Hawaii Chronicles III: World War Two in Hawaii from the Pages of Paradise of the Pacific

Hawaii’s Organized Defense Volunteers

Hawaii’s Organized Defense Volunteers E The primary factor that influenced the formation of the Organized Defense Volunteers was the threat of attack during the uncertain months following December 1941. Several groups had organized prior to that time. They were called “Emergency Guard” and “Provisional Police.” But during the early months of 1942, civic and business leaders throughout the territory began organizing defense groups on a large scale. They asked for Army sponsorship, so that they could be provided with weapons and be allowed to train with Army units stationed on the islands. Oral approval for the formation of civilian-military volunteer defense forces was given on January 21, 1942, by the Military Governor and the Commanding General of the Hawaiian Department, Lt. Gen. Delos C. Emmons. Written orders followed, from time to time, authorizing units on the various islands. Terms of enlistment provided that volunteers would be ordered to duty as part of the armed forces of the United States only in case of an actual or impending invasion. Strength of the volunteer units during 1942 is not accurately known. Reports were intermittent and rosters were changing constantly . However, officers familiar with the situation at the time estimated a total strength of twenty thousand (August 1942). Though these men were not highly trained, their morale was excellent, they were amenable to discipline, and they knew the terrain intimately. District commanders, particularly on the outlying islands, regarded the volunteer units as very important auxiliary forces. As the hectic days of 1942 passed, decreased pressure on Army personnel resulted in better organization of volunteer forces. Physical examinations and oaths of enlistment were required; rosters were submitted regularly; and directives clarified details on supply, training , uniforms, and insignia. Volunteer ranks became more stabilized, 285 First published October 1945. too, as many who joined in the first flurry of excitement dropped out because of increased civilian responsibilities, while others were eliminated for physical disabilities. However, many who left the ranks were placed on a reserve status. At that time, the Volunteers numbered approximately ten thousand and enrollment remained at approximately that level until termination of military control on July 4, 1945. All Volunteers trained without pay, purchased their own uniforms, and gave freely of their spare time. Many came great distances to receive training, and a considerable number were without weapons until late in 1942. Their spirit and desire to learn were excellent. Most officers commissioned in volunteer units had previous military training in the regular Army, the National Guard, Reserve Officers Training Corps, or Territorial Guard. Many of the noncommissioned offices of these units had prior training, too. The Army assigned officers as inspector-instructors to each regiment, many on a full-time basis. All units were encouraged to participate in Army maneuvers and were offered the opportunity to go through the regular course (at Army expense) at the Unit Jungle Training Center (later designated as the Pacific Combat Training Center, operated by Central Pacific Base Command on Windward Oahu). At a meeting on Oahu on 17–18 January 1945, all ODV unit commanders met with Lt. Gen. R. C. Richardson, Jr., and Maj. Gen. H. T. Burgin to discuss volunteer affairs. It was decided the need for the Volunteers had not yet passed. The Army encouraged volunteer effort by providing additional equipment for training purposes. Inter-regimental shooting matches were conceived, and this tourney served to stimulate volunteer activity throughout the territory. With the cessation of combat activity in the European Theatre of Operations, and the progress of the war in the Pacific, Organized Defense Volunteers were released from Army control effective July 4, 1945. Appropriate ceremonies were held by all regiments, and individual service ribbons, individual Meritorious Service ribbons, and records of service (honorable discharge certificates) were awarded. There is no doubt but what the Organized Defense Volunteers served a valuable purpose in the territory: In an emergency, they would have been of great value in augmenting military forces. The added strength of volunteer forces, almost twenty thousand in 1942, enabled the Army to send more troops to forward areas. Hawai‘i Chronicles 286 First Regiment Oahu Volunteer Infantry Groups of business and civic leaders in the north sector of Oahu, appreciating the possibilities of attack and the need for local defense measures, organized other residents into groups for this purpose. These units were originally known as “Hawaii Scouts” in honor of the Philippine Scouts who fought so...