General Frederick S. Strong, commanding officer of the Hawaiian Department of the U.S. Army, played a decisive role in shaping Hawaii’s National Guard policy during the early months of U.S. involvement in the war. Strong worked with both territorial leaders and federal authorities to balance the need for military readiness with Hawaii’s critical agricultural output. He ultimately supported the consolidation of the National Guard into two regiments instead of four, preserving manpower for sugar plantations while still ensuring a capable defense force for Oahu and the islands. His pragmatic leadership helped avert labor shortages and maintain local stability.
