Joseph Donald Mirth

Brigadier General Joseph D. “Don” Mirth, USAF (Ret) passed away on May 27th, 2025after a long illness. Don was born March 1931 in Flint, MI. His parents were Joseph C. and Helen E. Foley Mirth.Don grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Calumet High School on the south side of Chicago,IL.

During the Korean War, while attending the University of Illinois the draft deferment rules changed, and he became eligible to be drafted into the Army. Instead, he volunteered for the U. S. AirForce’s Aviation Cadet Program. He never imagined what a wonderful, exciting life that decision would lead to. He earned his wings and was commissioned a USAF 2nd Lieutenant on 3 November 1953. His first assignment was as an instructor pilot at Vance AFB, Enid, OK. He loved flying and flew several different airplanes over the course of his career. Next, he was assigned to Oklahoma State University to finish his education. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master of Science Degrees in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. He then began an exciting period of 11 years launching the nation’s most highly classified space reconnaissance satellites which 3 Presidents said were instrumental in preventing World War 3. He participated in launches of programs such as Corona, Midas, Samos, E5, E6, Gambit 1 and 3, Hexagon and Snapshot. His responsibilities ran the gamut from Data Analyst to Launch Director and, subsequently, Chief of Satellite Section Engineering for the high-resolution photographic Gambit 3 Program. In June 1970. Don was assigned to the 7th AF headquarters at Tan Son Nhut AB in Saigon, Vietnam. He helped manage the electronic ground sensor program throughout Southeast Asia. His duties required him to travel to many different and sometimes remote places throughout Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore. Upon return to the US, Don attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces for one year. After graduation he was assigned to the new F-15 fighter office at Andrews AFB, MD. and was the spokesman for the program in the Washington, DC area. During that time, he became the 63rd person to fly the F-15 fighter. 

He met the love of his life, Alice Marie Lacey Hunt, while they both worked at Andrews AFB. They were married in a rose garden in Williamsburg, VA. The newlyweds and their combined family of 6 children moved across the US to Vandenberg AFB, CA where Don returned to the space business. He served as the Vice Commander of the Space and Missile Test Organization for 2 years. In 1978, he was assigned to Space Division, Los Angeles AFS where he became the DOD Director of the Space Shuttle program and the Deputy for Space Launch. His responsibilities included building and activating the Space Shuttle Launch facilities at Vandenberg AFB, CA (SLC-6), the Consolidated Space Operations Center in Colorado Springs, CO. and several other Space Shuttle related facilities around the country. He also had management responsibility for all rocket boosters and upper stages that the Air Force used. He was the 53rd person to be inducted into the official Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame and is a veteran of more than 200 space and missile launches.

General Mirth retired from the Air Force in 1982 after almost 30 years of service to his country. His medals and awards include the DOD and NASA Distinguished Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, 4 AF Commendation Medals, 5 Vietnam Service Medals and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross. He was a Command Pilot with over 3500 flying hours and a Master Missileman. 

Following his retirement from the AF Don worked for United Technologies Corporation for the next 12 years. Initially, he was the radar system Program Manager for the Joint Stars program. He later became the Senior VP for Advanced Engineering and Technology and, ultimately, took over as the VP in charge of Florida Operations for USBI Co. at Kennedy Space Center, FL. That organization was the 4th largest contractor at KSC, and they had responsibility for the systems integration and refurbishment of major elements of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters. He retired from that position in January 1994.

Don loved to travel and was able to visit all the continents including Antarctica. He made 2 separate trips around the world, visited more than 82 countries, saw the 7 wonders of the world and enjoyed many other exciting places and cultures. He loved to dance with Alice, snow and water ski, golf and play baseball and basketball. Don was a Junior Achievement volunteer teacher in Brevard County, FL schools for more than 25 years. He was the co-outstanding teacher for 2006. Don was a loving husband, father, stepfather and grandfather with a good sense of humor. He lived by the golden rule and treated others with respect and courtesy.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Alice Marie Mirth; 2 sons, David Bradley (Lori) and Scott Thomas Mirth (Darla);3 stepchildren, Alice Lacey, Caroline Lee and John Henry Hunt (Grace), 9 grandchildren, Kaitlyn Taylor (Nathan); Alysen Palmer (Chad); John Mirth; Frankie Sexton (Derek); Danyelle Kluge; Rachael and Joseph Dylan Mirth (Kyah); Thomas and Audrey Mirth; and Tyler Hunt (Jenny). Great grandchildren; Ryker Don Trostle, Alysen and Hazel Symonette, June and Harvey Palmer, Bea Taylor, and J. Brayden Mirth. He is also survived by his sister, Dolores F. Ellingsen and her wonderful family of 6 children and 22 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first son Joseph Michael Mirth, and beloved brother-in-law Robert Ellingsen.

Don really enjoyed his retirement years at Suntree Country Club. He made many new friends, loved the Friday night laugh fests and enjoyed many good times on the beautiful golf courses.

A Funeral Mass will take place at 12 noon on Thursday June 5, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Viera. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to either St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or a charity of your choosing.