Born in Hawaii, Ellison Shoji Onizuka was a distinguished military graduate of the University of Colorado who received a U.S. Air Force commission. Lt. Col. Onizuka entered active duty in January 1970 as an aerospace engineer at the Sacramento Air Logistics Center. In 1975, Col. Onizuka became a squadron flight test officer and led the engineering support section at Edwards Air Force Base. This work led him to become, in 1978, a NASA Mission Specialist. Col. Onizuka was part of the support team for the first two shuttle missions and joined the Discovery crew in flight in 1985. He was one of seven crew members aboard space shuttle Challenger when it exploded on lift off January 28, 1986. Col. Onizuka posthumously received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2004, bestowed on individuals who perish during flight.

*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events.

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

NCA Notable Person -- Ellison Shoji Onizuka.pdf

ELLISON SHOJI ONIZUKA

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