Military Profile Highlights

Please contact the Office of Insular Affairs at (202) 208-4736 or Tanya_Joshua@ios.doi.gov to share pictures of men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces from the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States.

Airman First Class Fritz Bruce Tuatoo – American Samoa

Courtesy photo: AFC Tuatoo (right) pictured with (from left to right) AFC Lambert and AFC Viluan.

Airman Fritz Bruce Tuatoo (E3), aged 24, joined the U.S. Airforce from his home town of Pago Pago, American Samoa. Airman Tuatoo is currently assigned to Security Forces in Aviano, Italy. He has been in the service for 11 months.

Airman Tuatoo joined the U.S. Air Force to better himself as an individual, to serve his country, and to serve the people of American Samoa. He has enjoyed being exposed to different cultures and being able to share his American Samoan culture as well. He is also enjoying learning about being a DEFENDER in the US Air Force.

The Office of Insular Affairs is proud to recognize the men and women of the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States who serve in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

2nd Lieutenant Grace Tapuni Lafitaga – American Samoa

Grace Tapuni Lafitaga pictured here in front of her church (Kanana Fou Congregational Christian Church - Hawaii) during her commissioning ceremony as a 2nd Lieutenant on August 14, 2009. She is the daughter of Rev. Falelua Lafitaga and Ieta Lafitaga of Fagasa Village, currently living in Kunia, Hawaii.

Lt. Lafitaga graduated from Hawaii Pacific University after completing her masters in Nursing and was commissioned on the same day. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in biology from UH Manoa and is a graduate of Pearl City High School class of 2000.

The Office of Insular Affairs is proud to recognize the men and women of the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States who serve in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

Dennis James Babauta Lujan - Guam

Major Tau Laupola and Director Nikolao I. Pula

Dennis James Babauta Lujan hails from the village of Agat on the beautiful island of Guam. He is a 1988 graduate of Oceanview High School and a 1992 graduate of the University of Guam. In 1996 he completed a Master's in Criminal Administration from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City. In May 1992, he was commissioned a 2LT of Field Artillery in May 1992. He has served as Platoon Leader, Battery Commander, and Operations Officer.

Mr. Babauta visited the Office of Insular Affairs in August 2009. The Office of Insular Affairs is proud to recognize the men and women of the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States who serve in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

U.S. Army Major Tau Laupola - American Samoa

August 18, 2009 After retiring from the U.S. Army, Major Tau Laupola made a stop at the Office of Insular Affairs where he met with staff and Office Director Nikolao I. Pula.
All photos courtesy of T.Joshua OIA.

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. More

Thirty-two Palauans and FSMers join US Army

(Reported by Palau Horizon News Staff writer Villahermosa)

Koror, Palau (July 22, 2009) – Thirty-two young men and women from Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia enlisted in the US Army and were sworn in on Wednesday in Palau by Captain Michael Smiley, Operations Officer for the Honolulu Military Entrance Processing Station. More