National Governors Association

Born: January 31, 1941
Died: April 19, 1993
Birth State: South Dakota
Party: Republican
Family: Married Linda McCahren; three children
Religion: Methodist
School(s): University of South Dakota

Periods in Office:	From:	January 6, 1987
	To:	April 19, 1993

Died in Office
Relation to Another Governor:

Son of South Dakota Gov. George Mickelson

State Web Site

Military Service: Army

War(s) Served: Vietnam War

Honors/Awards: Army Commendation, Vietnam Service Medals

GEORGE S. MICKELSON was born in Mobridge, South Dakota. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1963 and his law degree in 1965 from the University of South Dakota. He attained the rank of captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He went on to become Assistant Attorney General of South Dakota, special prosecutor in the Attorney General’s office, Brookings County State’s Attorney. In addition, he served in the South Dakota House of Representatives, where he was elected Speaker. As governor he worked to improve education, increase the minimum wage, promote health care reform, and solve water issues. He also created the Revolving Economic Development and Initiative Fund. Mickelson was killed in a plane crash during his second gubernatorial term.

Sources:

Governors' Portraits of South Dakota

South Dakota State Historical Society

Governors of the American States, Commonwealths and Territories, National Governors Association, 1993.