Beaufort’s Bob Torrey, 90, joined the United States Marine Corps in Bangor, Maine in 1950. After Boot camp at Parris Island, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, where he trained as an anti-aircraft gunner. He then shipped to near Pusan, Korea where he served in anti-aircraft artillery. His next duty station was at Marine Barracks Key West, Fla., for three years. Then it was back to Pusan, Korea in anti-aircraft gunnery duties. After Korea, he trained at MCAS Cherry Point to be an Air Traffic Control maintenance technician. He was next off to Phu Bai, Vietnam (near Hue) as an ATC maintenance man during the Tet Offensive. He then served in Millington, Tenn., as an ATC maintenance instructor. His final assignment was at MCAS Beaufort from which he retired in 1974 as a Captain, USMC, with 24 years of service. He went on to work for the FAA for 20 years in ATC maintenance, first at Andrews AFB near Washington and later on Long Island, N.Y at the ATC center for all of the greater New York City’s airports. He retired and returned to Beaufort in 1994. He has volunteered with the Franciscan Center on St. Helena.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
