Welcome To the Veterans Spotlight Column
“These collections of priceless interviews are more than historical accounts - they are personal testaments to courage, teamwork, sacrifice, resilience and leadership under the most difficult circumstances - War. The stories shared, the deepest, darkest and haunting, have never been spoken of by the men and women that have served our country. Read these with an open heart and especially, a deep sense of gratitude for the sacrifices and commitment these men and women have made to protecting our great country.”
-Wayne Soares
George Woolfe
I was immediately impressed with the manner in which this week’s Veteran’s Spotlight Feature greeted me. At 94 years young, I found George Woolfe to be engaging, affable, and a man that has carried himself with immeasurable class throughout his life. Born in Harrisburg, PA he grew up in Manhattan and later received his degree from Columbia University. Mr. Woolfe’s father, Irving (known to everyone as “Ike”) was a decorated flyer in WWI.
Mr. Woolfe enlisted in the United States Air Force at eighteen and a half and served his country in WWII from 1942-1945 and is credited with an amazing 47 missions flown (his bomber group, miraculously lost only one plane which was due to inclement weather). He was sent to basic training in Atlantic City, NJ where he and fellow airmen lived in hotels that served as barracks and underwent the many arduous tasks of their training. Airman Woolfe’s first assignment was at Albright College in Reading, PA for the Army Air Corps. At the time, there was an intense demand for pilots, navigators and bombardiers. Airman Woolfe displayed exceptional aptitude by scoring 9 out of 9 on his navigation test. His flight training was at Maxwell Field in Alabama where he became a pilot and flew a Piper Cub. “It was a little scary, but exciting” he recalled. Because the Army Air Corps. Had greatly exceeded their demand, many pilots got “washed out” and airman Woolfe was sent to Navigator School in Coral Gables, FL at the University of Miami for around 4 months. He then went to Aerial Gunner School. “It was quite interesting. I had never fired a gun before” he remembered. He was assigned to the west coast and spent 6 weeks in Lemoore, CA then was shipped to the South Pacific as part of the 39th Bomber Group.
Airman Woolfe flew in B-24’s called “The Liberator” and flew bombing missions over Japanese strongholds of the Phillipines, Leytde and Palawan. He recalled his first frightening experience when his plane landed on Mindoro Island. “We were unloading supplies and refueling when a mass of Japanese Kamikaze’s came out of the sky and began dropping bombs on us. We all hit the ground. Our P-38’s took to the air to engage and shot down 10 of 12 planes” he said proudly. When asked about the holidays overseas, airman Woolfe quickly replied, “What Holidays? We had no place to go. We were all hoping to get leave and go to Australia but it didn’t happen. We saw some pretty decent entertainment though, USO type shows.”
He also shared a very haunting memory that he still has trouble with -- the loss of a very good friend. “We were coming back from a bombing mission and hit extremely bad weather. We had a squadron of six B-24’s. We were told to drop down significantly below the storm, about 500ft. off the water. One of the planes was piloted by my closest friend, Earl Ellsworth. Really good guy from Maine. He peeled off to the left instead of right and smashed right into a mountain.” When asked if he still had trouble with it, Airman Woolfe took a moment and replied soflty, “yup. We were close. We hung out all the time. The toughest thing I’ve ever had to do was go back to Maine after my discharge and tell his parents that he wasn’t coming back.” The memory still pains him after all these years.
Throughout the 47 bombing missions and tragedy that engulfed him during his service, airman Woolfe did recall one of the very few beautiful moments of his service. “We were returning from a bombing mission in New Guinea. We landed on an island that the air force had control of. There were no barracks so at night, we slept on the beach. I watched the full moon rise right out of the water. Amazing! It’s a moment that I will never forget” he remembered. He also shared a memory of significance after receiving news of the Japanese surrender. “We were spending our first night back at base when the air raid siren sounded. One Japanese plane attacked as we moved to battle stations. Our planes went up and shot him down but we lost one pilot in that senseless attack” he said sadly. When asked his overall feeling on his service he exclaimed, “your main concern during war time is how you can get the hell out of it. It was an extremely good experience for me. I was very lucky.” Airman Woolfe, who projected humility throughout our conversation, received five battle stars, five air medals and an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Airman George Woolfe, thank you for your service to our great country.
John Harding
John Harding II served his country with honor and distinction from 1991 – 2018 in The United States Marine Corps. AND The United States Army, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. He grew up in East Boston and Wilmington, MA and graduated from Arlington Catholic High School. I asked him the driving force for his wanting to enlist and he offered this. “I was well aware of the sacrifices of those who went before me…..I had to serve to honor those men and women and give back” he said.
What was basic training like? “I loved the USMC OCS (Officer Candidate School) in Quantico, VA after Norwich University. Loved the no-nonsense training and the espirit de corps of the United States Marine Corps. Lt. Colonel’s 1st assignment of his (28) years of service would be as a lawyer/judge advocate and would end as an infantry officer. He would spend (20) years as a Marine and (8) with the United States Army. He would have (4) combat deployments - (2) in Iraq and (2) in Afghanistan as well as an amazing (13) operational tours throughout the Pacific and Europe.
I asked Lt. Colonel Harding if he was ever afraid and he responded with this. “I was never afraid of anything as I always prayed Psalm 91.” He continued and spoke about why he served in the Marines and Army. “The Marines have the highest standards, but the Army gave me the opportunity for a regular (vice versa) commission and retirement so I service-transferred as a Lt. Colonel from the United States Marine Corps. to the United States Army….It was great blessing as I continued to serve in my same capacity, but received a full retirement much earlier than I would have as a reservist” he said.
How were the holidays? “I always stayed close to my family and loved my service so much that being away was tolerable…..somebody had to be serving and I was happy to be able to do so” he recalled. I asked Lt. Colonel Harding of a mentor and he shared several. “I was blessed with great mentors in both the USMC and the Army…Colonel Matt Matter, USA, Father (Commander) Dennis Rocheford, USA, and Lt. Colonel David Reintjes, USMC……they were great men who guided me along the way” he remembered. When asked what he would consider his greatest achievement in service, he responded with this powerful statement; “The greatest honor was returning the late LCpl Marc Lucas Tucker, USMC who died in Iraq, to his family in Pontotoc, MS….I gave a speech at the town’s memorial service and hopefully helped them recover from their great loss….the family and I still stay in touch” he remembered. Who was the person that he looked up to most in life? “I most look up to my faithful Father who worked so tirelessly to provide for our family growing up….he remains a great source of guidance and wisdom” he said with pride. Lt. Colonel Harding shared this story. “My most memorable part of service were the years I spent as a military advisor in Afghanistan while also working as a mediator between the Taliban and our US / NATO Command and US Government…..I worked with many great Afghan men, one of which I was able, with the great help of Congressman Richard Neal, to rescue out of Afghanistan (along with his family) after our withdrawal. I’m forever grateful to Congressman Neal for his dedicated assistance with rescuing that family when all other politicians failed to answer my call. He is married to his wife Min Sun Kim and they have three beautiful children.
Lt. Colonel John Harding II, thank you for your service to our great country.
Dr. Roger Landry
Dr. Roger Landry served his country from 1973 – 1995 in The United States Air Force with honor and distinction as a Chief Flight Surgeon, retiring as a Colonel. He grew up in Worcester, MA (Grafton Hill) and graduated from Holy Cross and later, Tufts Medical School.
Colonel Landry did his basic training in San Antonio, TX at Brooks Air Force Base for (6) weeks, then was assigned to the Phillipines to a C-130 Squad, which dealt with armaments and evacuations. “I planned to stay in for only (2) years, but that changed….as a Flight Surgeon, I worked with some really solid people” The biggest challenge as a Flight Surgeon? “You need to know the environment they’re in…..you walk a fine line…..you don’t judge them....you have to totally understand them….there’s a fine line between physician and trust…..only way to do that is to immerse yourself in everything they do….hang with them, fly with them, do everything” he recalled. He offered this on his first impression of Vietnam and gave credit to the guys on the ground. “We got shot at (flying) but nothing like the Army guys…..guys on the ground….they took the brunt of it….the Combat Medics….what they did in WWII and in Vietnam was simply amazing” he said.
When Colonel Landry was asked about the holidays, he offered this perspective on the camaraderie they shared. “I was one of the lucky ones as my family was with me….we were all in it together….we hung together, celebrated together….we were all doing it together so it was rare for someone to feel sad” he remembered. I asked Colonel Landry of the many situations he was in, if any stood out in particular. He conveyed that going to crash sites was extremely difficult but shared this story. “I was stationed in Germany…..my good friend was flying a mission…..had a pregnant wife…..unfortunately, the wife got pneumonia (Influenza) and died…she lost the baby too….I was the one who had to make the call to tell my friend” the memory still causes him great emotion.
One of the highlights of Colonel Landry’s career was giving physicals to General Chuck Yeager. “The highlight of my life…..just a great guy…..nice, down to earth and humble…..a definite American Hero.” He continued. “I had the chance to fly in the F-15’s and F-4’s….flew in the U-2’s…to do all of that….I mean, I’m a Worcester kid…..it was great” he recalled with pride. As a Chief Flight Surgeon, he would go onto mentor 4-5 men that would be Surgeon General of The Air Force, something that means a great deal to him. “My 1st boss was a physician and handled me well….I was kind of a renegade….his mentorship lead to my decision to stay in” he remembered. Colonel Landry’s highly impressive assignments included (2) tours of Germany, the Phillipines, Beale AFB, The National Defense University in Washington, Brooks AFB and back to Washington, D.C as The Chief Flight Surgeon of The United States Air Force. Thoughts on being a United States Vietnam Veteran. “For the longest time we didn’t talk about it….kept quiet….it’s changed a lot…it’s made me a better person and I feel good about my service” he said. He has not stopped giving back and making an impact in people’s lives and currently owns a business that helps people with their aging process. He is married to his wife Paula of (55) years and proudly states that “we were only apart one year during his service”. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Roger Landry, thank you for your outstanding service and welcome home.
Mike Lorenz
Mike Lorenz served his country in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard for (10) years from 1999 – 2009, deploying twice to the Middle East. He grew up in Battle Creek, MI and is a graduate of Western Michigan University. He spoke of his basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX; “I was well prepared….knew it was a mind game and no matter how well you did they tore you down….served me well….was given a heads up that it was mostly mental.”
His 1st assignment was out of Battle Creek Air Base in Michigan with the 110th Fighter Wing. Lorenz was trained as a weapons loader, specifically for A -10’s and did his training at Sheppard AFB in Northern Texas. “If we didn’t do our job right, our people on the ground would die” he recalled. Considering the extreme danger of his job, was he ever afraid? “I was….never been to a place as dark as Tallil Air Base in Iraq….we had captured an air base and helped set up air operations….had to rely heavily on ground troops to keep us safe….it was intimidating more than it was scary” he remembered.
He offered this when asked about the holidays. “Kind of just another day…..the challenging part is when you come home and people talk about the holidays – ‘Remember when Uncle Joe had everyone laughing at the table?’…..I was away for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s…..coming back was definitely hard” he recalled. When asked if a specific memory sticks out he said this; “In 2003 I was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq (he would deploy to Afghanistan from 2007 – 2008)….I witnessed our planes dropping off bombs in the distance….it was incredibly surreal to see the bombs we loaded going off….but I tried to keep some semblance of humanity during war” he said. How does one prepare for deployment? “We knew for several months….prepped my current job for being gone….my friends put together a Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s in one night…..it was very cool and something I will always remember.” He continued. “We were in Afghanistan at Bagram AB….I worked at night and was driving to work…..saw soldiers loading up, soldiers getting on gunships….a huge team of people….my mind goes to our ground troops….very moving to see that whole force come together in one grouping….that one night is the only time I saw it happening in sync, in a positive way” he remembered. Mentors? “I would look up to other weapons loaders that had been there….I learned from the people that were doing it the longest” he recalled.
He offered these profound comments when asked his thoughts on being a United States Veteran. “Definitely a source of pride….the more I’m around veterans the more I realize how special our group is…..some people don’t have it in their families…..I feel safer knowing that I can reach out to another veteran….we have this brotherhood & sisterhood and I think it’s a pretty awesome thing.” He is currently the Director of Military & Veterans Support at Boston College, working with alumni, faculty, students & military families.
Mike Lorenz, thank you for your service to our great country.
Bob MacLeod served his country in the United States Air Force from 1952 – 1956 as an Airman 1st Class. At the ripe old age of (89) he is totally “Old School” – tremendously humble, respectful and a first-rate class act. He grew up in Roxbury and enlisted at 16 ½. He did his basic training at Sampson AFB in New York, then additional Air, Sea & Rescue Training in Bryan, TX. “It was kind of tough….when you’re seventeen, everything was…..bitter cold….spent many nights lying in bed saying ‘what the heck did I do?’ Overall, it was a good experience” he remembered.
Airman MacLeod’s 1st assignment was to Alaska. “I went directly overseas….Alaska wasn’t a state yet…..you’d spend 4-5 nights in Quonset Huts…..weather was brutal…..you went from 40 degrees to 40 below….you’d blow on your gloves and your breath would freeze on the gloves…..remember getting up in the middle of the night and cleaning snow off the roof……after that, I went to Osan AFB in Korea.” When asked about being away for the holidays, he shared this. “It was kind of tough….you were shut off from all communication whatsoever….had no phones….grew up in a large family……I was a kid so you had a lot of sad nights” he recalled. Was he ever afraid? “I guess I was afraid…..I hung out of planes during my service….air rescue…..I was a window washer for (10) years at some of the tallest buildings in Boston…..not as scary looking down, as it is looking up…..had a mission, going after a pilot…..put him in the birdcage (stretcher) then off he went….had to stay there….you’re air, seas & rescue and you’re out there……realized then, I wasn’t indestructible.” He continued. “One of my assignments was to escort the bodies back…..it’s tough…..you’re just not equipped for that…..I don’t care how much training you have.”
After serving his country, he would go on to serve his community as a police officer (later Detective) for (36) years in Roxbury. “A lot has changed since then….I was officer friendly….it’s a different type of job today…..I used to escort the nuns to church, then home again….there isn’t that now.” One of his assignments was the envy of every sports fan. “I used to do Fenway Park….I was in the dugout….I did the parades…..I stayed with the players….once you’re around them, they’re just regular guys…..the fans?....today the fan is totally different…...used to drive a 3-wheeler called a mo-ped……liked it because I was independent….I worked alone….got to deal with people one on one….I could walk anywhere and didn’t get bothered…..I had the respect of the street people…..the homeless, the beggars…..I was officer friendly….it was a different type of job” he recalled. Thought on service? “I’m proud of my service….I joined in the middle of the Korean conflict…..I volunteered…..felt like it was the right thing to do…..my dad served……my grandfather served……still proud of that” he said.
He and his wife Valerie have been married for an amazing (63) years. They have (10) grandchildren and (7) great grandchildren. Airman 1st Class Bob MacLeod, thank you for your service to our great country.
Flora Magger served her country in the Army Nurse Corps. from 1944 – 1946. At an incredible (99) years of age (she’ll be (100) in November) she is extremely patriotic, energetic and tough. Born in Philadelphia, PA she attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Her (3) other brothers were also serving – one in the South Pacific and two in the European Theater. “I was kind of a Tom Boy….my brothers were tough on me but would protect me to no end……that toughness helped me in the military” she said.
After finishing nursing school, Lt. Magger was sent to the European Theater and worked at several field hospitals in France. “We worked 12-14 hour shifts, six days a week……the carnage was unbelievable…..no school could prepare you for what we saw everyday…..one thing I learned is that you never wake a combat soldier….you had methods…..one of my nurse’s learned the hard way and almost got choked to death” she remembered. I asked Lt. Magger about the holidays and she responded with this. “We had no Christmas…..you made of it what you could with other nurses…..we had a tree and sang songs but that was it…..when a bomb drops or you hear gunfire near your field hospital, you’re not thinking about Christmas, you’re thinking about how to stay alive.” She continued. “I had a reputation for being tough…..you had to, to make sure your hospital ran properly……I did not allow any cursing in my ward…..had a soldier who had a leg injury and was in a wheelchair……cursed all the time……finally went and confronted him and told him that if he cursed again, I’d personally wheel his ass outside……it was below zero……he got the message and stopped cursing” she recalled.
I asked her if she had a mentor while in the Army Nurse Corps. and she said this. “Most definately……Lt. Colonel Waters……tough as nails…..a magnificent nurse and leader…..taught me a very important rule in nursing……never let them see you cry…...there were several times I had wanted to because of the pace we kept, lack of sleep and seeing death continuously, but I never did……I cry a lot now when I think of the memories” she said. Lt. Magger did share a story that she confided, she is unable to forget. “We had a young soldier come in…..no more than (18)….had a bad head wound……never regained consciousness…..when he died, it was like I had lost a brother…..hit me that hard…..I wrote his parents and told them that their son died bravely (the soldier had been in heavy combat with German soldiers) and the most important thing they need to know is that he didn’t die alone because I was with him” she said, emotionally. “There was never a question for me not to serve after my brothers went in…..I’m damn proud of my service and damn proud of all the nurses that performed their duty with professionalism, dignity and compassion…..damn proud” she said. She is looking forward to turning (100) but only wants to spend it with her family. “Already told my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, I don’t want any fanfare…..the best present I can have is to spend my birthday with my family.”
Lt. Flora Magger, thank you for your service to our great country.