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Pineapple Army 1908-1920 Hawaiian Department, Occupied Territory of Hawaii


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Salvage Sailor

HAWAIIAN DEPARTMENT POSTS ON OAHU, TERRITORY OF HAWAII (1906-1917)

Including Naval Stations

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Schofield Barracks - Leilehua (Lay-lee-hu-ah)

 

The site which was to become Schofield Barracks was ceded to the U.S. government July 26, 1899, less than a year after Hawaii was annexed to the United States. The Waianae Uka military reservation was part of the former Hawaiian Crown Lands and consisted of 14,400 acres. These acres, between the two major mountain ranges on Oahu, provided central access to both the North Shore of Oahu and the Pearl Harbor naval base and the city of Honolulu to the south. While the area’s strategic defense value was recognized, it was initially passed over as a site for a principal military post because of the lack of a readily available water source.
 

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Photo:  5th US Cavalry at Leilehua Barracks, Castner Village, future site of Schofield Barracks.  The Regiment, (along with the 4th US Cavalry), was posted to Hawaii after service in the Philippines and prior to their service on the Mexican Border.

 

The Birth of an Army Post, 'Castner Village'
 
On Dec. 4, 1908, Capt. Joseph C. Castner, construction quartermaster, arrived on Oahu to begin construction of a temporary cantonment on the Waianae Uka military reservation. Castner, with the help of local laborers, constructed tents for the officers and men, followed by temporary wooden barracks. The cantonment was informally known as Castner Village among military personnel. In April 1909, the War Department named the post after the late Gen. John M. Schofield, former commanding general of the U.S. Army, who had originally called attention to Hawaii’s strategic value.

 

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Photo:  L Troop 4th US Cavalry in temporary barracks, Castner Village, Leilehua, T.H.

 

In 1910, the U.S. Army District of Hawaii was formed under the command of Col. Walter Schuyler at Schofield Barracks. It originally fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of California, then became a department in the newly organized Western Division. The number of troops continued to increase, and in 1913, the Hawaiian Department was formed as an independent command under the War Department.
 

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Photo:  1st US Field Artillery in temporary barracks, Castner Village, Leilehua, T.H.

 

Schofield Barracks - Hawaii’s Second City

 

Schofield Barracks’ population numbered about 6,000 men by 1914, with the 1st Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Regiment and 4th Cavalry all garrisoned at Schofield.  The Cavalry and Artillery men with their horses and mules moved into the first temporary wooden barracks built at Castner, while the Infantry was left to pitch tents, march and maneuver, pitch tents again, repeat - until their temporary barracks were built.

 

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Photo:  1st US Infantry Regiment, muster and field inspection under canvas while their barracks quad is being constructed.

 

The Second Infantry Regiment was posted to Fort Shafter, pitching tents on Palm Circle while their barracks were being built.  Their primary purpose of Garrisoning Department Headquarters shifted to the guarding of interned sailors from the Kaisers' fleet.  (Mostly from the SMS GEIER, or "Vulture", which was interned in Honolulu and placed under guard by the 1st & 2nd Infantry Regiments as noted in earlier posts)

 

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The Great War and the Departure of the Regulars

 

In April 1917, the United States entered the war in Europe.  Over time, the Regular Army units at Schofield Barracks were alerted and called to war.  The 5th Cavalry had already left for Mexican border service in 1913.  The redlegs of the veteran 1st and new 9th field artillery (formed at Schofield Barracks) were the first to go in December 1917. 
 
The 32nd Infantry Regiment was first organized on 7 August 1916, on Oahu, Hawaii from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments. At its activation, it was known as "The Queen's Own" Regiment, a title bestowed by the last queen of Hawaii, Liliuokalani.  Units of the 32nd Regiment were used to escort the German prisoners of war being transferred to the United States from Hawaii.  On 20 July 1918, the 32nd was transferred to Camp Kearny, San Diego, California, where it became a part of the 32nd Infantry Brigade, 16th Infantry Division.  A short time later, many of the Regiment's men were transferred to the 82nd Infantry Regiment and remained with this organization until it was demobilized in 1919.
 
25th Infantry and the 4th Cavalry had returned to Fort Huachuca and the Mexican Border leaving the 1st Infantry at Schofield and the 2nd Infantry at Fort Shafter cooling their heels on garrison duty.  By the time these two Regular Infantry regiments were relieved and finally made it to the mainland, the war had ended.

 

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1st US Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, T.H. Thanksgiving November 1917.  All dressed up and no war to go to.

 

In 1917 the Hawaiian National Guard was mustered into federal service and assigned to Schofield Barracks for training and as post caretakers.  By August 1917, an officer’s training school was established at Schofield Barracks to form a cadre.  Out of 100 students, 68 were local Oahu residents of Hawaiian, Chinese and Japanese extraction.  Three other officer training camps followed in 1918.

 

The newly formed 1st and 2nd Hawaiian infantry regiments were fully manned at 1,400 men each although with the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, strenuous training of these regiments was no longer essential.  The energies of the Hawaiian infantry regiments were turned to beautifying of the new post.  They planted shrubs, seeded lawns, built roads and landscaped around the existing structures and Cemetery.  The great eucalyptus and Norfolk pine trees lining the post roads are part of this body of work.

 

Dawn of the Interwar Army

 

The 17th Cavalry arrived in August 1919 and the Hawaiian infantry regiments were demobilized.  Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn arrived in 1920 with the 35th and 44th infantry regiments.  They were followed in 1921 by the 8th, 11th and 13th field artillery regiments and the fully consolidated 3rd Engineer Regiment. After a brief pause for World War I, Schofield Barracks had reached its seven-regiment promise.

 

In 1921, this became the Hawaiian Division.  Schofield housed the only complete division in the U.S. Army and the Army’s largest single garrison during the Interwar years.  The population rose to 14,000 in 1938, making it the second-largest city in Hawaii.

 

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Photo: US 1st Infantry Regiment Arriving in Honolulu, T.H. 1912

 

1st Infantry landing at Honolulu USAT SHERMAN 002.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor

1st United States Infantry Regiment, Regular Army, Marching on the Leilehua Plain, Castner Village

 

1st Infantry Regiment 1914 Garrison Review Schofield Barracks 001a.jpg

 

1st Infantry Regiment 1914 Garrison Review Schofield Barracks 001.jpg

Photo: US 1st Infantry Regiment 1914 Garrison Review, Schofield Barracks, T.H. They were posted to the Oahu Garrison after service in the Philippines through 1908.

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1st US Infantry Regiment Colors on Parade - Honolulu Carnival, 1915

 

1st Infantry Regiment 1915 Colors on Parade Honolulu Carnival 001.jpg

 

1st Infantry Regiment 1915 Colors on Parade Honolulu Carnival 001d.jpg

 

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1st US Infantry Regimental Band, Schofield Barracks, T.H. 1914

 

1st Infantry Regiment 1914 Band Garrison Review Schofield Barracks 001.jpg

 

1st Infantry Regiment 1914 Band Garrison Review Schofield Barracks 001a.jpg

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4th US Cavalry Regiment enroute to Schofield Barracks via the Oahu Railway 1914

 

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4th US Cavalry Regiment arrival at Schofield Barracks, T.H. 1914

 

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4th US Cavalry Regiment arrival at Schofield Barracks, T.H. 1914

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Dismounted troopers, many with swords

 

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"Ole Swede"

4th US Cavalry Regiment 1914 Schofield Barracks, T.H.

4th Cavalry Regiment 1914 000.jpg

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4th US Cavalry 1914 001.jpg

Candid photo, 4th US Cavalry Trooper, Schofield Barracks, T.H. 1914

 

4th US Cavalry 1914 001a.jpg

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"Katie,....This war is fine."

1914 Hawaiian Department Maneuvers from a Sergeant, 4th US Cavalry

4th US Cavalry Maneuvers 1914 001.jpg

 

4th US Cavalry Maneuvers 1914 002.jpg

 

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US 4th Cavalry Troop F, 09 Feb 1916 Schofield Barracks, T.H., smoking a cigar

 

4th US Cavalry Troop F 09 Feb 1916 001.jpg

This is the oldest photo I have which depicts the white stripe on the leggings often seen in late 20's to 1930's photos of Schofield troopers.

 

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Same trooper, 1916 - 4th US Cavalry Troop F

 

4th US Cavalry 1916 001a.jpg

 

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The Staff & The Territorial Governor

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Reviewing Officers and Officials, 4th US Cavalry Schofield Barracks, T.H. 1914

 

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4th US Cavalry reviewing Officers all in spurs 1914

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4th US Cavalry L Troop Picket Line 1914 001.jpg

L Troop Picket Line, 4th US Cavalry 1914

 

4th US Cavalry L Troop Picket Line 1914 001a.jpg

Daily Grooming on the Picket Line

fatigue uniform details

4th US Cavalry L Troop Picket Line 1914 001b.jpg

 

4th US Cavalry L Troop Picket Line 1914 001c.jpg

 

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US 1st Infantry Baseball team Schofield Barracks, 1912

 

1st Infantry Baseball Team 1912 Schofield Barracks 001a.jpg

 

1st Infantry Baseball Team 1912 Schofield Barracks 001b.jpg

 

Pitcher & Catcher, 1st Infantry Regiment 1912

 

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US 1st Infantry Baseball team Schofield Barracks, 1912

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4th US Cavalry Mounted Band Mid Pacific Parade, Honolulu 1915

 

4th Cavalry Mid Pacific Parade 1915 002.jpg

 

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L Troop, 4th Cavalry 1915

Leilehua Plains - Camp Castner

I Troop 4th Cavalry 1915 005.jpg

 

L Troop, 4th Cavalry 1915

 

I Troop 4th Cavalry 1915 001.jpg

 

L Troop, 4th Cavalry 1915

 

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L Troop 4th Cavalry, Honolulu, 1915

 

I Troop 4th Cavalry 1915 006.jpg

 

L Troop 4th Cavalry

 

I Troop 4th Cavalry 1915 003.jpg

 

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L Troop Buglers in Dress Blues, Schofield Barracks 1915

 

I Troop 4th Cavalry 1915 002.jpg

 

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L Troop, 4th US Cavalry Baseball Team, Schofield Barracks, T.H.

 

L Troop 4th Cavalry Schofield Barracks Baseball Team 001a wm.jpg

 

 

4th Cavalry Baseball Team 1913

 

4th Cavalry Baseball Team 1913 003.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor

Awesome photos.

 

Who's the guy in the top hat?

 

I'd say the territorial governor or another territorial official

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Salvage Sailor

GUARD FORT SHAFTER HONOLULU, T.H.

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Fort Shafter Guard, provided by the 1st & 2nd US Infantry Regiment - Guarding the interned Germans at Fort Shafter, T.H.

 

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Fort Shafter Guard, provided by the 1st US Infantry Regiment - 1910 Belts, Bayonets and Colts

 

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Fort Shafter Guard, provided by the 1st US Infantry Regiment - 1910 Belts, Bayonets and Colts

 

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Corporals of the Guard

 

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The Lonely 2nd U.S. Infantry Regiment - Left behind at Fort Shafter to Garrison Hawaii 1911-1918 as the other Regiments headed to the Mainland and the coming Great War. They had fought in every American conflict but sat out World War One in Honolulu.

 

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 001.jpg

 

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 002.jpg

 

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 003.jpg

 

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 004.jpg

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US Army Dress Blues - 2nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Shafter, T.H.

Photographs taken at Post Studio, Fort Shafter, T.H.

 

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2nd Infantry Regiment F Company, Fort Shafter, T.H.

 

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2nd Infantry Regiment K Company with Sharpshooter badge and Philippine Campaign ribbons, Fort Shafter, T.H. 1915

 

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2nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Shafter, T.H.

 

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Private Buck wearing Sharpshooter Badge, 2nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Shafter T.H.

 

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Infantry Working Uniforms 1912-1917

2nd Infantry Regiment, Post Studio, Fort Shafter T.H.

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2nd Infantry Regiment Corporal with Marksman badge, Fort Shafter, T.H.

 

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2nd Infantry Regiment Private wearing Sharpshooter badge, Fort Shafter, T.H.

 

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2nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Shafter, T.H., seated private with Sharpshooter badge

 

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2nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Shafter, T.H.

 

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2nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Shafter, T.H. 1915

 

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