Asian and Pacific Islander Americans made great strides in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as more officers attained flag rank. In 1980, Ming Chang was promoted to Rear Admiral. He is believed to be the first naturalized Asian-American to achieve flag rank. For his last tour in 1990, he served as Inspector General of the Navy. Another successful Asian and Pacific Islander American is Captain Tem. Bugarin, USN, who became the first Filipino to assume command of a surface ship, USS Sagina (LST-1188) in August 1989. During this period, Vice-Admiral Robert K. U. Kihune was promoted and became the first Hawaiian to achieve that rank.

Additional information - Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in the U.S. Navy, 2000-Present

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Photo #: NH 106872 Brigadier General Vincente T. Blaz, USMC Born in Guam, Brigadier General Blaz lived there during the Japanese occupation during WWII. Joining the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1951, he attained the rank of Brigadier General in 1980. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 65KB; 710 x 925
Photo #: DN-SC-83-03635 (Color) Rear Admiral Ming Chang, USN Rear Admiral Chang is believed to be the first foreign-born, naturalized American to command a U.S. warship. In 1980, he was the first naturalized Asian-American to be promoted to flag rank. Chang served for thirty-four years in the U.S. Navy before retiring in his post as Inspector General of the Navy during his last tour in the early 1990s. Photographed by PH2 Dunigan. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 225KB; 730 x 925
Photo #: DN-SC-87-02469 (Color) Rear Admiral Haruto Yamanouchi, MC, USN Photographed by PH3 Ira Evans, September 1986. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 110KB; 720 x 925
Photo #: DN-SC-95-02080 (Color) Captain Tem E. Bugarin, USN Captain Bugarin was the first Filipino to assume command of a surface ship, USS Saginaw (LST-1188) in August 1989, he was a Commander at that time. Photograph was taken in May 1995 at Defense Still Media Center, Anacostia, Washington D.C. by Mr. Don S. Montgomery. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 100KB; 655 x 925
Photo #: DN-SC-93-01240 (Color) Rear Admiral Melvin H. Chiogioji, CEC, USN Rear Admiral Chiogioji served as Commander, Second Naval Construction Brigade and Commander, First Naval Construction Brigade in the early1990s. He graduated from Purdue University in 1961 and served as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer during his career. Chiogioji also has a Master's Degree from the University of Hawaii and a Doctorate from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Photographed by Mr. Richard L. Oasen, 1993. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 61KB; 725 x 925
Photo #: DN-SC-87-10639 (Color) Vice Admiral Robert K. U. Kihune, USN A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Vice Admiral Kihune was the first Hawaiian Vice Admiral. After serving thirty-five years, Kihune retired in 1994. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 247KB; 625 x 925

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