Millennium Magazine_7th Ed

169 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY F rom building model airplanes at the age of 9, Robert C. Mikesh has always boasted a love for aviation. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and subsequently advanced through the grades to major by 1963. Retiring from the military in 1970, he received a Decorated Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, as well as an Air Medal with Thirteen Oak Leaf Clusters. Despite his military retirement, Mr. Mikesh has continued his passion for aviation through his personal and professional endeavors. Beginning in 1970, Mr. Mikesh served the Smithsonian Institution in Washington as a curator of the National Air and Space Museum. Retiring in 1991, he was also the senior curator of aeronautics for eight years. Since that time, he has been the owner and manager of R. Mikesh & Associates in Temple Hills, Maryland, where he has aided people in the publication of their own projects. Likewise, he has maintained affiliation with the advisory board of the U.S. Air Force Museum and the board of directors of the WWI Aero Publication. Known as a “jack of all trades,” Mr. Mikesh is also an accomplished author, having written more than 23 books and contributed more than 140 articles to professional journals. Most recently authoring “Restoring Museum Aircrafts” in 1997, other notable books to his credit have included “Martin B-57 Canberra: The Complete Record,” “Zero: Japan’s Legendary Fighter,” “Broken Wings of the Samurai,” “Moonlight Interceptor,” “B-57 Canberra at War, 1964-1972,” “Excalibur III: A Story of a P-51 Mustang” and “Zero Fighter,” among myriad other books. They can all be purchased on Amazon.com . Mr. Mikesh is a licensed private pilot and in his spare time, he enjoys flying planes, writing about aviation, building airplane models and photography. His career highlight has been marrying his late wife, Ramona Louise Barton, on April 10, 1950, who has served as an everlasting inspiration and beacon of support. Likewise, he has two sons, Michael and Christopher, as well as eight grandchildren. Millennium Magazine Featured Listee ROBERT C. MIKESH AVIATION HISTORIAN, WRITER, MUSEUM CONSULTANT Smithsonian Institution Silver Spring, MD