Department of Defense

The 29th Infantry Brigade was activated for the Vietnam War from May 13, 1968, to December 13, 1969. One week after the Brigade reported to Schofield Barracks, the 100th Battalion from the United States Army Reserve, the 227th Military Intelligence Detachment from Arizona, and the 40th Aviation Company from California joined the Brigade. During the mobilization, twenty-nine soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

First Lieutenant John K. Kauhaihao

Company C, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

First Lieutenant John K. Kauhaihao, 27, was born in Honaunau / Capt. Cook, Hawaii, Apr. 17, 1942. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Company C (-), 2^nd Battalion, 299^th Infantry. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade was mobilized May 13, 1968. Kauhaihao was levied to Company B, 2^nd Battalion, 8^th Cavalry, 1^st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, May 22, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, on Sept. 5. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam. 

Kauhaihao awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant First Class Edward L. Loo, Jr.

Company C, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Sergeant First Class Edward L. Loo Jr., 43, from Kamuela / Waipo, Hawaii, was born Sept. 12, 1925. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Company C, 2^nd Battalion, 299^th Infantry as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Loo was levied to Company D, 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Cavalry, 1^st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam Mar. 6, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Apr. 1. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam.

Loo awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant First Class Alfredo Pacolba

Company A, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Sergeant First Class Alfredo Pacolba, 37, of Wailua / Honolulu, Oahu, was born Aug. 8, 1932. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in as an infantryman with Company A, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade was mobilized May 13, 1968. Pacolba was levied to Company B, 4th Battalion, 31^st Infantry, 196^th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 23, 1969 and was killed in action less than five months later, Sept. 11. He died of gun or small arms fire wounds in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam.

Pacolba awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Staff Sergeant Melvin S. Fujita

Headquarters & Headquarters Company. 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve 

Staff Sergeant Melvin S. Fujita, 25, was born in Honolulu, Oahu, Jan. 10, 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Company B, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an indirect fire infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Fujita was levied to Company D, 5^th Battalion, 46^th Infantry, 198^th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Vietnam, Mar. 8, 1969 and was killed in action four months later, Jul. 2. He died of gun or small arms fire in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.

Fujita awards include Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Staff Sergeant Robert K. Spillner

Company C, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Staff Sergeant Robert K. Spillner, 30, was born in Waipahu, Oahu, Apr. 14, 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Company C, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Spillner was levied to Company D, 4^th Battalion, 31^st Infantry, 196^th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Vietnam, Dec. 19, 1968 and was killed in action eight months later, Aug. 18. He died of gun or small arms fire in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam.

Spillner awards include the Combat Infantry badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant Wilfredo B. Andrada

Company B, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Sergeant Wilfredo B. Andrada, 28, was born in Hilo, Hawaii, May 20, 1941. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Company C (-), 2^nd Battalion, 299^th Infantry. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade was mobilized May 13, 1968. Andrada was levied to Company A, 4th Battalion, 3^rd Infantry, 11^th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 25, 1969 and was killed in action less than five months later, Sept. 21. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.

Andrada awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sergeant Gaylord K. DeFries

Company B, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Sergeant Gaylord K. DeFries, 24, from Anahola, Kauai, was born Jul. 12, 1945. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Company B, 1^st Battalion, 299^th Infantry at Kapaa, Kauai. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. DeFries was levied to 3^rd Platoon, Company B, 2^nd Battalion, 12^th Infantry, 25^th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 24, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, Aug. 1. He died of gun or small arms fire in Hau Nghia Province, South Vietnam. He was sergeant at death and was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.

DeFries awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Anthony Bongo

Company A, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Specialist Anthony Bongo, 22, from Waianae/Honolulu, Oahu, was born Feb. 25, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Company A, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Bongo was levied to Company A, 2^nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 24, 1969, and was killed in action less than a month later, May 20. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.

Bongo awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Walter D. Browne

Company C, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist Walter D. Browne, 21, from Haiku, Maui, was born Oct. 10, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in as an infantry operations and intelligence specialist with Company C (-), 1^st Battalion, 299^th Infantry at Kahului, Maui. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Browne was levied to Recon. Platoon, Company E, 2^nd Battalion, 28^th Infantry, 1^st Infantry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 21, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, Aug. 22. He died of other explosive device in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam.

Browne awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Specialist Leonard B. Castillo

Company A, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve 

Specialist Leonard B. Castillo, 21, from Honolulu, Oahu, was born Feb. 24, 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Company A, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Castillo was levied to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 22, 1969 and was killed in action less than a month later, May 14. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.

Castillo awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Larry G. Leopoldino

Company B, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Specialist Larry G. Leopoldino, 22, from Hilo, Hawaii, was born Apr. 18, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Company B, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an indirect fire infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Leopoldino was levied to Recon Platoon, Company E, 3^rd Battalion, 506^th Infantry, 101^st Airborne Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 26, 1969 and was killed in action two months later, Apr. 25, a few days after his 22^nd birthday. He died of gun or small arms fire in Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam.

Leopoldino awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Alberto Milar, Jr.

Headquarters & Headquarters Company. 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist Alberto Milar Jr., 23, from Papaikou / Hilo, Hawaii, was born Feb. 16, 1946. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as a medic with HHC (-), 2^nd Battalion, 299^th Infantry at Kealakekua, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Milar was levied to Headquarters & Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 21^st Artillery, 1^st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, May 23, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, Sept. 7. He died of artillery, rocket, or mortar in Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant.

Milar awards include the Combat Medical Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist John S. Otake

Company A, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Specialist John S. Otake, 20, from Honolulu, Oahu, was born May 12, 1948. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 299^th Infantry at Fort Ruger, Honolulu. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Otake was levied to Company B, 1^st Battalion, 52^nd Infantry, 198^th Infantry Brigade, American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 23, 1969 and was killed in action two months later, Mar. 7. He died of gun or small arms fire in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam.

Otake awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Roger R. Pangan

Troop E, 19th Cavalry Regiment

Specialist Roger R. Pangan, 22, from Ewa, Oahu, was born Mar. 4, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an armor reconnaissance specialist with Troop E, 19^th Cavalry at Fort Ruger, Honolulu. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Pangan was levied to Troop K, 3^rd Squadron, 11^th Armored Cavalry, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 26, 1969 and was killed in action six months later, Jul. 21. He died of gun or small arms fire in Binh Long Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant.

Pangan awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Specialist Clifford K. Taira

Headquarters & Headquarters Company. 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve 

Specialist Clifford K. Taira, 20, from Honolulu, Oahu, was born Jul. 4, 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s HHC, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an infantryman. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Taira was levied to Company D, 3^rd Battalion, 187^th Infantry, 101^st Airborne Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Apr. 22, 1969 and was killed in action less than a month later, May 11. He died of misadventure (Friendly Fire) in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.

Taira awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Private First Class Earl C. M. Au Hoy

Company A, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Private First Class Earl C. M. Au Hoy, 19, from Kaneohe, Oahu, was born Sept. 30, 1949. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with Company A, 2^nd Battalion, 299^th Infantry at Fort Ruger, Honolulu. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Au Hoy was levied to Company C, 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Infantry, 111^th Infantry Brigade, American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 23, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Feb. 22. He died of multiple fragmentation wound in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.

Au Hoy awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Private First Class Rodney T. Fukunaga

Company B, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Private First Class Rodney T. Fukunakga, 22, from Hilo, Hawaii, was born Feb. 3, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Company B, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an indirect fire infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Fukunakga was levied to Company A, 1^st Battalion, 5^th Infantry, 25^th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 26, 1969 and was killed in action less than two months later, Apr. 9. He died of an explosive device in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to corporal.

Fukunakga awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Private First Class Michael S. Nakashima

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Brigade

Private First Class Michael S. Nakashima, 21, from Hilo, Hawaii, born in Jul. 22, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an infantryman with headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29^th Infantry Brigade. His unit was mobilized May 13, 1968. Nakashima was levied to 1^st Infantry Division, American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Jan. 21, 1969 and was killed in action less than four months later, May 11. He died of multiple fragmentation wounds in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to specialist 4.

Nakashima awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Private First Class Dennis M. Silveri

Company B, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, United States Army Reserve

Private First Class Dennis M. Silveri, 21, from Pahoa / Honolulu, Hawaii, was born May 25, 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Company B, 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry Regiment as an infantryman in Hilo, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Silveri was levied to Company C, 1^st Battalion, 5^th Infantry, 25^th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 25, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Mar. 24. He died of gun or small arms fire in Hau Nghia Province, South Vietnam.

Silveri awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Private First Class Glenn T. Shibata

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment

Private First Class Glenn T. Shibata, 21, from Kealakekua, Hawaii, was born Sept. 15, 1947. He enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as an indirect fire infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2^nd Battalion, 299^th Infantry at Kealakekua, Hawaii. His parent unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized May 13, 1968. Shibata was levied to Company C, 1^st Battalion, 502^nd Infantry, 101^st Airborne Division, American Division, U.S. Army Vietnam, Feb. 25, 1969 and was killed in action a month later, Mar. 29. He died of gun or small arms fire in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to corporal.

Shibata awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal