Chaplains Corner
By Fred Staedel, Th.D.
There always seems to be a war happening in the world. The world now has two wars underway and new wars are being threated; be it China vs. Taiwan, India vs. Pakistan, or “heaven forbid” the U.S. vs. China. What is a person of faith do who acknowledges that there is a benevolent and holy God? Of course, the common and obvious answer is to pray. That is a good answer and no doubt a right answer. And to worship for peace on a routine basis is not only the right answer, it is also a good answer for one’s own “peace” of mind. But what about the world’s peace? Logic and history would suggest that there will always be a war somewhere on earth, so therefore is praying for world peace a futile effort? And what would be the result of even daily individual prayer for world peace? The answer is actually important and effective; namely, prayer is always more of a right answer than the wrong answer and at least prayer will initially yield an individual’s peace; one’s own peace of mind and thus one’s lack of fear. And yes, we all have a choice to either calm our thought with individual prayer or continue to be fearful and afraid. So how does one pray individually for world peace? The answer to this question lies heavily on one’s own beliefs and upbringing relative to religion and how he or she relates to a belief in a benevolent Godhead. But that said, just the simple practice of turning thought in prayer and often with words one can declare in prayer that his/her God is in control and that peace is a gift of God and therefore God’s “will” shall be done. And yes, such routine declarations are effective; especially to the individual who prays those words. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.” (Matthew 24:6)
From the Arizona Commandery:
Passing of Loyal Companion CW5 Hathaway
By Brad Hopkins, Commander, AZ MOFW
Companion CW5 David Hathaway Sr. David passed on Jan 7, in his home with Maryanne, his loving wife, by his side. David lived in New Braunfels, Tx with his wife, children and grandchildren.
David was a Charter member of the Arizona Commandery and a member of the Texas Commandery. David served five years as the Vice Commander of the Arizona Commandery. David is also the Deputy Quartermaster General who served many Command Generals at the National Level. In addition to being the Deputy QG he served as the Chairperson of the ROTC/JROTC MOFW Awards Program. In that capacity he was awarded the MOFW Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal for his exemplary accomplishments. His efforts to bring the ROTC/JROCT Award Program to its current the level impacted the MOFW in a way no other Companion has. Without his day-to-day attention to detail the program would not exist. He managed to bring a non existent program to a level that now supports the Order not only financially but brings in more attention than ever before.
David enjoyed helping anyone he could and was not only a member of this Order but an active member to many other organizations. He would be the first to raise his hand to offer his expertise and would give his all if called upon. David Hathaway served as a Chief Warrant Officer Five and is considered the most senior rank within the Warrant Officer corps. He is an individual with exceptional technical expertise, extensive leadership experience and deep knowledge in his field. Essentially CW5 Hathaway represented the pinnacle of leadership among the Warrant Officers.
We were lucky to have had such a man in our ranks
Obituary https://www.luxfhcares.com/obits/david-ross-hathaway/
National Guard Youth Challenge Awards Presentation Winter 2024
By LTC, Ret. Dan Curtis,
Officiating the ceremony was BG Logan, Deputy AG, and BG Ret. Bruce Olivera, Hawaii State Dod.
Receiving the Bronze medal was Cadet Mattizyn Dupont, and the Silver Medal went to Cadet Leshaya LittlecreekSchmidt.
The entire ceremony may be viewed on Facebook. LTC Curtis’ presentation is at the 31 minute mark.
The next awards ceremony for the YCA will be on 17 December at the Pearl City Cultural Center.
Commandery Operations
Aloha Companions!!
On 20 February, we gathered as an Order at the Dixie Grill in Aiea to meet our necessary business obligations as well as getting to enjoy some quality time in pure comradeship and friendship. During this gathering we “policed the battlefield” and took care of some long overdue actions. One of them was the formal transition and my assumption of command from Companion Manchester. Mahalo to LTC Manchester for serving as Commander for 4 years and 10 months in command (from June 19, 2020). for I appreciate him keeping this Commandery going and his continued support as we go forward.
I would like to personally thank Companion Ed Green for recruiting our newest inductee, CPT (Ret) Dave Vaughan, USA. I think you will enjoy reading about Dave’s dynamic and diverse background. Notably Companion Vaughan will be of immediate value to the Order and has volunteered to take the lead as our 250th Commemoration Action Officer. Dave has built a life of community service and service to our Nation; I’m honored and proud to have him in our Commandery.
Just as important as recognizing each Companion’s service to MOFW, our spouses and loved ones play an essential role in helping competing our Order viable and function. In honor of nearly a decade of support for her husband, Chaplain Fred Staedel, we presented Mrs. Becky Staedel a MOFW scarf as a small token of appreciation for those years.
Godspeed till we meet again.
Poppy Appeal 21—22 MAY 2025
The Commandery once again had approval from the Commandant of MARFORPAC to conduct its semi-annual Poppy Appeal at Camp H.M. Smith ahead of Memorial Day along with VFW Post 8616 to keep this tradition going.
Photos - Top Right: Change of Command, Bottom Left, Recognizing Becky Staedel for her support of her husband, a Companion 7 years (since 16-Feb-2018) Bottom Right: Inducting New Companion, CPT, USA, Ret. David Vaughn,
Remembering the American Contingent of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps in the 1925 Revolt
According to the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, in the 1920s and 1930s presented serious national security issues in the Pacific Theater. “Fighting between Chinese Nationalists and Communists often led to attacks on American lives and shipping. From 1925 to 1927, almost the entire Asiatic Fleet remained in Chinese waters to protect American interests. In 1928, upon the capture of Beijing by Nationalist forces, the Asiatic Fleet stationed 41 ships around northern Chinese ports to support the 3,000 Marines in Peking (Beijing) and Tientsin and protect nationals. The U.S. Navy in the Far East.” https:// www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/early-20th-century-conflicts/asiatic-fleet.html
A headline from the Daily Times of January 29, 1925 read "Troops Held Ready for Rushing to Shanghai as Chinese Revolt Threatens Safety of Americans,"( United Press). The article explained that the U.S. Govt was ready to send troops in the Philippines to Shanghai to reinforce the International Force protecting the legations of Western Countries. The U.S. Govt had already dispatched all Naval Vessels and Marines in the vicinity to Shanghai to reinforce the Shanghai Volunteer Corps (SVC), which had been fully mobilized to preserve order, with battleships from the American, British, and other foreign navies patrolling the harbor. The great concern was the eminent danger of anti-foreign attacks accompanied with looting by the defeated and disorganized Chinese troops returning toward the city. The Daily Times, Volume XXXI, Number 40, January 29, 1925
The SVC was created on April 12, 1853 during the Small Swords Society's uprising. The unit saw action alongside British and American military units in the 1854 "Battle of the Muddy Flat", when Qing imperial troops besieging the rebel-held city ignored foreign demands to move further away from the foreign concessions. Concerned that the Qing forces were drawing rebel fire into the settlements, the foreign consuls and military commanders authorized an attack on the Qing forces to dislodge them. The operation was successful, and the battle was thereafter commemorated as an important event in the history of the SVC. The Corps was disbanded in 1855 but reestablished in 1861. In 1870, the Shanghai Municipal Council took over the running of the SVC . [Source: https://www.emedals.com/products/chinaimperial-republic-fifteen-rare-shanghai-volunteer-corps-uniform-insignia-m0480-2rl1]
The SVC was made up of military contributions from the various international (primarily Western) legations in Shanghai. During its history the SVC included units made up of Scottish, American, Chinese, Italian, Austro-Hungarian, Danish, German, Filipino, Jewish, Portuguese, Japanese, White Russian, and Eurasian companies, and others. The SVC was mobilized in 1900 for the Boxer Rebellion and in 1914 for the First World War. In 1916 the British recruited Chinese to serve in the Chinese Labor Corps for service in rear areas on the Western Front to free troops for front line duty. Many members of the SVC served as officers in the CLC. The Commandant of this unit was always a British Officer, as the British War Office supplied weapons and equipment. Of note, the German and the Austro-Hungarian companies were disbanded in 1917 when China declared war on Germany, and these units left to defend the German Concession of Tsing Tao (where the Germans built the Tsing Tao brewery) against the Japanese who joined the First World War for that prize. These concessions were among the territories that Germany lost after the end of WWI. Before the War, In 1910 the German contingent consisted of one regular company ("Prinz Heinrich Kompangie") and one reserve company. When the First World War broke out at least forty of the German volunteers in Shanghai left to join the 7. Kompagnie of the 3rd Seebataillon in the defense of Tsingtao. [Source: British & Commonwealth Forces Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/cwealthforces]
Cap badge of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps. https://hpcbristol.net/ visual/Hn06-213
In addition to the Shanghai Volunteer Corps being engaged in suppressing revolt, on January 22, 1925, U.S. Marines form the Second Expeditionary Force deployed to Shanghai from the Philippines, followed by several other Marine deployments that took place throughout the rest of the year. [Source: https:// iacenter.org/2020/07/15/resource-section-200-years-of-u-s-military-deployments-against-china-1820-2020/ The term “China Marines,” originally referred to the United States Marines of the 4th Marine Regiment, who were (cont. p. 7)
stationed in Shanghai from 1927 right up to the start of WWII in 1941. In November, two weeks before Pearl Harbor, the Americans withdrew their forces from Shanghai. The 4th Marines headed for the Philippines, many of them doomed to be captured by the Japanese and perish in POW camps, an outcome that has forever marked the former China Marines regiment. Their mission was to protect American citizens and their property in the Shanghai International Settlement, during the Northern Expedition and the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Returning to the story of the SVC, fighting among Chinese factions, as well as sporadic riots and demonstrations, led to American forces landing again in Shanghai from January to August of 1925 in order to protect the lives of Americans and other foreigners and to protect properties where foreign nationals lived. On May 30 of that year, Chinese nationalists launched a nationwide movement against foreigners. The death of Sun Zhongshan, known as the country’s “National Father” led to the ascension of Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek) as the leader of the Nationalist Party. https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/08/22/26-times-the-us-sent-armed-forces-to-china/
The SVC’s roll at its peak in the late 1930s was 2,300 men. Its longest mobilization was in August 1937 during the Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese had surrounded the city from 1932, and the SVC’s task was to keep them out and to help patrol the entry points facing the Japanese forces.
When the British formally withdrew in 1940, the SVC took permanent control of the so-called International Settlement, the area within the city where the foreign residents lived and mostly worked. The SVC was finally disbanded by the Japanese occupation forces in early 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
The last, albeit unofficial, reunion of the SVC was for the centenary celebrations in April 1954, held in Hong Kong at the Royal Yacht Club. The SVC was operational from 1853 to 1942.
[Source: British & Commonwealth Forces added 4 new photos to the album: SHANGHAI VOLUNTEER CORPS, February 27 ·https://www.facebook.com/cwealthforces/posts/-shanghai-volunteer-corpsthe-shanghaivolunteer-corps-svc-was-a-multinational-mo/677666098118557/
Is it possible that Americans serving in the SVC joined the MOFW? The only military operation in China mentioned in the eligibility criteria of the Order is the China Relief Expedition (1900-1901). It is possible that Americans serving in the SVC during the 1925 crisis may have previously served in WWI, or would later serve in WWI. In any case, this is an amazing story of American Soldiers in China between the two World Wars.
Shanghai Volunteer Corps Long Service Medal, created in 1925, was awarded for 12 years cumulative service with the SVC. Bars for additional periods of service were also awarded. Cast in silver, the medal consists of the SVC seal with the text "For Long Service" on the obverse and the recipient's name and service years on the reverse.
American Company Shanghai Volunteer Corps members on duty with rifles on Suzhou Road, Shanghai, 1925https:// hpcbristol.net/visual/Hn06-223
Three Americans of the SVC stand guard.https:// hpcbristol.net/visual/Hn06-213
Visit to Okinawa War Memorial,
By Companion Peter Hirai:
Recently, I visited the Okinawa Peace Memorial Museum and the Peace Memorial Park on the southern tip of Okinawa Island. The museum and park memorialize those that lost their lives during the Battle of Okinawa, March through June 1945. The museum contains displays, photos, narratives and videos that are set up chronologically. Walking through the museum, it begins with the Japanese Pacific War in China in the early 1930s then goes chronologically through the Pacific War, the battle itself, and the recovery process; the displays continue after the battle with the American occupation, U.S. territory of Okinawa, and reversion to Japanese control in 1972. The displays end showing modern-day issues between US DoD forces and Okinawa.
About halfway through the exhibits there is a small theater with a narrated video. The video shows highlights of the battle and is captioned in English. There is also a large hall containing multiple books and about a dozen stations. Each book contains a written account of experiences from Okinawans who experienced the battle, and the stations have video screens where you can search and play video accounts from Okinawans. Outside the museum is a large peace park with multiple memorials. One memorial is a series of large marble tablets that list all the dead from the Battle, over 200,000 total. Amazingly, the list of names includes Japanese military, Okinawan conscripts, Okinawan civilians, and all Allied service members. They resolved to include all war dead, no matter which side they fought for. Overlooking the tablet of names is a peaceful pond and the steep southern cliffs of the island. The cliffs are a beautiful, tranquil place to reflect...a contrast to the violence that occurred here as the last Japanese holdout of the battle and where many local families committed suicide off the cliffs.
(Visit to Okinawa War Memorial, Continued from p. 8)
The focus of the complex is on peace and avoidance of future wars; the many narratives provide a balanced approach to recounting the battle, including criticism for the Japanese forcing many Okinawans to become combatants, forcing them to commit suicide, and taking food away from the civilian populace leading to starvation deaths.
There is also criticism of post-war American occupation and the current Government of Japan policy of stationing over 70% of U.S. forces on the tiny island. One of the largest takeaways from an U.S. DoD point of view is the fierceness of the fighting and sheer casualties on both sides that caused American war planners to consider alternatives to launching an attack on the main four Japanese islands; this may have affected the decision to use the first two (and only) nuclear weapons in war. Although catastrophic in their civilian losses, the two bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945 are miniscule compared to what would have happened to civil-military casualties from the planned landing in Kyushu.
Indeed, a personal narrative by my father in Kyushu of being armed with a sharpened bamboo pole during the closing years of the war highlights how desperately the Japanese were prepared to fight. Being only 12 years old, the Japanese military expected him to take out as many Americans as possible. The unimaginable scenario of US forces fighting every man, woman, and child above the age of 12 could have happened with millions of casualties.
Link for more information about the Peace Museum: http://www.peace-museum.okinawa.jp/ english/
Link for more information about the Peace Park: https://heiwa-irei-okinawa.jp/facility/ heiwanoishiji/
Upcoming events:
• 22 MAR—Oahu Veterans Council Meeting at the OVC, 0900-1000 hrs.
• 29 MAR 2025, National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
• 11 APR, ROTC, JROTC Awards Ceremonies begin.
• 25 APR, ANZAC Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. 1000 hrs.
• 26 APR Oahu Veterans Council Meeting at the OVC, 0900-1000 hrs.
• 01—31 MAY— DoD Operations Security Awareness Month (protecting essential secrets from foreign espionage)
• 07 MAY, 26th Anniversary of the Bombing of the PRC Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1999 (3 KIA, 20 WIA)
• 08 May—Victory in Europe Day, celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces .
• 09 MAY – Military Spouse Appreciation Day – (The Friday in May before Mother's Day, this special day was first recognized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984).
• 13 15 MAY, AUSA Land Forces Pacific Symposium (LANPAC) at the Sheraton Hotel
• 17 MAY, Armed Forces Day (established in 1949 to recognize the unification of the U.S. military branches under the Department of Defense. The first official Armed Forces Day was celebrated in 1950).
• 14 JUN, Flag Day at the State Capitol Rotunda, 1130—1300, hosted by the Military Order of the World Wars as part of the Hawaii 250th Commemoration.
• 14 JUN, Army Birthday Ball https://www.eventcreate.com/e/usarpac-army-ball
Hawaii Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars
A non-profit 501 (c) 3 Veterans Organization
Oahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St. Honolulu Hawaii, 96818
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