Colonel Ishikata was born February 22, 1962, in Chicago, IL and grew up in San Francisco, CA. He attended Lowell High School, graduated San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in speech and communications studies, and later earned a master’s degree in military arts and sciences from the Army Command and General Staff College. Colonel Ishikata spent his career in the California Army National Guard and US Army as a Military Intelligence officer, both in the National Guard and in key positions in Washington DC and overseas. Upon retiring from the Army, George started a second career as a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco, and later assumed the role of Director of Army Instruction for the San Francisco JROTC Brigade.
Colonel Ishikata joined the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) in 1977 at Lowell High School. As a cadet he participated in the winning competitive Drill Platoon, spending many hours in after-school drill practice. He rose in leadership ranks to serve as a Company Commander in Lowell’s Battalion. Colonel Ishikata stayed at Lowell for several years, serving as an Assistant Instructor to his mentor, Sergeant Major Mack Yoshida.
Colonel Ishikata commissioned into the California Army National Guard as a Military Police officer in 1985. He served in the 49th Military Police Brigade, 100th Troop Command and 40th Infantry Division, and commanded the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist). Colonel Ishikata deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo, with his final duty at the Pentagon, retiring in 2015.
As a leader in the San Francisco JROTC community, George did much more than mentor cadets. He fought continually to keep JROTC in San Francisco high schools, and worked tirelessly to improve the experience cadets received at activities. He worked with the veteran community and with San Francisco politicians to both enhance the JROTC program and ensure its survival.
His accomplishments are numerous, including being the recipient of two Defense Superior Service Medals, the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal, as well as five Meritorious Service Medals. Other military honors include the Federal Asian/Pacific American Council Meritorious Service Award, which he received in 2006.
Colonel Ishikata passed away of natural causes on December 30, 2021, in San Francisco, CA. He left a legacy among JROTC and CAP cadets who will continue to develop their own leadership identities and live up to the values Colonel Ishikata set of service, loyalty, and integrity.
Colonel Ishikata joined the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) in 1977 at Lowell High School. As a cadet he participated in the winning competitive Drill Platoon, spending many hours in after-school drill practice. He rose in leadership ranks to serve as a Company Commander in Lowell’s Battalion. Colonel Ishikata stayed at Lowell for several years, serving as an Assistant Instructor to his mentor, Sergeant Major Mack Yoshida.
Colonel Ishikata commissioned into the California Army National Guard as a Military Police officer in 1985. He served in the 49th Military Police Brigade, 100th Troop Command and 40th Infantry Division, and commanded the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist). Colonel Ishikata deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo, with his final duty at the Pentagon, retiring in 2015.
As a leader in the San Francisco JROTC community, George did much more than mentor cadets. He fought continually to keep JROTC in San Francisco high schools, and worked tirelessly to improve the experience cadets received at activities. He worked with the veteran community and with San Francisco politicians to both enhance the JROTC program and ensure its survival.
His accomplishments are numerous, including being the recipient of two Defense Superior Service Medals, the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal, as well as five Meritorious Service Medals. Other military honors include the Federal Asian/Pacific American Council Meritorious Service Award, which he received in 2006.
Colonel Ishikata passed away of natural causes on December 30, 2021, in San Francisco, CA. He left a legacy among JROTC and CAP cadets who will continue to develop their own leadership identities and live up to the values Colonel Ishikata set of service, loyalty, and integrity.
Memorial of Colonel Ishikata:
RSVP Link: Memorial Service for Colonel Ishikata
Click the link above to RSVP
Memorial Date: Saturday, January 29th, 2022 at 10:00 PST
Location: California Army National Guard (100 Armory Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132)
In lieu of flowers, please donate to "Remember George Ishikata by Supporting JROTC"
Contact for information: LTC Doug Bullard ([email protected]) or LTC Wayne Brown ([email protected])
Location: California Army National Guard (100 Armory Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132)
In lieu of flowers, please donate to "Remember George Ishikata by Supporting JROTC"
Contact for information: LTC Doug Bullard ([email protected]) or LTC Wayne Brown ([email protected])