Gender

Male

Birth date

1941-5-3

Place of birth

Honolulu HI, U.S.A.

Inducted

1964-4-27, Honolulu HI

Enlistment type

Volunteer

Service branch

Usaf

Service type

War,peacetime

Unit type

Support

Units served

63rd Medical Group, Norton AFB, CA
Headquarters Air Force Inspection & Safety Center, Norton AFB, CA

Military specialty

Hospital Administrator

Stationed

USA: Vandenburg AFB, CA; Hickam AFB, HI; Patterson AFB, OH; Norton AFB, CA
Other Countries: Japan; Germany; Thailand

Separated

Norton AFB CA

Unit responsibility

Provide ambulatory healthcare & dental care to 6000 active duty personnel & l5,000 retirees

Personal responsibility

Director, Base Medical Services

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

2 Legion of Merit Medals
Bronze Star Medal
3 Meritorious Service Medals
Joint Service Commendation Medal
3 Air Force Commendation Medals
Air Force Achievement Medal
8th USAF Hospital, Ubon Royal Thai Airfield - Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device

Most vivid memory of military experience

My most significant memories are:

l. The first Japanese American to attain the rank of colonel in the US Air Force Medical Service Corps.

2. The award of two Legion of Merit medals.

3. The award of the Bronze Star.

4. The early promotion (two-years below-the-zone to Lieutenant Colonel).

5. My selection to colonel within l7+ years.

6. My coaching of US Armed Forces Cross Country at the International Military Cross Country Championships held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in l987. Our men's team finished second and our women's team finished third. To date, this is still the best showing of a US Armed Services Team.

Missed most whilst in the military

Being a commander in motivating my officers, civilians and airmen to do their best.

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

Attitude not aptitude determines one's altitude in life.

Additional information

I am currently the Department Chair, AFJROTC at Cathedral City High School, CA. Our AFJROTC group is in its second year of operation and we have grown to 60 cadets. I also coach cross country and track and field at the high school.

I possess a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (University of Hawaii); Master of Arts in Counseling (Chapman University, CA); Specialist in Education (Ed. S) degree (La Sierra University); completing my Doctorate in Education (Ed. D) degree in Administration and Leadership (La Sierra University).

I was a distinguished military graduate of the AFROTC program at the University of Hawaii.

I was a Special Military Consultant in Healthcare Administration & Management to the Air Force Surgeon General.

I was the Outstanding Long Distance Runner in the State of Hawaii in l960.