Paul T. Mikolashek

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, a son of Ferdinand P. Mikolashek and Helen (Schmida) Mikolashek. He grew up in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron and graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School in 1965. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Akron in 1969. While in college, Mikolashek participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and was a Distinguished Military Graduate.

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.

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. 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. During his term, Mikolashek investigated the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse and similar incidents alleged to have occurred during the war on terror. In 2004, he released a report indicating that misdeeds had resulted from poor organization and training and outdated policies, but that these concerns had not directly contributed to the abuses. 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.

Awards and decorations Mikolashek's major military awards and decorations included:

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.