Page 66 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

BOB ILZHOEFER
HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESIDENT, MARINES MEMBER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS GROUP
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens New York, Bob enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1956 and was sent to Parris Island after attending Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. As an enlisted Marine he was selected to participate in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program and upon completion he was designated a Naval Aviator and Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Serving two tours of duty in Vietnam (1963-64 & 1967-68) as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot, Bob flew over 720 combat missions. For this service, he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Thirty-six Air Medals and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
In addition to his service in Vietnam, he also took part in the United Nations operations in the Belgium Congo, the Cuban Crisis, the Mine Removal Operation in the Suez Canal and the evacuation of British Nationals from Cyprus. Bob retired from the Marine Corps, as a Major, after twenty years of service.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Bob re-entered college and earned a degree in Education. He taught Computers and Mathematics in Middle school in the North Carolina public school system for his second twenty-year career.
The photo above left shows Bob Ilzhoefer with a Montagnard soldier in front of an H-34 Helicopter in Vietnam during his first tour in late 1963.
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