Brigadier General Myles M. Nakatsu

January 24, 2025

Brig. Gen. Myles M. Nakatsu was appointed the deputy adjutant general on Sept. 15, 1988. Subsequent to his appointment, he served as the executive support officer to the adjutant general for nine years. He was promoted to brigadier general (Hawaii) on July 15, 1992.

Nakatsu enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1961. He completed the Hawaii Officer Candidate School in 1963 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1964. Initially assigned as an infantry platoon leader, he later served as company executive officer and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in 1967.

From 1967 to 1968, Nakatsu served as the aide-de-camp to the commanding general, Hawaii Army National Guard. From 1968 to 1971, he was assigned as the senior tactical officer at the Hawaii Officer Candidate School. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1969.

As a captain, he served as the assistant S-3 ( operations & training officer) for the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) from 1971 to 1973. His next assignment was as a training officer for the G-3 (operations & plans), Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Hawaii Army National Guard. He was promoted to the rank of major in 1974.

From 1976 to 1979, he served as operations officer on the adjutant general’s joint staff. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1978.

In 1979, he became the chief of staff of the adjutant general’s joint staff and was federally recognized as a colonel on May 5, 1981.

As a result of a reorganization in 1982, Nakatsu became the chief, Post Mobilization State Headquarters, and served in that capacity until his appointment as the deputy adjutant general in 1988.

Nakatsu’s decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit, Hawaii National Guard Commendation Medal, Hawaii National Guard Service Medal with 25-Year Service Bar, State Active Duty

Ribbon and Initial Active Duty Training Ribbon. His military affiliations include the U.S. Army War College Alumni Association, National Guard Association of the U.S. and Hawaii National Guard Association.

Nakatsu was born on July 18, 1938, and graduated from Hilo High School. He has a bachelors of education, professional teaching certificate and professional school administrator’s certificate from the University of Hawaii. He was a professional educator for many years and served as the principal of Ilima Intermediate School, Oahu, Hawaii.

He is married to the former Nancy Nakayama of Honolulu. They have a son and daughter, Lance and Shenann.

1985
Position Annoucement 1988
Promotion 1992
Legion of Merit 1994
Retirement 1994
Obituary 2010

Col. Myles M. Nakatsu

(Picture from the 1985 July – September Pūpūkahi)

Cols. Gerald J. Silva and Myles M. Nakatsu of the Hawaii Army National Guard graduated from War College this summer after several “arduous years” of corespondence courses.

Col. Silva is the HARNG Chief of Staff. Col. Nakatsu serves as the Executive Support Officer, Administrative Services Office.
– 1985 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 8

Nakatsu Named Deputy Adjutant General

Colonel Myles M. Nakatsu

(Picture from the 1988 July – September Pūpūkahi)

Colonel Myles M. Nakatsu has been appointed by Major General Alexis T. Lum, State Adjutant General, with the concurrence of Governor John Waihee, to be the Deputy Adjutant General of the Hawaii Department of Defense, effective September 15, 1988. Nakatsu has served as the Executive Support Officer to the adjutant general for the last nine years.

Hilo-born Nakatsu graduated from Hilo High School on the Big Island in 1956. He earned a Bachelor of Education in 1960 and professional certificates (fifth-year teaching degree, 1961, and School Administration, 1969) from the University of Hawaii.

His military education includes Officer Candidate School, 1964; Infantry Officers Courses (Basic, 1969; Advanced, 1973; and Command and Staff, 1975); Civil Emergency Management Course, 1977; Command and General Staff College, 1978; Organizational Effectiveness Managers Course; and U.S. Army War College, 1985.

Twenty-six years of State of Hawaii government service started at the Department of Education, first as a teacher and then as an administrator.

Nakatsu first taught at Waianae High and Intermediate School, later transferring to Campbell High School, where he taught, coached cross-country and track, and served as a counselor.

After completing the Administrative Intern Program, he became the vice principal at Ilima Intermediate School and eventually principal.

In 197[?], he joined the full-time state DoD staff. As the ESO, he managed the Administrative Services Office, which provides executive support, personnel, and financial administration for the DoD.

His military career spans over 27 years in the Hawaii Army National Guard, with assignments including platoon leader, aide-de-camp, senior tactical officer, training officer, chief of staff for the adjutant general, and presently chief of the post-mobilization state headquarters.

Nakatsu’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

He is married to the former Nancy Nakayama of Honolulu. They have two children, Lance and Shenann.
– 1988 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Hawaii National Guard’s Newest Generals

Nakatsu, Mizumoto Promoted

Brig. Gen. (Hawaii) Myles M. Nakatsu, deputy adjutant general, is congratulated on his promotion, Sept. 1, by Gov. John Waihee as Nakatsu’s wire, Nancy, looks on.

(Picture from the 1992 August – September Pūpūkahi)

Brig. Gen. (Hawaii) Myles M. Nakatsu, deputy adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Allen M. Mizumoto, commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG), were promoted this summer in separate ceremonies.

Nakatsu, 54, has served as the deputy adjutant general since 1988. He was promoted July 15 and pinned by Gov. John Waihee Sept. 1.

Nakatsu enlisted in the Guard as a medical corpsman in 1961 and received his commission from the Hawaii Military Academy three years later. His past assignments include aide-de-camp, senior tactical officer, and chief of staff for the adjutant general. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit.

. . .

Born and raised on the Big Island, Nakatsu graduated from Hilo High School and received a bachelor’s degree in education and teaching certificate from the University of Hawaii. He was a professional educator for many years and served as principal of Ilima Intermediate School until his appointment as the executive support officer to the adjutant general.

. . .

Nakatsu and his wife, Nancy, live in Aiea and have a son, Lance, and daughter, Shenann.
– 1992 August – September Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Two Top-Level Hawaii Army National Guard Officers Retire

By Deborah M.S. Murray

Brig. Gen. Myles M. Nakatsu

RETIREES — Brig. Gen. (HI) Myles M. Nakatsu and his wife Nancy (far right) pose with CoL Gerald Silva and his wife Sylvia.

(Picture from the 1994 November – December Pūpūkahi)

Nakatsu Remembers Challenges

For Brig. Gen. (Hawaii) Myles M. Nakatsu, success has come from having a supportive wife (Nancy Nakayama), family, and dedicated, committed staff members in the Hawaii National Guard.

This theme was reiterated throughout the deputy adjutant general’s comments during an interview with the Pupukahi, prior to his Dec. 31 retirement.

Nakatsu retired after over 33 years with the HING.

“I think this is a tremendous organization. The department has come a long way in the last four years,” he said, adding, “It is not going to be easy to do the things we have been doing with the current cutback of state and federal funds, and other resources, but I feel very confident that, with the caliber of people we have in our organization, we will find innovative ways to meet the challenges and maintain readiness for state and federal missions.”

Nakatsu’s tenure with the Hawaii Army National Guard goes back to 1961, when he enlisted. In 1963, he completed Officer Candidate School, receiving his commission in 1964, and was assigned as an infantry platoon leader. He later served as company executive officer. After making the rank of captain in 1969, he served as the assistant S-3 (operations and training officer) for the 29th Infantry Brigade from 1971 to 1973. Other positions held by Nakatsu include training officer for the G-3 (operations and plans) office, operations officer of the adjutant general’s joint staff, and chief of Post Mobilization State Headquarters.

While pondering his accomplishments, Nakatsu said that the staff has made his career with the Guard a very worthwhile experience and that his successes have resulted from the labors of a dedicated staff. He characterized some of his accomplishments as winning the designation of outstanding Officer Candidate School for three consecutive years—1969, 1970, and 1971—when he was the senior tactical officer at the Hawaii Military Academy; establishing the State Department of Defense Mobilization Plan; and developing the HING’s Youth Challenge Program.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve in this department and work with dedicated and committed people.”

In order to be successful, Nakatsu believes that an individual must be loyal to the organization and willing to spend extra hours to accomplish the mission.

During his career in the Guard, he learned a lot from such mentors as Brig. Gen. Edward Yoshimasu and Lt. Col. Manuel DeMello. From Yoshimasu, Nakatsu said he learned to show concern for the young soldiers and junior officers and that everyone is important. He looked up to DeMello because he always took the time to train the people under him. For these reasons, Nakatsu has incorporated similar qualities into his own management style.

Retirement plans for Nakatsu include resting and traveling.
– 1994 November – December Pūpūkahi pp. 3

In Memoriam

Brigadier Gen. (HI) Myles Nakatsu’s wife, Nancy, receives the American flag from Brig. Gen. Gary M. Hara, Hawaii Army National Guard commander, May 7, 2010, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. Master Sgt.-R Stephen M. Lum photo

Brig. Gen. Myles M. Nakatsu

(Pictures from the 2010 Annual Report)

Brigadier Gen. (Hawaii) Myles M. Nakatsu, 71, State of Hawaii Department of Defense deputy adjutant general from 1988 to 1994, passed away April 21, 2010. His 33 years of military service peaked with his appointment to DAG by Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum and concluded while serving under Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson.

Hilo-born Nakatsu graduated from Hilo High School in 1956 and went to college before joining the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Education in 1960 and Professional Certificates (fifth-year teaching degree, 1961, and School Administration, 1969) from the University of Hawaii. Three years after enlisting, he earned his commission as a second lieutenant through the Hawaii Military Academy.

Other military schools included Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and Staff, Civil Emergency Management, Command and General Staff College, Effectiveness Managers, and the U.S. Army War College.

His first 26 years of Hawaii State service began at the Department of Education, first as a teacher, then as an administrator. Nakatsu first taught at Waianae High and Intermediate School and later transferred to James Campbell High School, where he taught, coached cross country and track, and served as a counselor. After completing the Administrative Intern Program, he became vice principal and eventually principal at Ilima Intermediate School.

Nakatsu continued his full-time state service when he joined the Department of Defense staff as the executive support officer under Maj. Gen. Valentine A. Siefermann, Maj. Gen. Arthur U. Ishimoto, and Lum.

His military career took him from platoon leader, aide-de-camp, senior tactical officer, training officer, chief of staff for the adjutant general, and chief of post-mobilization state headquarters.

Education highlighted his military and civilian careers. The Hawaii Military Academy won the designation as outstanding Officer Candidate School for three consecutive years when he was the senior TAC. He was credited for implementing a team-teaching concept at Ilima that is today called the Middle School Wheel concept.

These experiences converged in 1994, when the Hawaii National Guard embraced the National Guard’s Youth Challenge program for teens. The alternative learning opportunity brought together military discipline and high school diploma requirements.

He is survived by his wife, the former Nancy Nakayama; son, Lance; daughter, Shennan; and two granddaughters.

After funeral services at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, he was interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl with full military honors on May 7, 2010.
– 2010 Annual Report pp. 40