Gender

Male

Birth date

1943-9-5

Place of birth

Minadoka Relocation Camp ID, U.S.A.

Inducted

1966-10-17, Portland OR

Enlistment type

Volunteer

Service branch

Usaf

Service type

War,peacetime

Unit type

Combat,sup

Units served

Secretary of the Air Force/Special Projects; Air Force Space Division; Air Force Avionics Laboratory; Advanced Research Projects Agency-Vietnam; 3246 Test Wing

Military specialty

16R4, Planning and Programming; 62E4, Developmental Engineering

Stationed

USA - Eglin AFB, FL; Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Los Angeles AFB, CA; Pentagon, Wash. DC; Saigon, Vietnam.

Separated

Los Angeles CA

Unit responsibility

Develop, deploy and operate classified, multibillion-dollar National Space Systems which: provide immediate force enhancement data to unified CINCs and deployed war fighters, and support national authorities and senior DoD decision makers across all levels of conflict.

Personal responsibility

Responsible for all aspects of the West Coast Operations of the National Space System.

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

None

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with 2 devices; Army Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Defense Meritorioius Service Medal with device; Meritorious Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 devices; Air Force Training Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Device; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal with device; Air Force Longevity Service Award with 6 devices; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Living conditions

In Vietnam, the living conditions in Saigon were excellent. We lived in hotels converted into officers' quarters. They had comfortable beds, good sanitation facilities, and chow halls intergrated into the hotels. Field conditions were a lot like camping out in the rain except for the mortars and rocket fire. The USO provided stage shows every couple of weeks and we watched a lot of football on the TV. Medical support was specially good. The doctors treated problems before they became serious. I remember being taken off patrol so that a minor dental problem could be treated.

Most vivid memory of military experience

My most vivid memories are the launches of our national security payloads from Vandenburg Air Force Base. When the rocket launched, the entire sky would light up and the sound was so loud that it became a force pushing on your body.

Missed most whilst in the military

Seeing my family.

Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?

I would like those closest to me to understand that each person's life work must be dedicated to something more than a pay check. Each person must leave the country and the world a better place to be in.

Additional information

My mother, Fumi Mihara, still lives in Portland, Oregon. I have a brother, Joe Mihara, and two sisters, Barbara Pickett and Janet Mihara. I am married. My wife's name is Carolyn. We live in Los Angeles.