Hawaii Territorial Guard | |
---|---|
Active | 1941-1947 |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | Hawaii |
Branch | Army |
Type | State defense force |
Role | Military reserve force |
Equipment | Springfield 1903 rifle |
Commanders | |
Civilian Leadership | Governor Joseph Poindexter |
The Hawaii Territorial Guard (Hawaiian: O na La kiai) was the state defense force of Hawaii during World War II. As a result of the National Guard of Hawaii being federalized for the duration of the war, the Hawaii Territorial Guard was created to serve as the stateside replacement for the National Guard. During the war, it was the sole military force available to the Governor of Hawaii as its captain general to use in defense of the state. Unlike the National Guard, as a state defense force, the Hawaii Territorial Guard was not subject to federalization or deployment outside of the borders of Hawaii, but rather answered only to the governor.