The McKinley High School JROTC unit was organized in 1921 and is the oldest Hawaii public school unit. The unit was initially organized into a cadet regiment plus a band and a drum & bugle corps. In 1922, McKinley JROTC cadets gave a demonstration before Governor Farrington and the Territorial Legislature; the Governor presented the school’s regimental colors as a part of the ceremony. By 1924, the unit had formed rifle teams and officer clubs, selected sponsors, and regularly conducted ceremonies and parades. JROTC enrollment reached its highest point in 1937 with 2,200 cadets

JROTC was discontinued in McKinley during World War II and then reactivated in 1945. Many of McKinley's cadets are war heroes including World War II Medal of Honor winner Daniel Inouye (class of 1942) and Korean War Medal of Honor winner Leroy Mendonca (class of 1950), Distinguished Service Medal winner Richard Sakakida (class of 1939), and P-51 fighter pilot Wah Kau Kong (class of 1936) --and many other distinguished and exemplary citizens.

In school year 1966-1967, the Department of Education employed retired military personnel as JROTC instructors at McKinley. This was also the year that JROTC no longer was mandatory for all physically fit males. JROTC enrollment dropped to 250 cadets in school year 1967-68 under the decision of the State School Board to make JROTC an elective subject. During this school year, the unit retained the highest "Honor Unit with Distinction" designation.

 

McKINLEY JROTC BATTALION