NVC Foundation Japanese American Memorial Wall

Born October 11, 1935, to Akiko and Seiichi Yoshinaka. Early years were spent in Eastern Washington, on farms along the East bank of the Columbia river, near Connell. Moved to Moses Lake and when his father was returned from Relocation Camp in 1945, the family moved to Seattle. There he attended Bailey Gatzert Grade School, Washington Jr. High School, and graduated from Garfield High School in 1953. Graduated from the University of Washington in 1957 with a BS in Chemical Engineering; and received his commission in the Air Force via the ROTC program. Entered active duty in December 1959. Received his wings after completing Primary Flight Training, Malden AB, MO. and Basic Pilot Training, Laredo AFB, TX. in 1960. This was followed by assignments to Moody AFB, GA. for F-86 training and to Williams AFB, AZ. where he was assigned as an Instructor Pilot. Subsequent assignments were to Randolph AFB, TX. where he was assigned as an Instructor Pilot Instructor and as an Academic Instructor. He was assigned to the AFIT program where he obtained his MS in Industrial Engineering from SMU in Dallas, TX. Upon graduating from SMU, he married Gloria K. Hikida in 1966. He completed transition training in the F-4 aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ. enroute to assignment in Southeast Asia. There he flew F-4 aircraft while assigned to the 497th TFS, 8th TFW, at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. Upon completion of this assignment, he was assigned to the 80th TFS at Yokota AB, Japan. While stationed at Yokota AB, he fathered Thomas Derek in October 1970. As he had completed training for Wild Weasel operations, he was sent to the 67th TFS at Kadena AB, Okinawa. Subsequent assignments were to HQ TAC, Langley AFB, VA; HQ AAFCE (NATO), Ramstein AB, FRG; 526 TFS, Ramstein AB, FRG; Salty Control HQ USAFE, Ramstein AB, FRG; and HQ USAF, Pentagon, Wash. DC. He received a promotion to Colonel, but elected to retire instead as a Lt. Col. in 1979. During his AF career, he was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 17 Air Medals, and numerous unit and service awards and commendations. He worked for Boeing Military and Boeing Commercial until retiring in 1998. His primary enjoyment was in flying and in trying to play golf.