1940-1941 Federal Service
Federal Service
During the early part of August, it was rumored that all National Guard units would be ordered into federal service for a twelve months’ period of active duty. By the first of September specific instructions covering this subject were received by The Adjutant General of Hawaii. Those officers below the rank of Captain and enlisted personnel with dependents were permitted to resign or be discharged from the service. Rules for rigid physical examinations were issued by the National Guard Bureau, and detailed instructions were received for induction into federal service.
In compliance with Executive Order No. 8551, dated September 25, 1940, the 298th and 299th Infantries, under the command of Colonels W. A. Andersen and Gordon C. Ross, respectively, were ordered into federal service for a period of 12 months, effective October 15, 1940, by the following General Orders No. 51 of this headquarters, dated 8 October 1940:
MILITARY DEPARTMENT
Territory of Hawaii
OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
Honolulu, T. H.
8 October 1940.
GENERAL ORDERS
NO. 54
SUBJECT: ORDERING HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD INTO MILITARY SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES.
1. The following Executive Order* issued by the President of the United States is published for the information and guidance of all concerned:
“EXECUTIVE ORDER ORDERING CERTAIN UNITS AND MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES INTO THE ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES.
“By virtue of the authority conferred upon me by Public Resolution No. 96, 76th Congress, approved August 27, 1940, and the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916, as amended (39 Stat. 166), and as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, I hereby order into active military service of the United States, effective October 15, 1940, the following units and members of the National Guard of the United States for a period of twelve consecutive months, unless sooner relieved:
UNITS
All Federally recognized elements of:
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298th Infantry
299th Infantry
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MEMBERS
“All members, both active and inactive, of the units listed above.
“All persons so ordered into the active military service of the United States are, from the effective date of this order, relieved from duty in the National Guard of their respective states so long as they shall remain in the active military service of the United States, and during such time shall be subject to such laws and regulations for the government of the Army of the United States as may be applicable to members of the Army whose permanent retention in the active military service is not contemplated by law.
“Commissioned officers and warrant officers appointed in the National Guard of the United States and commissioned or holding warrants in the Army of the United States, and affected by this order, are hereby ordered to active duty under such appointments and commissions or warrants.
“All officers and warrant officers of the National Guard, appointed in the National Guard, who shall have been Federally recognized or examined and found qualified for Federal recognition, and shall have been assigned to units ordered to active duty under this order prior to the effective date thereof, who do not hold appointments in the National Guard of the United States in the same grade and arm or service in which they respectively have been most recently Federally recognized or have been most recently examined and found qualified for Federal recognition, are hereby tendered appointments in the National Guard of the United States in the same grade and arm or service in which they shall have been most recently Federally recognized or examined and found qualified for Federal recognition.
“Warrant officers and enlisted men of the National Guard of the United States who hold appointments as officers in the National Guard of the United States and commissions in the Army of the United States, and are assigned to units ordered to active duty under this order prior to the effective date hereof, are hereby ordered to active military service as commissioned officers of the Army of the United States under those appointments and commissions.
The White House,
September 25, 1940.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT”
2. All unit commanders throughout the Hawaii National Guard having inactive commissioned or enlisted personnel assigned to their commands will immediately notify such personnel, either in person or by registered mail, to report for active duty with the unit to which assigned, on October 15, 1940, or show cause for discharge.
3. All units required to render a monthly report of National Guard Duty performed (NGB Form 100), will prepare and submit a final report as of midnight October 14, 1940. A final Armory Drill Pay Roll will also be prepared by each unit involved and submitted as of the above date.
4. The provisions of existing regulations relative to mobilization will be complied with. The attention of all unit commanders is directed to the requirements of AR 130-10 and Induction Circular No. 1, NGB, dated September 5, 1940, which will be strictly adhered to.
5. All Federal property in the hands of units will be taken into Federal Service on the induction date. State property at each station will be properly prepared to protect it against disuse and stored in a safe dry place in the armory in which it is being used. Unless advised to the contrary each unit or organization commander in charge of an armory which is owned by the Territory of Hawaii, will upon the date of departure from his station, close the armory in question and see that it is securely locked. Keys will be delivered to custodians designated by this Headquarters, and if none so designated, keys will be delivered, or mailed to this Headquarters.
By Order of the Governor:
P. M. SMOOT
The Adjutant General
–1940-1941 Annual Report pp.13
SECTION I
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE
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