the 1976 January Pūpūkahi)

Hawaii’s AG Past to Present

Maj. Gen. F. W. Makinney Aug. 4, 1946 - Dec. 2, 1962
Maj. Gen. F. W. Makinney
Aug. 4, 1946 – Dec. 2, 1962
(Picture from the 1982 Summer Pūpūkahi)

From August 1946 through December 1962, the Hawaii National Guard (divided into the Army and Air in 1946) was under the command of Maj. Gen. Fred W. Makinney, appointed by Gov. Stainback and approved by President Truman.

Makinney, the HNG’s first kamaʻāina adjutant general, was born in Honolulu on Aug. 23, 1899. He attended Punahou and then the U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point. He went into the Regular Army and saw duty in World War II in the 6th Armored Division. He returned to Hawaii a colonel in early 1946.

After his appointment as Hawaii’s adjutant general, Makinney remained a colonel until 1951 and obtained his first star. The second came along in 1953. Also in 1953, Makinney took on the additional duty of director of state civil defense, a role his successors have also assumed.

Makinney orchestrated many changes in the Guard, including the introduction of the jet age into the Hawaii Air Guard and the division’s assumption of its air-defense mission.

Makinney also oversaw the Army Guard’s move into the rocket business in the late 1950s and early ’60s.

When he took over in 1946, there were only 1,300 men in the Hawaii National Guard. When he left 16 years later, strength was up to 4,817 men (no women in the Hawaii Guard until much later).

Makinney served under four territorial and state governors: Stainback, Oren Long, Samuel King, and William Quinn. He passed away several years ago.

– 1982 Summer Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Photos of Major General Fred W. Makinney

January 1958 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
January 1958
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
March 13, 1959 Hawaii Statehood parade Reviewing Stand – Lihue, Kauai
March 13, 1959 Hawaii Statehood parade
Reviewing Stand – Lihue, Kauai
July 1958 Governor Meyner, New jersey, and Maj Gen James Cantwell, Chief of Staff, New Jersey National Guard, arrives in Hawaii.
July 1958
Governor Meyner, New jersey, and Maj Gen James Cantwell, Chief of Staff, New Jersey National Guard, arrives in Hawaii.
NOVEMBER 1958 (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
NOVEMBER 1958
(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
25D-791-1/GP-56 22 JUNE 1956 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
25D-791-1/GP-56 22 JUNE 1956
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
Governor Samuel W. King congratulates B/Gen. Frank Alameda on his promotion June 1957 199th Fighter Interceptor Sqdn, Hawaii Air National Guard
Governor Samuel W. King congratulates B/Gen. Frank Alameda on his promotion June 1957
199th Fighter Interceptor Sqdn, Hawaii Air National Guard
Left to Right: Maj. Gen. J. E. Theimer Mrs. Makinney, Mrs. Theimer, Maj Gen F. W. Makinney
Left to Right: Maj. Gen. J. E. Theimer Mrs. Makinney, Mrs. Theimer, Maj Gen F. W. Makinney
Postmaster Hara inspects vehicles used for xmas delivery Nov. 20, 1959
Postmaster Hara inspects vehicles used for xmas delivery Nov. 20, 1959
3-1038-60 A7-60 Fort Knox, Kentucky 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
3-1038-60 A7-60 Fort Knox, Kentucky
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
95-514-850-5/GP-60 Hawaii 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
95-514-850-5/GP-60 Hawaii
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
courtesy of Maj. Gen. Fred Makinney Ohana
courtesy of Maj. Gen. Fred Makinney Ohana
199th Fighter Interceptor Sadn. Hawaii Air National Guard
199th Fighter Interceptor Sadn. Hawaii Air National Guard
199th Fighter Interceptor Sadn. Hawaii Air National Guard
199th Fighter Interceptor Sadn. Hawaii Air National Guard
199th Fighter Squadron Honolulu T.H.
199th Fighter Squadron Honolulu T.H.
courtesy of Maj. Gen. Fred Makinney Ohana
courtesy of Maj. Gen. Fred Makinney Ohana
(Photos from the Makinney Ohana)