Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawai'ian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Eric Shinseki, first Asian American four-star general

Eric Shinseki was born November 28, 1942 in Lihue, Kaua'i, Hawai'ian territory to a family of Japanese ancestry.  His grandparents emigrated from Hiroshima to Hawai'i in 1901. 

Taking inspiration from his uncles, he graduated from the US Military Academy in 1965 and was commissioned as second lieutenant.  He served two tours in the Vietnam War.  The first was with the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions as an artillery observer; and then as commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 5th Calvary. 

He was injured by a land mine, but recovered and returned to active duty in 1971. For his service, he was awarded three Bronze Star Medals and two Purple Hearts.

He became the first Asian American four-star general.  In 2009, the US Senate unanimously confirmed Shinseki as the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, becoming the first Asian American to hold the position.  He resigned in 2014 after a scandal involving the Veteran Health Administration.  

Celebrating Black History Month: Douglas Wilder, first African American governor of Virginia

Douglas Wilder, born on January 17, 1931 in Richmond, Virginia, became the first African-American governor of Virginia and the first since the Reconstruction era.  He served from January 1990 until January 1994.  

He is the grandson of slaves and graduated from Virginia Union University with a degree in chemistry in 1951.  He served in the US Army in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill.