Ming Erh Chang — Chinese-born U.S. Navy officer and Department of the Navy Inspector General

Career in the U.S. Navy

Over a 34-year naval career, Chang advanced through positions that combined technical knowledge, administrative responsibility, and policy oversight. In 1987 he was appointed Department of the Navy Inspector General, a role that centers on independent audits, investigations, and evaluations designed to promote efficiency, prevent fraud or abuse, and ensure compliance with law and policy. The Inspector General post requires coordination across commands and a broad view of organizational risk and performance.

• Length of service: 34 years in the U.S. Navy.
• Senior leadership: held high-level oversight and management duties within the Department of the Navy.
• Inspector General responsibilities: audits, investigations, and recommendations to improve operations.

Post‑naval career and activities

After retiring from active duty, Chang moved into executive positions in the defense and international business sectors. He served as vice president and corporate director for the Pacific region at Raytheon International, a global defense contractor, and later became president of MEC International, LLC. These roles drew on his experience with military systems, international relations, and program oversight.

• Raytheon International — vice president and corporate director, Pacific region.
• MEC International, LLC — president, leading consulting and business development efforts.

Chang's post‑naval work exemplifies a common path for senior military officers who apply operational knowledge and government experience to private‑sector management, especially in companies engaged with defense and international markets.

He died on October 3, 2017, in McLean, Virginia, from complications of Parkinson's disease. The place of his passing was reported as McLean, Virginia. Chang's life is often noted as an example of an immigrant who rose to prominent positions in American military and corporate institutions, and his career continues to be cited in discussions about leadership, oversight, and the relationship between public service and the defense industry.

For readers seeking further biographical details or primary records, consult official Department of Defense or naval archives and historical summaries of naval Inspector General activities. Additional context about his birthplace and cultural background can be found in sources that discuss Shanghai's history and the experiences of Chinese emigrants to the United States in the mid‑20th century (Shanghai).