The Military Order of the World Wars
Capt. Gaylord-Dillingham MemorialChapter Hawaii
Mokuna nuhou (Chapter News)
November 2025
Commander Comments
Aloha Companions! We are now in the final quarter of 2025 and it is time to plan for 2026. I am pleased to report that Chapter Companions continue to represent the Order in major commemorations, at the Oahu Veterans Council and other forums. Over the last 10 months, Senior Vice Commander Liam Fowler and Companion Toni Correa and I are representing the Chapter at the Monthly Oahu Veterans Council meetings, and I am representing the Chapter at meetings of the Hawaii America250 Military Committee. We had a 100% attendance rate at the monthly OVC meetings for 2025, as there are no meetings scheduled for November or December 2025. This is a component of remaining in good standing as an organizational member of the , along with paying our annual dues to the OVC.
As I reported from the National Convention, all Veterans are now eligible to join the Order, and I encourage you to reach out to your NCO and enlisted Veteran contacts to invite them be part of our distinguished Order. Membership is now easier to process on-line than it was just a few years ago with paper forms requiring signatures.
We have changed our meeting schedule from monthly to quarterly, since our attendance at the monthly meetings was unsatisfactory, It is my intent to make our meetings more of a social event, while still addressing the business of the Chapter. By reducing our meetings by 75%, to just once a quarter, and by making them more of a social occasion, you can fit them into your busy schedule and balance other responsibilities to work and family and enjoy Companionship in a social setting. The EXCOM (Commander and Chapter Officers), can still meet when required. Our last Chapter meeting was held on 20 October—see page 2.
In this Newsletter, we have republished the history of our namesake, last published in the Newsletter of July 2012. Our Chapter. When we tell others about our Chapter, it is important to tell his story of service, as the Chapter itself is a Memorial to him and his crew. We will work to have the Newsletter published on a quarterly basis, to increase our engagement with Chapter Companions, and the communities we serve.
With the massing of the Colors on June 14, 2025, we cemented our place as a Hawaii America250 Commemoration Partner. The Chapter continues to support this ongoing commemoration by facilitating events for the states, providing Officers to serve on the Military Committee, and by working with other Veteran Organizations to plan and carry out commemoration events. The most recent major event was the America250 Sojourn Flag, which was in Hawaii for two weeks in October. Read all about it on p. 3. More images to follow after the govt. shutdown ends.
Hawaii MOWW Supports the America 250 Sojourn Flag Program
The Chapter is already a Commemoration Partner with the Hawaii America250 Commission (see the list at https:// hawaiiamerica250.org/partners.php The most recent activity the Chapter is supporting since the 14 June Massing of Colors on 14 June (reported in the August Chapter News) is the Sojourn Flag. The Sojourn Flag is a 5 x 8 ft American Flag that has flown over every single one of the American Military Cemeteries in Europe and Africa. The flag was sent from the American Embassy in Paris to me to continue its sojourn in the United States. Hawaii is the first state to receive the Sojourn flag, and we were fortunate to have it for two weeks. The government shutdown prevented us from flying it at all intended locations, but working with other Veteran Organizations, the Oahu Veterans Center, and the VA Sparks K. Matsunaga Clinic, we were able to muster participants at each event. MSG K enneth Kinsley, LTC Ret. Curtis Manchester, LTC Les Bise, and I participated in these flag-raising events. Shown here are the flag raising events at the Oahu Veterans Center on Friday 17 October. At every planned stop, the flag was raised, saluted, and upon lowering, solemnly re-folded into the triangle shape reminiscent of the Colonial tricorn hats of the period of the American War of Independence.
The Government shutdown prevented us from raising the flag at the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific, and reduced support from the active military, but we did manage to get the flag flown at some military installations. Working with the National Parks Service Superintendent Tom Leatherman, we raised the flag at the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, the USS Utah Memorial, and on the aft flag pole of the USS Missouri.
The flag raising at the USS Arizona drew a large crowd, thanks to Schoen Safotu at the VA, who put out the word to Veteran organizations that the NPS boat provided for this event was intended for active/reserve military and Veterans. Due to the Govt. shutdown, the only military attending were some of the Foreign Liaison Officers assigned to HQ, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, namely Germany and Denmark.
The next newsletter will include another report about additional flag raising events accomplished. After 16 different flag raising events, the Sojourn Flag was sent on to Guam on Saturday 25 October to continue its journey, which will end with the 13 States that were the original 13 United Colonies before July 4, 2026. This is just one example of how MOWW is leading the way for commemoration events in Hawaii.
Photo top right and middle: Companions Arthur Tulak and Curtis Manchester raise the Sojourn Fag at the OVC on 17 OCT. Photo bottom right: Veteran fold the Sojourn Flag after it flew on the pole at the USS Arizona Memorial.
From bottom left clockwise: SFC John Ichikawa VFW/ MOFW, SFC Ret. Schoen Safotu VA, LTC Curtis Manchester, Randy Boucher, and LTC Ret. Adriel Lam, VFW Post
October 2025 Chapter Meeting
Chapter Companions assembled for dinner and business at Paesano’s Ristorante Italiano on October 20th. This was the first test of our new approach for meetings that provide greater companionship in a social setting with a meal. For many years, our Chapter meetings were held at the Moanalua Golf Course Restaurant, located close to Fort Shafter and Camp Smith. We also convened at the now closed Monterey Canners Restaurant, which closed due the COVID pandemic from Communist China. At this meeting we recognized Companion LTC, Ret. Bob Takao with the award of the Outreach Service Medal for his great work in organizing the rehearsal, accepting deliveries of chairs/tables/portable toilets, coordinating with the Sheriff’s office, organizing Youth organization participation, orchestrating the parade of flags forward to carry out the Massing of the Colors, supervising take-down and pick-up of delivered materials, and more. This is the first Outreach Service Medal awarded to a Hawaii Companion according to Chapter records.
Commander Tulak identified the need to update our bank account records to assign Chapter Officers authorized access to the account. This is important to ensure that if the Treasurer should leave the State, become incapacitated, or resign, that the Chapter leadership retains access. The Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Adjutant, and Treasurer will have to sign an updated account sheet with the bank.
The Chapter received a grant from the Hawaii Officer Spouses Club (HOSC) to sustain our ROTC/JROTC/Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy awards program into 2026.
Chapter Companions present also reviewed the Chapter Action Plan that will take us through the remainder of the Operational Year that ends in June 2026. Key points include planning for another MoC on 14 June 2026, and identifying a new venue for this important
, From left to right: LTC Ret. Les Bise, Adjutant and Treasurer; COL Ret. Arthur Tulak, Commander; CPT, Ret. David Vaughn, and; LTC Ret. Curtis A. Manchester III. Commander Tulak holds Bob’s certificate.
event, which brings together nearly 30 VSOs and Civic organizations.
We also discussed the need to improve communications with Companions who are mobility challenged, or shut-in, and so the Chapter Newsletter will also go out in the mail via the U.S. Postal Service to those who are not able to receive it by e-mail.
Chapter Companions present agreed to pay for a Website for the Chapter, as the one we have is defunct. We will continue to use the HI MOWW Chapter Facebook page to communicate to Companions and the community on what we are doing. LTC Manchester is the POC for anything to put on the Chapter fbk postings. Although there is no place on the MOWW National website to post our Newsletters, we will send each copy to the Top 3 leadership, and we can post it to the National MOWW Fbk page.
Among the outreach programs that we will resuscitate is the recognition of Eagle Scouts. Commander Tulak has reached out to Patricia Mariteragi of the Aloha Council and affirmed our desire as a chapter to recognize Eagle Scouts. Commander Tulak will serve as the Scouting Chairman.
All agreed that the restaurant was a great place for a meeting, and this will be “on the list” of meeting venues going forward. If you have recommendations on where you would like to the see the next Chapter meeting held, please contact the Adjutant.
Photo
History of our Chapter namesake, Captain Henry
Gaylord Dillingham, USAAF
CPT Henry Gaylord Dillingham was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 20th, 1918. He attended Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii, and was graduated from Middlesex School, Concord, Massachusetts.
He entered Harvard and was graduated with the Class of 1940. On December 7th, 1941, he was rounding out a year and half in the Harvard Law School. He wired his father saying that with his home being bombed he could not continue to read law. On January 16, 1942, he married Constance Shepard in New York City and as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve he reported for duty with the Field Artillery, Department of Hawaii.
Under special assignment he was with the Army Transport Service in Honolulu. At his urgent request he was transferred to the United States Army Air Corps for training and was graduated as a pilot of the B-17 bombers. He was then assigned to training combat crews and in 1944, with the rank of Captain, he was transferred to train as pilot of the latest model B-29 Superfortress.
In June, 1945, as Squadron Leader, with a crew recognized as one of the finest ever put together, he flew his B-29, the Manuiwa, to Guam, where he was stationed with the 20th Air Force. On July 20th, 1945, he flew his first bombing mission over Japan. On the 22nd of July, on a second mission over the Japanese Empire, a perfect score was made by the Squadron and a Presidential Citation was awarded. On the night of July 24th, on his third mission over Japan, his plane, which was leading the bombing group, was subjected to intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and was destroyed in the air. After the conquest of Japan, which came three weeks later, a diligent search was made for the missing plane. Months later the wreckage was located near the oil refinery of Kawasaki, Japan. The crew had been buried nearby and were removed and interred in the Cemetery of the United States Armed Forces, Yokohama, Japan. In 1949, his remains were brought to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific for his final resting place.
Photo 1; Captain Henry Gaylord Dillingham, US Army Air Forces (USAAF). Captain Gaylord Dillingham was killed in a bombing raid over Japan in 1945.
Photo 2: Armed Forces cemetery in Yokohama Japan, where Captain Dillingham’s body was first interred.
Photo 3: Memorial marker dedicated to CPT Dillingham at the family plot, in Oahu Cemetery, which reads “H. Gaylord Dillingham, Captain, U.S. Army Air Forces, Pilot B-29 Mauiwa, [Born] Honolulu Hawaii April 20, 2018 [died] Kawasaki Japan, July 25, 1945, Lost in Combat, Buried U.S Military Cemetery, Yokohama Japan.
Gaylord Dillingham was an ROTC cadet at Harvard, where he won the best soldier medal in Junior year, and was “Colonel of the Regiment” in his Senior year. Upon graduation, he received his commission in the Field Artillery. When he left Law School, knowing that his own home in Hawaii was being bombed, he was given important duty in the Army Transport Service here in Hawaii. Yet he knew that for him the air was the place where he could best serve. His polo and his crew (rowing) had given him the very background most required. When he had secured a transfer he made an outstanding record in his training and was assigned to the training of others and then to important executive work. Yet it was for flying in combat that he felt himself equipped and called and he sought it consistently. His record justified his persistence. General Orders No. 84, issued by direction of the President, said in part: "His outstanding leadership, exceptional professional knowledge, skill and courage were inspirations to all air crew within the 315th Bombardment Wing.
CPT Dillingham was a highly regarded officer by his subordinates, peers and superiors. Or, as an officer wrote after his death, "He never relaxed his high ideals nor did he ever cease striving to make things better and better. He gave something to everyone he knew here. Those under him worked hard and were extremely happy to achieve perfection for him. Those above him worked harder too, because his vitality was contagious…” A member of the family of one of those who were in his crew wrote, "... there is a lot of comfort in knowing that our crew were with one of the finest and most considerate captains. I know that his men were always his first consideration, and in their loyalty to him
their wish is that they would not be separated." Killed in action he was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
Airmen who perished with Captain Dillingham on B-29B (#4263678):
• Charles J. Bordino, S/Sgt, Engineer, New York
• John P. Cary, S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner, Minnesota
• Harvey J. Dempsey, Jr S/Sgt, Radio Operator, Wisconsin
• John F. Greene, Sgt, Tail Gunner, Texas
• Joseph T. H. LeBlanc, Sgt, Right Waist Gunner, Massachusetts
• James D. McGlynn, 2nd Lt, Pilot, New York
• Edward R. Morrow, Jr. 1st Lt, Radar Operator, Ohio
• Willis S. Orner, 1st Lt, Navigator, Pennsylvania
• Theodore W. Reekstin, 1st Lt, Bombardier, Michigan
Photos. Above right painting of Captain Dillingham bottom left: Photograph of Dillingham AFB Control Tower. Bottom right: Chapter conducts a remembrance ceremony at the family plot in Oahu Cemetery, Memorial Day 2020.
Recruiting and Retention, by COL Arthur Tulak
On 27 October, I attended the Region XIV Conference, hosted by our Region Commander, CDR, Ret. Ted Parsons. In attendance were MOWW CINC Lt Col Dave Worley, MOWW SVCINC, Lt Col Ret. Marlon Ruiz, and representatives of the BG Holland, COL Woolsey, Conejo Valley, Puget Sound, San Diego, LTG Wright, San Francisco Bay Area, and MajGen Pendleton Chapters. Senior leaders attending included BGen Fred Lopez, USMCR (Ret), and the Brig Gen Dan Pemberton Chapters. Recruiting and retention was a major agenda item for this conference.
Lt Col Marlon Ruiz, SVCINC, stressed that recruiting and retaining members needed to be a priority for the Order and challenged all members to adopt the goal of recruiting 500 new members. Across the Order, we are recruiting about 380 new members annually, but the Order typically lost members at the same rate that new members joined. Accordingly, we will have to improve recruiting if the Order is to grow. SVCINC Ruiz challenged all Region and Chapter Commanders to contribute to meeting the goal of 500 new members.
Marlon also observed that there are typically periods of inactivity based on seasonal cycles for any chapter, and asked Chapters to focus on recruiting during these lulls, such as the November and December holiday season. Recruiting is carried out at the individual level, so while the Chapter is not focused on planning/executing programs/activities, they should make recruiting a priority focus. At the same time, keeping fellow Companions as contributing members, leaders need to reach out to them by whatever form of communication that works. Retention and recruiting are what this chapter needs to remain relevant to the Active, Reserve, Retired, Veteran and Cadet Communities we serve in Hawaii. Well run chapters that are actively engaged in the community have better recruiting results. Marlon also pointed out that Chapters don’t have to do every single program (YLS, MoC, ROTC, etc.) to be successful. Chapters need to find the right balance, and engage with the community.
As our Recruiting/Retention Chair LTC, Ret. Manchester has stated before, we need to recruit Patriot Members. Patriot members do not pay dues, and may not vote, but may run committees. Patriot members may wear insignia of affiliation, such as our MOWW polo shirts. For recruiting, we can now recruit NCOs and Veterans. Senior NCOs were made eligible at the 2023 Convention, and at the 2025 Convention in Tucson AZ, all Veterans are eligible for membership. This change passed by just one vote, and it is now official policy for the Order.
Membership is open to all veterans who are retired, former, on active duty or members of the Reserves or the National Guard—to include active duty for training—in the Uniformed Services of the United States of America. The Uniformed Services are: the United States Army (USA), the United States Navy (USN), the United States Marine Corps (USMC) the United States Air Force (USAF), the United States Space Force (USSF), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Corps (NOAA). Hereditary Membership provides another path to membership. Family members who are directly related to eligible veterans within two degrees of consanguinity (i.e., spouse, son/step-son, daughter/step-daughter, grandson/granddaughter) are also eligible as Hereditary Members. Let’s go recruiting!
Oahu Veterans Council Update
At the 23 August meeting of the OVC, the guest speaker was CDR Megan Bodner, Deputy Director for Operations at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). CDR Bodner reported on the recent progress in 2025 which saw significant strides in identifying remains from the Vietnam War. She emphasized that DPAA maintains close community ties in Hawaii, where its Honolulu facility is based, and that there are opportunities for the veteran community to engage in DPAA’s mission and outreach.
At the 27 September meeting of the OVC, discussion included preparations for a possible Govt. shutdown, especially impacts on services from the Veterans Affairs.
At the 24 October Meeting of the OVC, Ed Cruickshank announced that a nomination committee was being formed to identify the candidates for offices on the Council. Discussion also focused on changes to the Veterans Day ceremony, as the Govt. Shutdown resulted in the Military HQs cancelling support, as community relations events are not authorized during the shutdown. Many of the support activities typically provided through the Public Affairs Office (PAO), such as keynote speakers, color guards, flyovers, and military bands, have been put on hold due to a directive from the Department of War (DoW). Planning for alternatives had already started for this likelihood, and as you will see on the calendar of events on the last page of this newsletter, the OVC Veterans day will be at the Oahu Veterans Center. This event is by invitation only, and if you did not receive an invitation, email info@theovc.org.
The U.S. Postal Service is honoring three of the nation’s military branches
The Army, Navy and Marine Corps are being honored with commemorative stamps to mark 250 years of service. Each of the three stamps features the respective name of the military service, the service seal and the inscriptions “250 Years of Service,” “Since 1775” and “Forever/USA.”
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for the USPS, designed the stamps. The three military-themed commemorations are in the “Forever” class of postage and can be used to send a one-ounce first-class letter
The U.S. Marine Corps 250th Birthday in Hawaii
The Marine Corps League is joining forces with the Navy League, Council of Honolulu, and the Hawaii America250 to celebrate the Corps’ 250th. The program starts at noon at the State Capitol Rotunda, with an event reminiscent of our Flag Day / Army Birthday event on 14 June earlier this year. The event will include a cake-cutting ceremony, messages from the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and remarks from members of the Hawaii State Senate and State House. A large size USMC flag will be flown from the flag pole of the State Capitol, and birthday cake slices delivered to each of the Senate and House Offices. The Mayor of Honolulu has issued a proclamation for the holiday, and this too will be part of the ceremony. Oo-rah to our lone Marine in the Chapter, Col, Ret. Jason Seal.
Subject: Veteran’s Day Special for AD / Vets
By Adjutant LTC Ret. Leslie Bise
At Mililani Community Church, the veterans were recognized by having children presenting a bag of gourmet pretzel with a special card made by the children. As they present the gift, they would say “Thank you for your service”. That kinda “choked” me up.
These restaurants are not the entire listing, just the more common ones that I know. Most have a special menu, unless noted here.
• Applebee’s
• Big Boy (eggs, hotcakes or French toast and meat plus coffee for $5)
• Denny’s (free original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon)
• IHOP (free red, white and blueberry pancake combo)
• Starbucks (with their spouses, can get a free tall hot or iced coffee)
• California Pizza Kitchen
• Chili’s
• Panera Bread (free bagel and coffee)
• Olive Garden
If you are planning to visit one of these restaurant, please check their website to be in the “know”. Also, be prepared for a crowd since gov’t shut down may bring out more than the usual crowd on prior Vet Day.
Appreciate you for being a Veteran.
Les Bise
Each year the VA runs a contest to select the image for the upcoming Veterans’ Day. The 2025 winning design, titled “Unified by Service,” was created by Army Veteran Jeremy D. Carpenter of Lowell, Arkansas.
Upcoming events:
• 10 NOV, 1200 hrs — U.S. Marine Corps Birthday—Cake-cutting ceremony at the State Capitol Rotunda hosted by the Marine Corps League and Young Marines. (250 event)
• 11 NOV, 1100 hrs Veterans Day Ceremony at the Oahu Veterans Center. Due to the Govt. Shutdown, this event will not be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (250 event)
• 11 NOV, 1111 hrs — Veterans Day Ceremony at the WWI Memorial and Natatorium in Waikiki, hosted by VFW Post 8616, the Elks Lodge, and the Friends of the Natatorium.
• 11 NOV 1615-1730, Veterans Day Sunset Ceremony, at the USS Missouri
• 17 NOV U.S. Army 250th Birthday of the Field Artillery branch Schofield Barracks. (250 event -time and exact location TBD)
• 07 DEC, 1000 hrs — Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Awards, Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell
• 07 DEC Pearl Harbor Parade in Waikiki https://www.pearlharborparade.org/ at Waikiki Curado Field, 1615 hrs
• 12 DEC Memorial for CAPT John Kendrick, killed by British cannon fire in Honolulu Harbor on 10 DEC 1794. (250 event)
• 13 DEC—National Guard Birthday (est. 1636)
• 16 DEC 81st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge which began on this day in 1944
• 20 DEC Founding of the U.S. Space Force (2019)
•TBD December Brunch with MOFW and/or MOAA.
• 12—19 JAN 2026— The Wall that Heals will be set-up at University of Hawaii West Oahu, sponsored by PASHA Hawaii, Kailua Elks Lodge 2230, Honolulu Elks Lodge 616, and Residence INN by Marriott Kapolei. https:// www.facebook.com/people/The-Wall-that-Heals-Oahu/61581748200307/
• 24 JAN 2026 —U.S. Army Retiree Appreciation Day, Soldier Support Center, 673 Ayres Ave, Building 750, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857
• 24 JAN 2026 — Oahu Veterans Council Meeting
Hawaii Chapter, Military Order of the World Wars
A non-profit 501 (c) 19 Veterans Organization Oahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St. Honolulu Hawaii, 96818
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