Classmate Military

*****P R O C L A M A T I O N*****
[by the President of the United States of America, edited]

"We come together to pay tribute to the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Americans across this land commemorate the patriots who have risked their lives to preserve the liberty of our Nation, the families who support them, and the heroes no longer with us. It is not our weapons or our technology that make us the most advanced military in the world; it is the unparalleled spirit, skill, and devotion of our troops. We honor our veterans, let our actions strengthen the bond between a Nation and her warriors.  

Our veterans have charged into harm’s way, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice, to protect the freedoms that have blessed America. Whether Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard, they are our Nation’s finest citizens, and they have shown the heights to which Americans can rise when asked and inspired to do so. 

Long after leaving the uniform behind, many veterans continue to serve our country as public servants and mentors, parents and community leaders. They have added proud chapters to the story of America, not only on the battlefield, but also in communities from coast to coast. They have built and shaped our Nation, and it is our solemn promise to support our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen as they return to their homes and families.

America’s sons and daughters have not watched over her shores or her citizens for public recogni­tion, fanfare, or parades. They have preserved our way of life with unwavering patriotism and quiet courage, and ours is a debt of honor to care for them and their families. These obligations do not end after their time of service, and we must fulfill our sacred trust to care for our veterans after they retire their uniforms.

We are humbled by the sacrifices rendered by our service members and their families out of the deepest sense of service and love of country. Let us remember our solemn obligations to our veterans, and recommit to upholding the enduring principles that our country lives for, and that our fellow citizens have fought and died for."

 

 

Thank-You to our Veteran BHS Classmates of 1966,
we Honor your Greatness and Courage
Be All You Can Be | It’s Not just a job. It’s an Adventure! | You and the Navy. Full Speed Ahead | The Few. The Proud | We're Looking For a Few Good Men | Aim High |
Be Part of the Action


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Basic: Fort Ord, CA 1969

Arakawa, Gerald
Branch of Service:  Army
Basic Training:  Fort Ord, CA.  "Geev'um Platoon"
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Burnet, Lee:
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:  Enlisted in Jan.1968 as a Military Policeman. Fort Gordon, GA

Overseas Duty:  Vietnam 1969

Years Served: 

Basic Training in Fort Ord, Monterey, CA and was transferred to Ft. Gordon, GA for his MP training.

In Jan. 1969, Lee was shipped to Dong Tam, Vietnam, in the Mekong Delta, (about 70 miles south of Saigon) and was assigned to the 9^th M.P. Company of the 9^th Infantry Division.

As luck would have it, after 8 months of duty, (President Nixon’s withdrawal plan) As one of the first 25,000 troops to be redeployed, Lee returned to Hawaii where he was assigned as an MP Duty Sergeant for the Ft. DeRussy detachment in the Waikiki area.

Lee was then reassigned to the Hawaiian Armed Services Police (H.A.S.P.) which encompassed the police force all the branches of services. During his assignment, Lee became a part of the A.W.O.L. Apprehension Team and worked undercover to capture and apprehend deserters and awol serviceman.

Lee was awarded the National Defense medal, Vietnam Service and Campaign medals, Army Commendation medal with “V” device for valor.

Comments:  "...did my time and was honorably discharged in 1971."

[More about Lee? Click here]
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Calhau, David
Branch of Service:  Army
Basic Training:  Fort Ord, CA.  "Geev'um Platoon"
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Campbell, Paul N.
Branch of Service:  Navy

Basic Training:  Just out of high school in 1966, shipped out to the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA.

Years served:  4

Occupation:  Quartermaster. Assigned to the USS Southernland Destroyer at the 32^nd Naval Station, San Diego.

Overseas Duty:  Da Nang, Qua Viet, Vietnam 1968-1969. July 1968 assigned to the LCM 6 Landing Craft and was sent to Cua Viet, which is 5 miles from the DMZ in North Vietnam, dangerous territory.

Comments: "Occupation while in Vietnam was a coxwain on a landing craft LCM-6 used to haul supplies up and down the cua viet river for the US Army and Marines, as well as seabees. The seabees were the construction outfit of the US Marines. that built roads and bridges for them. Was a great occupation and enjoyed it a lot.

Paul says that the best time he ever had in the Armed Forces was on USS Fox, a guided missile destroyer in San Diego."

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Cardorna, Frederick
Branch of Service:  Army
Basic Training:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Cua, Richard Jr.
Branch of Service:  Army Reserve
Basic Training:
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Commets:

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Damaso, Charles
Branch of Service:  Marines
Basic Training:
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Diaz, Stephen:
Branch of Service:  Air Force

Basic Training:

Occupation:  72nd bomb wing mechanic.

Years Served:  4 years in service

Overseas Duty:  2 years in Puerto Rico

Comments:  "I went to Tech. school for 6months for mechanic. After that I was stationed  at Travis Air Force Base in Calif. 5th Bomb Wing working for ground support for B52 Bombers an KC135 Tankers. After that I was shipped to Ramey A.F.B. in Puerto Rico under the 72nd bomb Wing.

I also was sent to March A.F.B. in Calif. and sent to iceland twice for temporary duty by than my tour of duty was up."

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Edwards, Thomas
Branch of Service:  Navy
Basic Training:
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Figgeroa, Dennis
Branch of Service:  Marines
Basic Training:
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Herlandiz, Richard

Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training: Enlisted on 2 July 1966  with a bunch of guys from Hawaii and trained at Ft. Ord, Cal. We enlisted from Hawaii and was the "12th All Hawaiian Company"

Occupation: Disbursing Clerk/Basic Infrantry ("Whatever asked of you to do, you did! I'll leave it at that")
Years Served:

Overseas Duty 1:  Vietnam- 1967-1968 9th Inf. Division, Camp Bearcat, South Vietnam

Overseas Duty 2:  Vietnam- 1968-1969 1st Air Calvary, Anh Khe, South Vietnam

Comments: "Thanks for recognizing us vets, we didn't have that when we came home! It's hard to forget people protesting you and calling you names when you come home, especially here in Hawaii! God, it's been over 40 years and it seems like yesterday. Anyways too much remembering."

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Kaopoiki Jr., Alexander A. :
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:

Occupation:  E3, Corporal, Infantryman
B CO, 4TH BN, 21ST INFANTRY, 11TH INFANTRY BDE, AMERICAL DIV, USARV

Years Served:

Overseas Duty: Vietnam

Comments: Ground casualty: Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam

 

Ground casualty: Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam

Classmate comment:  "I last saw Alika in Ft. Ord.  I was walking one day and I saw this person on guard duty his back turned to me and I recognized that walk, so I called his name and sure enough it was Alec.  He told me he was shipping out soon so we made a date to meet at the bowling alley to have a drink or two, 3, 4, 5……we had a good time talking about the short time we got to know each other. 

One day I was at my desk (Schofield) and my sergeant asked me if I knew Alexander Kaopuiki I told him no and he mentioned that he’s a BHS “66 grad, then it hit me – ALIKA….my heart pained and my eyes got misty – soldiers don’t cry.

Couple a few days later I asked I was asked to be one of Alec’s pall bearers by his mom – via Robert Ambrose’s list of Alec’s close friends – it was my honor.  I remember waiting at the (Maui) cargo terminal for the casket and when the plane hatch opened we saw Charley (Damaso) in his Marine uniform escort Alika home…[William Romena]"

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Basic: Fort Ord, CA 1969

Kina, Anthony
Branch of Service:  Army
Basic Training:  Fort Ord, CA.  "Geev'um Platoon"
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Konno, Emerick:
Branch of service: USNG Hawaii, Infantry 1968-1970, USAR (Reserves), Calif. 1979-1993

Basic Training:  Hawaii/U.S. Army Reserve, Calif.

Occupation:  Infantry Division, M.O.S. 11B, 11C, 11F, 11H

Years Served:  1968-1993

Overseas Duty:  Vietnam

Comments:

 

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Moniz, Earl J. :
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:

Occupation 1:  1968–1990: Radio operator, radio teletype operator, man-portable tactical satellite radio operator, and tactical communications supervisor.

Occupation 2:  1970-1987: Okinawa for three tours. Instructor of high-frequency radio principles and fundamentals as well as tactical radio station operations to members of the United States armed forces (Army, Navy, and Marines) and the members of military forces of several foreign nations (South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines). Three separate classified assignments as a radio operator.

Occupation 3:  Army diver since 1969 with a variety of missions and training assignments - including entering (lock-in) and exiting (lock-out) a nuclear submarine (USS Greenling - which was stationed at New London at the time) while underway at night.

Years Served:  see occupation

Overseas Duty:  see occupation

Comments:

[More about Earl? Click here]
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Nomura, Pat :
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:

Occupation:  Quarter Master Heavy Equipment Mechanic, later became PLL (Parts Clerk)

Years Served:  1969 - 1972

NDSM - National Defense Service Medal

VSM - Vietnam Service Medal

RVNCM - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Good Conduct

Overseas Duty:  Viet Nam, Germany

 

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Pimentel Jr., Edwin:
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:

Occupation:  Heavy Equipment Specialist

Years Served:  3

Overseas Duty:  Vietnam.  Activated with the 29th Brigade

Comments:

[More about Ed? Click here]

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Pontanilla, Andy
Branch of Service:  Army Reserve
Basic Training:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Quiray, Sabas:
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:  The All Hawaiian Company. Fort Ord in California

Occupation:

Years Served:

Overseas Duty:  Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Comments:

 

"All Hawaiian Company"

  [More about Sabas? Click here]
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Recamara, Bryant
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:

Occupation:  Radar repair

Years served:  Active

Overseas Duty:  Middle East

Comments:  Active with the U.S.military and foreign military countries overseas after 3 years of U.S. active service to current.

[Click on photo to enlarge]

Iraqui Freedom 05-07
Task Force Wolverine

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Basic: Fort Ord, CA 1969

Romena, William
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:  Fort Ord, CA.  "Geev'um Platoon"

Occupation:  M.O.S. 71H20 - Pesonnel Clerk (Remmington Raiders).

Overseas Duty:  Schofield.

Comments:  "Fred Cardona and Miles Taono was a cycle after mine. Charles Damaso was drafted into the Marines.  And of course Dennis Figgeroa who enlisted in the Marines after graduation.  Can't forget Edwin Pimentel who joined the NGs and got activated and spent a tour in Nam. 

Basic: Fort Ord, CA. Geev'um Platoon [click on photo to enlargr]

Group picture of my platoon during basic training. 2nd row second from left William Romena; 3rd row third from left (underclassman) Jackie Kuhaulua (d), fourth Pedro Visitascion; 4th row eighth from left Gerald Arakawa; 5th row sixth from left is Anthony Kina.  Missing from photo - on KP duty - is Thomas Souza.  Also, David Kalhau was in our group of draftees. 

We were called the "Geev'um Platoon" by our CO.  He had us hang a drawing of a menehune surfing with the word geev'um on it - a local guy gave it him.  He cited our platoon in a speech after graduation ceremonies in front of (the mainland) parents, wives, and guests how we helped break the previous PT record - can you imagine the pride we felt.  Needless to say most of us got promoted."

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Sekimoto, Harvey:
Branch of Service:  Air Force

Basic Training:

Occupation 1:    Weapons Controller, Admin/Personnel Officer, Chief, Personnel Utilization, Chief, Quality Force
Years Served:  Six years Air Force active duty (1972-1978):
Overseas Duty:

Occupation 2:  Inactive Air Force Reservist (1978-1982):  Personnel Manager, Gearhart Industries, Ft. Worth, Texas (private sector).

Occupation 3:  Full-time Air Force Reservist (ART) (1983-1984):  Chief, Consolidated Base Personnel Office, Youngstown, Ohio.

Full-time Air Force Reservist (ART) (1984-2004):  Kelly/Lackland/Randolph AFB, Texas.  Director of Personnel;  Instructor, Total Quality Management Program;  Instructor, Air Force Terrorism Program; Squadron Commander; President, Air Force Informal Disability Board;  President Air Force Formal Disability Board;  Deputy Support Group Commander.

Retired Rank:  Colonel

"One of many memorable moments."

Comments:  "One of many memorable moments.  Led the Air Force Reserve Contingent at the internment of the Unknown Soldier, Vietnam War (since identified from DNA) in 1984, from the Capitol Building to Arlington Memorial Cemetery. Route of President Kennedy's funeral, caisson and dirge, twenty-one years earlier.  As I marched, I thought of his funeral on TV, in black and white, while we were Sophomore's at Baldwin."

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Sereno, Kenneth: 
Branch of Service:  Navy

Basic Training:  San Diego

Occupation:  Sailed around Boston Harbor till the end of the Viet Nam War
Years Served:

Overseas Duty:

Comments:  "...they practiced what they preached".

[More about Ken? Click here]
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Souza, Thomas
Branch of Service:  Army
Basic Training:  Fort Ord, CA.  "Geev'um Platoon"
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Chief Warrant Officer [1992]

Tabisola, Tomas:
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:  29Jan71, Delayed Entry Program.

Occupation:  SSG (Staff Sergeant, E-6), 6th Infantry Light Division's PBO (Property Book Officer), CW4 (Cheif Warrant Officer Four), and teach automated logistics to active and reserve soldiers. .

Years Served: 1971-1992

Overseas Duty:  Ft Lewis, WA ,  Ft Lee, VA , Richardson, Alaska, Ft Lewis, Alaska)

Comments:

[More about Tomas? Click here]
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Tamanaha, Dwight Masaichi:
Branch of Service:  Air Force (14 years), Air-Army National Guard Reserves (8 years)

Basic Training: 

Occupation:  Non-Appropriated (Recreation) Funds Financial Management Officer-Custodian and squadron commanderCaptain

Years Served: 22, honorable discharge.

Overseas Duty:  Korea

Comments:  
Medals earned: Air Force Outstanding Unit, 1 Device; Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Air Force Longevity Service, 3 Devices; Air Force Training Ribbon, 2 Devices; National Defense Service Medal, 2 Devices; Meritorious Service Medal. 

[More about Dwight? Click here]
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National champion and All-American in Olympic Weightlifting. Bronze medalist for the USA in the Pan-American Weightlifting Championships at Mexico City, Mexico.

Military photo depicts winning the 1979 National Sports Festival (Colorado Springs, CO) while training for the Olympics in weightlifting in the Air Force Specialized Sports Training Program.
Military was a significant component in my life. My uncle Tom Tamanaha, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, with the California Army National Guard, served me as an example while I attended the Air Force’s Officer Training School. My deceased dad (North Africa-Southern Europe theater as a walkie-talkie man in the U.S. Army during WWII) influenced me in military terms and scenarios/study the middle roots of America/search sourced information for Truth/learn rudimentary elements in music and French…his legacy still is a positive force in my thinking and his superb display of humility and meekness to plan important tasks/projects out in my life like military strategy to help me become the best the Creator made me to serve humanity in my lifetime.

Taono, Miles
Branch of Service:  Army
Basic Training:  Fort Ord, CA.  "Geev'um Platoon"
Occupation:
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:
Comments:

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Ushijima, Arthur:
Branch of Service:  Air Force

Basic Training:

Occupation:  Captain, US Air Force medical service corps (1973-80)

Years Served:  7

Overseas Duty:

Comments:  "At the suggestion of a friend’s father, enrolled in Iowa University’s hospital administration program. After two years obtained degree and moved on to working as a healthcare administrator with the Air Force."

[More about Arthur? Click here]

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Basic: Fort Ord, CA 1969

Visitacion, Pedro:

Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:  : Fort Ord, CA.  "Geev'um Platoon"

Occupation:  Sergeant, promoted to Squad Leader

Years of Service:  2 years active, 4 years in the reserve

Overseas Duty :  One year in Vietnam and one month in West Germany.

Comments:  Awarded the National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service and Campaign medals, Bronze Medal with 10 LC and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

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Wendt, Edward:
Branch of Service:  Army

Basic Training:  Enlisted after graduation.

Occupation:

Years Served:

Overseas Duty:  Vietnam

Comments:  Served with distinction as a member of the 173rd Combat Airborne Brigade.

Received many medals and commendations, including the "Distinguished Trooper" award"

[More abou Ed? Click here]

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Yonemoto, Arthur
Branch of Service:  Army
Basic Training:
Occupation: Infantry (11C) and Intelligence Analyst (96B) 1971-1973
Years Served:
Overseas Duty:  Berlin, Germany
Good Conduct, Army Commendation, Occupation (Berlin)

Comments:  "We were being trained for Viet Nam jungle warfare, but fortunately the US decided to pull out and so I was sent to Berlin. The Army was a life-changing experience. "

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Not a complete list of our Veteran Classmates
Names are from our website and classmates' response. Please contact bhs1966@gmail.com of any errors or if you know of other Veteran Classmates that are not included here.