Governor Ben Cayetano has appointed retired Army Brigadier General Irwin K. Cockett, a Kaua’i native, as the director of the state’s Office of Veterans’ Services. Cockett fills the position that was vacated by former director Walter M. Ozawa, who retired
Governor Ben Cayetano has appointed retired Army Brigadier General Irwin K. Cockett, a Kaua’i native, as the director of the state’s Office of Veterans’ Services.
Cockett fills the position that was vacated by former director Walter M. Ozawa, who retired effective Monday.
Cockett will asssume his new duties next Wednesday.
Cayetano said Cockett “is a highly decorated and highly respected soldier who had a brilliant career in the Army and later in the Hawai’i National Guard. He has shown a commitment to serving his fellow former Hawai’i servicemen through his community activities since retiring from the military.”
Cockett most recently served as the chairman of the Old Soldiers Reunion Association, whose annual reunion was held for the first time last summer on Kaua’i.
The Office of Veterans’ Services is responsible for the development and management of policies and programs related to veterans, their dependants and survivors.
Cockett, an alumnus of Roosevelt and Kamehameha high schools, was an infantryman in the Korean War and served three combat tours in the Vietnam War.
His decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts, 22 Air medals and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star (twice).
Staff writer Dennis Wilken contributed to this report.
