Memories of Nainoa
A Soldier’s Tribute and Eulogy
1 Lt. Raymond O`Donnell

1Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe, a husband, son and brother loyal and selfless as a friend and soldier and unmatched as a leader. He owned the room when he walked in. Always steady as a rock he was the most dependable person I knew. He never did anything halfway.

Nainoa was a professional soldier, an Infantry Platoon Leader, doing his job to the best of his abilities. Even in the fog of war Nainoa never lost his quick wit and sharp sense of humor. Most importantly Nainoa always kept his priorities in order. He was a wonderful husband, son and brother. His love for his Emily, family and Hawaii always came first. That’s what struck me about Nainoa no matter what, he was always able to keep things in perspective and focus on those things most important in life.

Nainoa was born to lead men into combat. He was answering his call. I know he loved what he was doing and nobody did it better. In his 27 years he had with us, he accomplished far more than most men who have had the privilege of living long lives.

Nainoa fulfilled his destiny. He touched so many people in his short existence. He was truly the best and brightest of Hawaii, the Army and our Nation. It is unfortunate that Men like him only rarely appear, however we were blessed to share him in our lives.

Nainoa Keali`ihokuhelelani Hoe chose to arrive at Kapiolani Hospital to the minute of the full moon that hung in the southern sky, Sunday night August 28, 1977. He was a special gift to his mother Adele and his dad Allen. He represented the dreams of their families with monumental tasks to accomplish. His given name, (Nah eno ah), “untouched by kapu” was to help him overcome any obstacle in his pathway, but of course the Hawaiian ka ona, “Nah e noah” The “Name” had its special meaning as well. His Hawaiian name, “Keali`ihokuhelelani” was meant to honor the alii full moon which traveled the heavens that night.

Nainoa grew up in Maunawili Valley and loved every minute of it, he shared it with his buddy Aleco from age 1 ½ , and later his brother Nakoa, and Aleco’s brother Constantine, the 4 of them were a force to be reckoned with their antics and costumes especially at Halloween. His early years were full of fun and activities, including the usual trips to Disneyland, neighbor islands to spend time with his grandma and grandpa on Kauai at Moloa`a beach. One trip seemed to leave more of a lasting impression than others. In 1989 he traveled to Washington DC with his father to visit the sites and museums, he visited the White House, and Washington Monument and one afternoon he and dad walked across the Potomac Bridge to visit Arlington National Cemetery. He stood at the eternal flame of the JFK memorial and then walked over to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as he approached those hallowed grounds; he became transfixed by the sight of the tall young soldiers in dress blues performing the solemn march in front of the tomb with such precise movements and timing. Nainoa did not want to leave. He watched the changing of the guards’ ceremony two times before he was satisfied.

Within the next year he was enrolled as a freshman at Kamehameha Schools and immediately found a place in the JROTC program which provided him the challenges and rewards he so enjoyed. His most satisfying accomplishment was being named the Commander of the Nakoa Unit of the program. Ranger challenges, rappelling, long distances marches and runs seem to give him more strength and a greater sense of purpose.

Upon graduation from Kamehameha with the class of 1995, (which celebrates their 10th year reunion this year) he enrolled at the University of Hawaii, College of Business Administration from which he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.
During this same time he entered the US Army Reserves at Ft. Shafter, serving with the 9th Regional Support Command and United States Forces Korea as an enlisted man. When asked by his father why he choose to start as an enlisted man as opposed to seeking a Commission, his response was “because you did dad” when I become an officer I want my record to show that I was once an enlisted man and that I had the stuff it takes to do the job.

There were few records or awards which he did not win. Most notable he earned the US Army 9th Regional Support Command, Soldier of the Year award in 2001. He earned the US Army Pacific Command, Reserve Component Soldier of the Year award as well. And he was the runner up in the US Army Reserve Component Soldier of the Year, nationally. His greatest satisfaction was when he was with the men of the 100 BN 442 IN RGMT. He took great pride in being permitted to serve in that most legendary unit and to soak up the mystic and honor of what is like to know its history and the young men from Hawaii who wrote it. Nainoa’s personal motto was of course - “Go For Broke.”

Not only did he succeed at the soldiering skills, he also excelled academically having earned his MBA Degree from the University of Hawaii College of Business Administration under a full scholarship through the “Fish Scholarship for Excellence” a highly sought after MBA scholarship award sponsored by the Shuster Oil & Chemical Co. He received both his MBA and his coveted Gold Bars of a young “shaved tail” in May 2003. He began his service as an Infantry Officer with IOBC Class Charlie 501-03, 5th Platoon and graduated in October 2003. Nainoa then earned his Jump wings as a member of A Co. 08-04 1st Platoon in December 2003. He started Ranger School in January 2004 and graduated on March 11, 2004, with Ranger Class 4-04.

He reported for duty to Ft. Lewis in March of 2004 and was thrilled to be assigned to 3/21 “Gimlets” having grown up hearing all the stories told by his dad, and his army uncles who served in Vietnam with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, which was comprise of the 2/1, the 3/21 and the 4/31 Infantry regiments.

He married his beautiful Emily Mai Vo, on June 24, 2004 in a private ceremony at the “Bayer Estate” with his dad conducting the ceremony at sunset. Such a handsome couple in such a beautiful place with such dreams for the future.

1st LT Darren Glenn had the privilege of serving with and getting to know Nainoa while training for deployment to Iraq and during actual combat missions. As fellow Platoon Leaders in combat the two forged an impenetrable relationship that only they would understand . . . his incredible words about Nainoa -
“The first time I heard the name Nainoa Hoe was from a mutual friend, Rob Nash. Rob stated that he had a good friend being assigned to 3/21 Infantry. I immediately asked Rob, “if he was a good dude or not.” Rob responded with something that I will never forget; he told me “Nainoa was the best leader he has ever met.”

Nainoa became the 2nd Platoon Leader while I was the 1st Platoon Leader for Charlie Company 3/21. All Platoon Leaders take great pride in their platoons, Nainoa and myself were no different. We constantly strived and competed with each other to have the best Platoon in the company. The honest fact of the matter was Nainoa’s Platoon always set the standard. No matter the event, Physical Fitness tests, live fires, and even the company picnic 2nd Platoon was the bar that the entire company would be based off of. Even when another platoon had done better overall they were always compared to Nainoa’s Platoon, This was a direct reflection of Nainoa’s personality, and his drive to succeed in anything he or his men attempted.

Nainoa set high expectations for his soldiers and would accept nothing less of them then their best effort. His Platoon took 1st Place in the Company Machine Gun Competition, had the highest physical fitness score in the company, and his men were selected to train the entire Battalion’s Officer Corp in Closed Quarters Marksmanship. While these accomplishments sound very successful, Nainoa was never one to “rest on his laurels.” He knew we would soon be leading men in combat and tough realistic combat focused training was our responsibility.

Nainoa was fiercely competitive, but he never micromanaged his soldiers. He trusted and empowered his NCO’s and allowed his men to succeed and fail on their own merits. Nainoa never accepted credit for his men’s accomplishments, and never deflected the blame for any deficiencies his platoon encountered. Nainoa’s men were the most important thing to him. This was true in both training and combat. Nainoa led from the front in Mosul, no matter the mission, 1LT Hoe would be in the first vehicle leading his men or right up front with the lead element in a dismounted patrol. He never asked his men to do anything he would never do first himself. He was not out seeking glory or spotlighting he was just doing what he knew was right leading from the front.

While our platoons competed Nainoa and I became good friends. Anyone that knew Nainoa couldn’t help but appreciate his quick wit and sense of humor. Whether it was a late night training meeting or a stressful field problem I could always visit my friend and leave with a smile on my face. We would make jokes about almost anything and especially each other, nothing was off-limits and some people may have thought we went overboard. We were both thick skinned and knew how to make each other laugh.
This was especially helpful in Mosul. Many nights when I came back to FOB PATRIOT upset with the way the mission went. Nainoa would be waiting for me in the CP with a, “hey how did it go,” and a quick joke that would suddenly make things seem all right. I would laugh and realize hey nobody was killed and yes we may have had a few close calls but things were good. Besides I wasn’t going to let this guy make fun of me. We then would sit in front of the map and talk about the events of the day often for an hour or so. Compare our observations and discuss what we thought the enemy was doing and how we could counter their actions. This was our own form of Intelligence and was just as important to me as it was to Nainoa. We learned from each others observations and in many of theses discussion we both became better Platoon Leaders.

We also watched each other’s backs. Nainoa knew that if he needed to borrow anything he could come to me and I could go to him. Often times we swapped vehicles, equipment, and anything else we needed in order to accomplish the mission. Whenever a company mission was to take place both of us felt most confident when 1st and 2nd Platoon were operating together. The competitiveness that our platoons displayed in training transformed in to a mutual respect. There was never a doubt in my mind that if my platoon was ever in trouble Nainoa and 2nd Platoon would be there to help bail us out.

Other days that were a bit slower the FSO Phil Fassieux, Nainoa, and I would go in the chow hall and just talk to each other. Talk about things we liked in Iraq, things we didn’t like, what we were going to do when we returned home and things we missed the most. Often these conversations turned into an outlet to vent our frustrations. We were our own support channel and kept each others morale up.

One conversation I will never forget took place on Veterans Day. The city erupted in violence and 1st Platoon was going out on a mission. Nainoa stopped me on my way out the gate which was odd. We usually spoke after the missions not before. He said, “hey be careful out there, it’s getting kind of crazy.” I looked at him confused and said, “hey brother don’t worry about me I am good.” Nainoa was worried because that was his nature; he was not only worried about his men but his friends as well. I was wounded later that day and EVACED back to the states. That last simple conversation would be the last time I would ever speak to my friend.

Every Veterans day for the rest of my life I will remember 1st LT Nainoa Hoe. I will ponder the question of where does America get men like Nainoa Hoe, men of honor, courage, who put the welfare of all others above himself. I was once told in a speech from COL Ralph Puckett, “that once America stops being the home of the brave we will no longer be the land of the free.” 1Lt Nainoa Hoe once again proved America is the home of the brave and will always be the land of the free.

I wish I could conclude this tribute by saying Rest in Peace Nainoa, but the truth of the matter is Nainoa is not resting right now. There is no doubt in my mind that 1st LT Hoe is looking down on his men, protecting them, influencing their every decision and just adding that little bit of luck that everyone needs in combat. Nainoa is not the type of warrior that would allow death to prevent him from leading and protecting his men. My friends true tribute and legacy is not anything I could say or put into words here, but the 2nd Platoon “Outlaws” who right now as we speak are in Mosul accomplishing every mission and representing the United States of America, that is the true tribute for a man once described as the “best leader I have ever met.” Nainoa I am going miss you and I promise I will keep an eye on your boys for you.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY ~ GO FOR BROKE!