Thomas Mikolajcik
Brigadier General Thomas Roy Mikolajcik (August 17, 1947 – April 17, 2010) was director of transportation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, logistics, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. He provided guidance and direction to Air Force activities on transportation plans, policy and programs. Also included is the movement of Air Force-sponsored passengers, patients, personal property (household goods, unaccompanied baggage, privately owned vehicles, mobile homes and weapons), and cargo by all modes of commercial and military carriers.
Thomas Roy Mikolajcik | |
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 Brigadier General Thomas R. Mikolajcik | |
| Born | August 17, 1946 Norwich, Connecticut |
| Died | April 17, 2010 Charleston County, South Carolina |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1969-1996 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Cold War Operation Restore Hope |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (3) Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Carmen Heft |
| Relations | Teofila Wasbiewski Mikolajcik (mother), Roy Mikolajcik (father) |
General Mikolajcik was a 1969 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He completed pilot training in 1970, and served as a C-141 pilot, instructor, aircraft commander, war plans officer, current operations officer, mobility project officer, and adviser to the chief of staff for airlift and logistics policy. He held several staff positions including as a member of the C-X taskforce that wrote the requirements for the C-17 Globemaster III. He also served as squadron commander, wing vice commander and commander of two wings. Additionally, he was the U.S. Air Force component commander in Somalia from December 1992 to March 1993 during Operation Restore Hope. He was a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours.
General Mikolajcik retired from military service on October 1, 1996.
The Mikolajcik Child Development Center at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina and the Mikolajcik Engineering Laboratory Center at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR) in Charleston are named in his honor.
Awards and decorations
Mikolajcik's awards include the Legion of Merit (two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters). He was also honored with the 1993 Norwich Native Son Award.[1]
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Legion of Merit with two Oak leaf clusters |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
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Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters |
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Aerial Achievement Medal |
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters |
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Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters |
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Combat Readiness Medal |
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National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster |
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Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars |
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster |
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon |
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Air Force Training Ribbon |
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
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Vietnam Campaign Medal |
References
- "Brig. Gen. Thomas Mikolajcik - 1993 Norwich Native Son - Norwich Rotary Events". Norwich Rotary Events. 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
- Bio at AF.MIL at the Wayback Machine (archived February 9, 2004)
- A newsletter describing the center named for him