Decorated Veteran Miguel Encinias Dies at 92; Fought in 3 Wars

Miguel Encinias, a Las Vegas, N.M., native who fought in three wars and received three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the second-highest decoration for valor in combat, died peacefully in his sleep Saturday. He was 92.

His son and daughter said he died of natural causes in an Albuquerque nursing home.

One of New Mexico's most decorated war veterans, Encinias served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War and was a former prisoner of war. He later helped oversee the creation of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"He was a very quiet, humble man who didn't speak much -- unless he had to give a speech," said Ralph Arellanes, whose father and uncles grew up with Encinias in Las Vegas in the 1930s. "He never spoke ill of the Germans or the Japanese or anybody he fought. As he said, 'They were just defending their country and fighting for what they believed in.'"

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