A Son of American Samoa
Dr. Afu Lefaoseu III has his maternal roots in Pago Pago and Faleniu whilst his paternal roots are from Uafato and Lalomauga in Samoa. He is a son of American Samoa, U.S. Army Combat Veteran commissioned officer, a family talking chief Tuifagaloa for Paramount Chief Mauga family of Pago Pago, and High Chief Luaitalolelei of Uafato. His early childhood educational upbringing was mostly influenced and mentored by the late Reverend Elder Masalosalo Sopoaga of the Pago Pago village American Samoa Congregational Christian Church. A proud product of American Samoa’s schools, he graduated from Pago Pago Elementary School in 1990 and Tafuna High School in 1994. As a student-athlete, he represented American Samoa in international competitions across New Zealand, Australia, and Vanuatu, becoming the first Track and Field scholarship recipient from American Samoa funded by the International Olympic Committee. His academic achievements included the Most Valuable Athlete Award, Eni Faleomavaega Congressional Academic Scholar honors, U.S. Presidential Academic Fitness Award, and induction into the National Honor Society.

Academic Excellence and Early Leadership
Dr. Lefaoseu earned his associate degree from the American Samoa Community College in 1997, serving as Student Body Association Vice President and receiving multiple academic recognitions, including the ASCC Alumni Award, the President’s Merit Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society membership, and national listings in Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and the National Dean’s List.

With the support of the American Samoa Government student loan scholarship program recipient, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo in 1999 and a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2001. His academic excellence earned him a Pacific Asian Academic Scholarship, placement on the National Dean’s Lists, induction into the Corona Honorum Honors Program, and selection for the National Model United Nations delegation, where he represented the Organization of African Unity at the United Nations in New York.

He completed multiple prestigious internships, including at the Hawai‘i State Legislature, the American Samoa Community College Forestry Agency, and the office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye. His research contributions include the creation of a University-published academic handbook and documentary on the cultural role of the Samoan malae.

Dr. Lefaoseu later earned a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University (2007–2012). His dissertation, “Leadership Values: Perspective of Matai-Leaders Within the American Samoa Government,” involved interviews with top government, village, and church leaders across the territory.

Distinguished Military Service
Dr. Lefaoseu is an American Combat Veteran Commissioned Officer who served more than 15 years on active duty in the U.S. conventional army and U.S. Special Operations Command Central. He also commanded the U.S. Army Reserve Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry known for its motto ‘Go For Broke’. He deployed multiple times with the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), U.S. Conventional Army, and U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) in major global operations, including:

• Operation Pacific Waves (2009 Pacific Tsunami)
• Operation Enduring Freedom (War against Al Qaeda and the Taliban)
• Africa Theater Support missions under U.S. AFRICOM
• Operation Inherent Resolve (War against ISIS)

U.S. federally healthcare trained as a Medical Patient Administration Specialist in the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He served in key medical and leadership positions at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, Wurzburg Army Hospital in Germany, Katterbach Army Health Clinic in Germany, Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawai‘i, and various medical and operational units across the Pacific Regional Medical Command.

During the 2009 American Samoa earthquake and tsunami, he became one of the first medical liaison responders on the ground, supporting casualty recovery, medical infrastructure evaluation, regional coordination, and U.S. Army liaison officer for all Soldiers accountability in American Samoa and their family members.

After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he deployed to the Middle East and served as a Combat Tactical Operations Center Battle Captain in FOB Sharana, Combat Infantry Platoon Leader in FOB Tillman, Combat Civil Affairs Officer in FOB Orgun-E during Operations Enduring Freedom in East Paktika, Afghanistan. He also deployed to Africa as a Special Operations Officer under the U.S. AFRICOM to an undisclosed mission with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After completing the  Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, he  deployed with the U.S. Special Operations Command Central as a Combat Operations Intelligence Officer in Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Turkey during Operations Inherent Resolve. 

In 2018, he assumed command of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the renowned 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment—“Go For Broke”—the most decorated unit of its size in U.S. military history.

His military service honorably concluded in November 2020 as an American Combat Veteran.

Government and Community Service
In 2021, Dr. Lefaoseu was appointed as Operational Manager and later Deputy Director of the American Samoa Governor’s Office in Hawai‘i. He played a central role as an Operational Manager in coordinating eight successful repatriation flights during the COVID‑19 emergency and served as a community organizer for the 40,000 Samoan residents living in Hawai‘i. He helped lead multiple Samoan Heritage Festivals and provided support to Samoan students, military families, veterans and faith communities across the state.

A Vision Rooted in Faith, Service, and the People
Dr. Lefaoseu’s life story reflects dedication to service: to his country, to his home, and to the people of American Samoa. As a combat veteran of wars, scholar, public servant, community leader, and son of Samoa, he seeks to bring the voices of the Samoan people to the halls of the U.S. Congress.

He believes the future of American Samoa is built on the prayers of our ancestors, the dreams of our forefathers, and the hard work and unity of our people. This vision cannot be bought—it must be carried forward with integrity, courage, and devotion to the next generation.

Dr. Afu Lefaoseu III:
The People’s Candidate.
The People’s Choice We Can Believe In.