Lt. Col. Melvin K. Matsui was a determined individual. He faced challenges professionally and personally but always tried to be honorable and do well. Melvin Matsui’s first act begins with the Vietnam war as he had joined the U.S Air Force where he served with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Takhli Air Base, Thailand.
On July 29, 1972 Melvin Matsui F-4 Phantom plane was shot down, and he was captured by North Vietnam. For 236 days, Melvin Matsui remained in captivity until 1973 when a prisoner of war repatriation effort took place. He received the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” for his heroic behavior and the Prisoner of War Medal.
“He didn’t talk much about his time in Vietnam but what he did share was about the comradery from the service members, the bond created through food,” said Melvin Matsui’s son Marc Matsui. Apparently, the food in Vietnam was not good, so the Airmen would make a feast with the food they received from back home, such as vienna sausage.
In 1974, Melvin Matsui started a new chapter by joining the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, as a Weapon Systems Officer who flew with the 199th Fighter Squadron. He stayed in the Guard for the next 22 years, ultimately retiring as commander of the 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron in 1996.
Marc Matsui recalled his father talking about his time with the Guard, “he was fond of the Guard and enjoyed most of the people he worked with.”
“He liked flying, it was hard to describe the experience though, which is probably why so many pilots bought sports cars after getting desk jobs,” Marc Matsui joked.
Melvin Matsui longest chapter was retirement, something not many are blessed with. He spent time with his kids and grandkids, and moved to Seattle in 2014 to be closer to them. He would play golf, go on road trips, watch Seahawk games and go to rock concerts.
“The last concert I went to with my dad was Bob Seger,” Marc Matsui said.
“One time we were on an Alaska cruise and had to disembark down this long gangway, the ship was offering wheelchairs, but my dad would not use them. I tried to convince him, but he was determined to walk down the gangway,” said Marc Matsui.
Determination was a theme in all stories about Melvin Matsui: from flying with the Guard with his back problems from his POW days, to refusing to use the handicap permit during his retirement.
Melvin Matsui was not perfect; his time in Vietnam gave him PTSD and his marriage of 20+ years ended in divorce, but he tried to mean well. One thing that really helped him was psychological support from the VA. When Marc Matsui’s sister got married, Melvin Matsui invited the VA psychologist to the wedding.
Marc Matsui had many great stories about his father, but what his father was able to do was “pass on the best parts of himself,” Marc said.
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