JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING — Lieutenant General Kenneth A. Minihan served as DIA director from September 1995 to February 1996 before transitioning to serve as the National Security Agency director.
Minihan completed Squadron Officer School in 1972 after receiving a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Florida State University in 1966. After earning his commission as a second lieutenant, Minihan quickly began his career in intelligence. His first assignment was as an intelligence plans officer with Tactical Air Command in their headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Over the course of his career, he filled various intelligence roles, such as a target intelligence officer, command briefer and legislative liaison. He was stationed in Vietnam, Italy, Panama, and across the United States.
It was during his time as a legislative liaison officer that Minihan first joined DIA in December 1979. He remained in that position until September 1981 when he left to lead the Office of Support to Military Operations and Plans at NSA.
During his tenure as DIA director, the Defense Human Intelligence Service, or DHS, became operational in October 1995. DHS consolidated the human intelligence activities of all the services under DIA. Separately, during this time, the Agency was designated as the Intelligence Community’s executive agent for measurement and signature intelligence.
Minihan is remembered as a vocal champion of DIA’s mission and supportive of our global workforce. The Defense Intel Alumni Association honored him in a social media post saying he always followed his life’s mission: to keep the nation safe, strong and ready.
Minihan received many awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with service star, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, their three children and their grandchildren. We thank Lieutenant General Minihan for his service to DIA, to the Intelligence Community and to the Nation.