U.S. Army Major Tau Laupola - American Samoa
Tau Laupola first entered the U.S. Army on 12 December 1985 as a Private First Class in the Infantry and later received his direct appointment officer commission as an Infantry Officer. From 1989 to 1994, Major Laupola served as the Platoon Leader, the Executive Officer, and finally as the Company Commander of Bravo Company (-) 100th BN, 442nd Infantry at Pago Pago, American Samoa. From 1995 to 1997, he volunteered and was accepted into a demanding, arduous, and highly selective Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) program to train and be qualified as Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Officers.
From 1997 to 2001, Major Laupola served as the Assistant Operations Officer for the 7th Psychological Operations Group. Utilizing his exceptional planning and managerial skills, he ensured multiple deployments to Korea, Thailand, Laos and Australia were flawlessly executed. In addition, he planned and coordinated all training for Joint Readiness Training Centers (JRTC) and Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC). From 2002 to 2003, Major Laupola was assigned to the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion as the Intelligence and Operations Officer. He was responsible for all Battalion Combat Training Center (CTC)/Overseas Deployment (ODT) mission requirements in support of a newly established WARTRACE to 2nd Infantry Division. He successfully planned and coordinated five overseas deployment missions including two simultaneous CTC exercises. He also served with Headquarters 322 Civil Affairs Brigade in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was the Operations Officer in a forward deployed Civil Affairs Brigade in support of United States Army Reserve Pacific Command (USARPAC). From 2004 to 2006, Major Laupola served as a Civil Affairs Operations Officer with Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR). He was innovative and diligent in planning combined training between US Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Republic of Korea SOF. Additionally, he was recognized by the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lieutenant General in Command of the Combined Unconventional Warfare Task Force (CUWTF) with a Letter of Commendation for his outstanding contributions to the success of the exercise. His final assignment was with the United States Army Special Operations Command as a Civil Affairs planner, where he was vital to the establishment of the Directorate of Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs. He was responsible for reviewing and revising Civil Affairs and Foreign Internal Defense doctrine and providing subject matter expertise to numerous Army and Joint exercises. Major Laupola continually provided leadership, guidance and mentorship to Samoan and Pacific Islander Soldiers at Fort Bragg where he recently led the Asian Pacific Observance Ceremony. Major Laupola and others stood up the Republic of Korea Samoa Association ROKSA in support of Samoans and Pacific Islanders who transition to and from their tours in South Korea from 2003 - 2007. With their motto "A home away from home”, ROKSA supported a lot of service members during its existence. When Major Laupola moved back to Ft Bragg, NC, a group of Samoan soldiers with the blessing of the Congregation Christian Church of American Samoa started the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, Ft Bragg and Fayetteville to provide spiritual support to Samoan service members, other Pacific Islanders, friends and their families. In addition to these support groups, Major Laupola traveled to American Samoa to testify before the Legislature for the military bill that was passed into law as of May 2008 which allows Samoan service members to register and vote from their respective military installations around the world without having to appear in person to fulfill this requirement in American Samoa. Major Laupola and other senior members of the Fort Bragg Samoan military community have traveled to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other military installations along the East coast in support of service member retirements, wounded soldiers, re-enlistments, promotions, deployment, redeployments, etc. He is a frequent writer in local Samoan newspapers recognizing Samoans in the military. Major Laupola continuously distinguished himself, the United States Army Special Operations Command, and the Special Operations Community with his ability to rapidly adjust to a constantly changing environment preparing and deploying Soldiers to both Afghanistan and Iraq. His professionalism and devotion to the Special Operations community and the United States Army were nothing short of exemplary. His selfless service and dedication to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army Special Operations Command, and the United States Army. As of August 3, 2009, Major Laupola departed from Fort Bragg to begin his retirement from the U.S. Army. He has received numerous military awards some of which include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Military Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Mobilized), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Medal, and the Air Assault Badge. The Office of Insular Affairs is proud to recognize the men and women of the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States who serve and have served in all branches of the United States Armed Forces. |
