Department of Defense

Brigadier General Myles M. Nakatsu was appointed the deputy adjutant general on September 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.

General 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, General 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, General Nakatsu became the chief, Post Mobilization State Headquarters, and served in that capacity until his appointment as the deputy adjutant general in 1988.

General 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 United States and Hawaii National Guard Association.

General 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.