Juan H. Migia

Final Flight on June 27, 2012

Juan H Migia, Lt. Col., USAF, Ret. age 78, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, took his final “flight home” on Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 after a heroic battle with colon cancer.

Born in Kapaa, Kauai , Hawaii on April 7, 1934, he was the son of the late Atanasio and Magdalena Migia. In Kapaa, Kauai, he graduated from elementary school and went on to Mid-Pacific High School where he enjoyed running track. He maintained life long friendships with his Mid-Pac classmates.

After studying at the University of Colorado he transferred to Colorado State College after meeting his first wife, Audrey Leong, through the Hawaiian Club at CSC. His studies focused on USAF ROTC, in preparation for his military career. After earning a BA in Chemistry, he joined the Air Force, and became a helicopter pilot. He served two tours in Vietnam as a rescue pilot with the 38th ARRS, flying the USAF HH-43 “Pedro” Huskie. He was 13th Detachment Commander at Phu Cat AB. Later he was awarded a medal by the Japanese government, for rescuing 16 Japanese from a river during a Typhoon while stationed at Tachikawa AB, Japan . Some notable aircraft that Jay flew were the H-19, HH-43B, T-33 and the T-39. "Lt Col Jay" served with AF Intelligence, Offutt AFB, as commander of USAF Postal Units in the Far East. He retired from the USAF in 1984, following his last assignment as Chief of the Command Post at Kirtland AFB. After retirement he attended Vo-Tech classes in Albuquerque NM, and later rebuilt a Hurricane Iniki damaged house on Kapaa, Kauai . He moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1996 to help his daughter Donni and son-in-law Rick, build their home. Jay will always be remembered as a 28 year USAF Veteran who took great pride in his service. He wore command pilot wings on his USAF ball cap and carried the Pedro HH-43 insignia on his license plate frame. One of his notable rescues “The Third Pedro” is captured at this link:                                                       http://www.casperplatoon.com/Casper%20721%20is%20down.htm

Jay’s awards include: Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star; Air Medal with Eleven Oak Leaf Clusters; AF Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Star.

Jay is survived by: ex-wife, Audrey Suddith, ex-wife June Faron; daughter, Donni Weaver of Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Jodi Wolf of Las Vegas, NV; son, Jon Migia of Honolulu, HI; three grandchildren: Kristine Lizer, James Migia and David Wolf, and three great-grandchildren: Ahri, Azriel and Xyryn. His sister is the late, Pacifica King.

An Honors Funeral service will be held at Punchbowl - National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii on Friday, August 3rd, 2012 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Lt. Col. Juan H. Migia, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 6280 S Valley View Ste 342, Las Vegas , NV 89118 . Tel 702.436.4220 Fax 702.436.2396

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

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