March ARB Air and Space Expo: World War II Vet visits

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Xavier Lockley

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CA. – On December 7, 1941 one year after his wedding anniversary, George Hobby heard his name being called to duty.

In the beginning however, Hobby faced an obstacle attempting to get into the military as he was first denied entry but later ended up being drafted into the Army.

After a litany of tests, the Army determined that Hobby’s skills would be best utilized in the Army’s newest branch, the Army Air Corps and train as a navigator.

"My father had been in the Air Force back before it was actually called the Air Force,” said George Hobby. “He first got assigned to the Pacific Theatre where he served during World War II in the 2nd Photo Reconnaissance Unit on the B-24 Liberator. For all of his missions, he had to do his job without a global positioning system.”

Hobby never took his duties lightly as he knew he was responsible for all of his wingmen and never wavered from continuing to answer his nations call.

Since serving in the military, Hobby was featured in several different magazines for the modeling company Doc Savage as he served as a fitness model, in fact he even won a bodybuilding contest at the age of 77. He also served as a rocket scientist for Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Caltech.

As Hobby nears 100 years of age this year, one of his two requests was to come to March and have his lieutenant bars presented by Col. Matthew J. Burger, 452nd Air Mobility Wing Commander.

“This is such a great honor that he would come to the base,” said Burger. “An opportunity like this is great for our base because he leaves a lasting impact on not only myself but our younger Airmen.”

Hobby’s last request was to come and thank all of the men and women who continue to serve in our nations military.

“My father had these goals in mind because his time serving meant everything to him,” said Hobby's son. “He knows what its like to serve and could not be thankful enough for the job that these fantastic men and women do on a daily basis.”

The men and women of the 452nd AMW honored the Hobby's requests with the utmost professionalism.