We have lost antoher WWII Hero
We lost a true hero on Sunday. He was the father of one of my best friends, who has been my friend since I was seven years old. This man was a true American Hero. There are few like him left. Cherish them while you may.
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Col. Robert H. Damico was born on April 3, 1920 to Catherine and Jacob Damico as one of 11 children in Syracuse, New York. Bob joined the Army Air Corp as an Air Cadet at Fordham University in 1942.
After earning his wings he was assigned to the 373rd fighter group in the 9th Air Force in England, in the P-47 Thunderbolt. In 1944, Bob's P-47 was hit over Germany and was unable to make it back to England. The radio controller, Don Porter, guided Bob to an airstrip in Belgium, saving Bob's life and igniting a life-long friendship. Serving two tours of duty in the European theater of World War II, Bob's squadron followed Patton's army through France into Germany.
For his wartime service, Col. Damico was highly decorated: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation, Air Force Outstanding Unit, National Defense Service Medal, the French and Belgium Croix de Guerre, the Belgium National Order of Leopold and others. Following World War II, Bob and Don Porter reunited in their hometown of Syracuse where Bob met Don's younger sister, Lucille.
Bob and Lucille dated and then began their 59-year marriage. In Syracuse, Bob was Air Advisor and Commander to the Syracuse Air National Guard. In 1953, Bob, Lucille and their three children moved to Europe, where Bob served as Chief of Stan/Eval USAFE (United States Air Force Europe) flying F-84 jets. Following 4 years in Europe, Bob was assigned as an F-86 squadron commander at Hanscom Field in Massachusetts, where he earned the nickname the Whip for his disciplined leadership style.
After two years in California, Bob, Lucille, and their 8 children moved to Tokyo Japan, where Bob was Chief of Staff of the Military Advisory Assistance Group (MAAG). Bob became the first American fighter pilot to complete the Japanese F-104 training, earning him an 'Honorary Samurai' designation. Returning to the USA in 1966, Bob was responsible for computer systems at NORAD in Colorado Springs, CO. In 1970 Col. Damico was offered an opportunity for generalship at the Pentagon.
He gave up the opportunity, and his career in the Air Force, so that his family could be together in Colorado, where he retired in 1972 after 30 years of service. Col. Damico was fiercely devoted to his wife Lucille and their eight children, and he delighted in the birth of each of 20 grandchild and of 4 great grandchild. The military lifestyle took the family to many locations around the world. It was vital to him that the children, in their cultural emersions, became familiar with the customs and languages of the communities in which they lived.
After retirement, Col. Damico pursued other interests. He received an associate's degree in auto mechanics from Pikes Peak Community College and became the family's personal auto mechanic. He also became a professional fly fisherman teaching fly fishing and providing tours on trout filled streams in Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Colorado. He also was a contributing author for several fly fishing publications and was very committed to stream and fish conservation and the science of entomology. He was gracious and appreciative of the time and commitment his children and wife offered him, especially in his last months of life.
This was a precious time for the family to be present with him and to hear of the deep experiences that he felt were important life lessons for his children. He continually shared that there was nothing more important than family and he lavished in the care and love that his family offered. At the end of his life he eagerly anticipated the reunion with loved ones who preceded him in death. He was comforted in the knowing that his life was meaningful and that he would finally be with family and God.
Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Mary's Cathedral, 22 West Kiowa St. in Colorado Springs on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 10:00 am. Burial services will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Friday, January 16, 2009 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Col. Robert Damico to Cross International at www.crossinternational.org.
Published in The Gazette on 1/14/2009
