Colonel J. D. Easton commanded the 2nd Hawaiian Regiment during a critical period of expansion and inspection in early 1917. He worked closely with Brigadier General Johnson to prepare the unit for formal review, praising Johnson’s hands-on leadership and enthusiasm. Easton was instrumental in rallying his officers and men to meet readiness standards, despite limited equipment and the uncertainty of potential mobilization. His coordination ensured the 2nd Regiment maintained its discipline and morale at a time when many guardsmen were facing delayed pay and inadequate gear.
