The Army unveiled a biographical exhibit yesterday honoring Gen. Eric Shinseki, the first Hawai'i native and Asian American to attain the four-star rank as well as achieve the highest uniformed position of leadership in the Army -- chief of staff.

Kaua'i High School and was nominated to West Point by Sen. Dan Inouye. He received a master's degree in English literature from Duke University and taught in the English department at the U.S. Military Academy.

Shinseki had two combat tours in the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions in Vietnam and lost part of his right foot from battle injuries. He later served as the commander of Army forces in Europe and of NATO peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Shinseki became chief of staff in June 1999 and helped lead the military as it responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and in the war in Afghanistan and the war with Iraq.

He has been instrumental in planning for the Army's transformation into a more flexible fighting force with the six new Stryker combat brigades centered on eight-wheeled armored vehicles. One of the brigades is planned for Hawai'i.

Shinseki shook every hand at the opening and signed every book presented to him as he walked through the exhibit. Looking through all the moments of his past, Shinseki said his future is uncertain.

Because of his experience, leadership ability and stature, there has speculation that he would make a good candidate for political office. However, he said he has no political aspirations at this time.

"I have some other responsibilities to take care of, and I'm going to look after them. Then, you never know," he said. "Right now there are more questions than there are answers about what's next. But we are keeping as flexible and as many options as possible."

Shinseki's cousin, Anne Yamada, attended the ceremony along with about 100 other people, including a dozen active and retired generals. Yamada bought 11 copies of the new biography "My Name is Shinseki ... And I am a Soldier," written by Richard Halloran, and waited in line for the general to sign them.

"We are all very proud of him," Yamada said. "We have always been proud of him."

Retired Maj. Gen. Herbert E. Wolff, president of the Hawai'i Army Museum Society, said Shinseki is a role model for Hawai'i youth and the exhibit will be seen by hundreds of schoolchildren who regularly visit the museum.

"We hope all the people of Hawai'i will find time to visit the museum and pay their respects to this great American and Hawai'i native," Wolff said.

Jordan Spangenbert, 12, visiting from Hermiston, Ore., with his family, stumbled across yesterday's ceremony. He stood and listened to the speeches and came away inspired.

"To me, he said you can be the first to do anything you want," Spangenbert said. "He was the first Hawai'i-born head honcho of the Army. Someday we will have the first woman president. You don't know unless you try."