Paul T. Mikolashek

Paul T. Mikolashek
Mikolashek as a brigadier general in 1994
Nickname(s)	P. T.
Born	(1947-11-24) November 24, 1947 (age 75) Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Service	United States Army
Years of service	1969–2005
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	United States Army Infantry Branch
Commands held	Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Office of Military Cooperation, Kuwait 3rd Training Brigade U.S. Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne) United States Army Central Inspector General of the United States Army
Wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2)
Alma mater	University of Akron Michigan State University Armed Forces Staff College United States Army War College
Spouse(s)	Janis Lee Pittinger ​ (m. 1969)​
Other work	Corporate executive International business consultant

Paul T. Mikolashek (born November 24, 1947) is a retired United States Army officer. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served from 1969 to 2005 and was Inspector General of the United States Army from 2002 to 2005. Mikolashek attained the rank of lieutenant general, and his awards and decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star Medal (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger tab, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.

Early life

Paul Thomas Mikolashek was born in Akron, Ohio, on November 24, 1947, ^[1] a son of Ferdinand P. Mikolashek and Helen (Schmida) Mikolashek. ^{[2] [3]} He grew up in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron and graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School in 1965. ^[4] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Akron in 1969. ^[5] While in college, Mikolashek participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and was a Distinguished Military Graduate. ^[1] After graduating he received his commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry. ^[1] In September 1969, Mikolashek married Janis Lee Pittinger of Akron. ^{[6] [7]}

Civilian and military education

Mikolashek's military education included the United States Army Airborne School, Ranger School, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and the Infantry Officer Advanced Course. ^[1] His advanced professional education included the Armed Forces Staff College and United States Army War College. ^[1] In 1982, Mikolashek received a Master of Arts degree in education administration from Michigan State University. ^[8]

Career

Mikolashek (left) receives the U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) colors from U.S. Central Command commander Tommy Franks in July 2000. Mikolashek succeeded Franks as ARCENT commander.

After completing his initial training, Mikolashek's first assignment was in West Germany as a platoon leader and assistant operations and training officer (Assistant S3) with the 1st Armored Division. ^[1] He is a master parachutist and during his career Mikolashek completed over 70 jumps. ^[1] He served as commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 327th Infantry, before assignment to 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment during the Vietnam War. ^[9] Mikolashek later served with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Team 73, and his Vietnam experience included defense of a fire base north of Biên Hòa and combat missions in the Mekong Delta. ^{[1] [9]}

Mikolashek's subsequent assignments included: secretary of the general staff for U.S. Army Japan and IX Corps; aide-de-camp, U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee; commander, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry; chief, Office of Military Cooperation, Kuwait; 3rd Training Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; chief of Staff, 24th Infantry Division; assistant division commander, 82nd Airborne Division; and commander, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne). ^{[1] [5]} At the start of Operation Enduring Freedom, Mikolashek commanded United States Army Central in Kuwait, where he was responsible for controlling ground force operations in Afghanistan. ^{[1] [9]}

U.S. Army Inspector General

From 2002 to 2005, Mikolashek served as the 61st Inspector General of the United States Army. ^[10] During his term, Mikolashek investigated the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse and similar incidents alleged to have occurred during the War on terror. ^[11] In 2004, he released a report indicating that misdeeds had resulted from poor organization and training and outdated policies, but that these concerns had not directly contributed to the abuses. ^[11] Mikolashek's report was the subject of controversy because his conclusions differed from those reached in an earlier inquiry by Major General Antonio Taguba, whose more critical report had been leaked to the news media before publication. ^[11]

Later career

After retiring from the army, Mikolashek became a corporate executive with Raytheon Technologies, serving as vice president and president of several divisions and subsidiaries until leaving the company in 2014. ^[12] Following his career at Raytheon, Mikolashek was employed as an international business consultant for NSI Inc., with his work focused on issues and opportunities in the Middle East. ^[12]

Awards and decorations

Mikolashek's major military awards and decorations included: ^{[1] [9]}

• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
• Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
• Air Medal
• Army Commendation Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters
• Army Achievement Medal
• Master Parachutist Badge
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Ranger tab
• Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
• Army Staff Identification Badge

In addition to his military awards, Mikolashek received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Akron. ^[5]

References

1. "Speaker's Biography, Lt. General Paul T. Mikolashek". Akron Roundtable.org. Akron, OH: Akron Roundtable. April 15, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
2. "Obituary, Helen M. Mikolashek". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, OH. December 30, 1982. p. D5 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Obituary, Ferdinand P. Mikolashek". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, OH. January 3, 1986. p. D6 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Hoban Alumni Association (2022). "Distinguished Alumni Award". Hoban.org. Akron, OH: Archbishop Hoban High School. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
5. "Biography, Paul T. Mikolashek". Distinguished Army ROTC Alumni. Akron, OH: University of Akron. 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
6. "Weddings: Pittinger-Mikolashek". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, OH. September 14, 1969. p. A15 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Mount Vernon thanks its sponsors". Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon, VA: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Spring 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
8. Commencement: 1982 Spring Term (PDF). East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University. 1982. p. 45.
9. Mrozek, Steven J. (2000). 82nd Airborne Division. Nashville, TN: Turner Publishing Company. p. 158. ISBN   978-1-5631-1364-2 – via Google Books.
10. Ruyle, Thomas (December 10, 2019). "Army IG system connects with past at birthday banquet". Army.mil. Washington, DC. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
11. Schmitt, Eric (July 23, 2004). "The Reach of War: Iraq Prison Scandal; Army Report Says Flaws in Detention Did Not Cause the Abuses at Abu Ghraib". The New York Times . New York, NY. p. A9. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
12. "Biography, Paul T. Mikolashek" (PDF). NSI Team.com. Boston, MA: NSI, Inc. 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2023.