http://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/community/2016/04/08/wwii-korean-war-vet-dubois-honored-his-95th-birthday/82804134/
ALAMOGORDO â?? World War II and Korean War veteran Stephen DuBois was honored by Alamogordo's Mayor Richard Boss with a proclamation on DuBois' 95th birthday Friday.
"Not only the city, but I think the entire country needs to honor him," said Boss. "This man is a patriot of our country and I was honored to make the proclamation. By the turnout of people, I think there's a lot of people who feel the same way."
DuBois was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on April 8, 1921 and joined the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1939. He trained for the Hospital Corp and then deployed to Pearl Harbor where he served under fire during the devastating Japanese invasion on Dec. 7, 1941. DuBois went on to serve at Wake Island and New Hebrides, where he helped build a secret airbase for the VMF Fighter Squadron 212.
"At that time, we were able to listen to the VMF 212 attack," DuBois said during the proclamation. "The Japanese fleet came down and (we) lost all the planes and all the pilots. So I wasn't at Wake Island, I went there but they turned around because the admiral was a little chicken."
DuBois later served in New Zealand, Guadalcanal and at the U.S. Naval Hospital in St. Albans, New York, as well as the Haven HA-12 Hospital Ship. At the end of World War II, DuBois assisted with the evacuation of Prisoners of War from Nagasaki, Japan. DuBois also served during the Korean War in 1950 with a medical battalion and the 1st Marine Division Dog Med Company. DuBois retired from the Navy as a Hospitalman Chief, ranked E7, in 1959. Mayor Richard Boss declared Friday, April 8 "Stephen
Mayor Richard Boss declared Friday, April 8 "Stephen DuBois Day" to honor the local veteran on his 95th birthday. (Photo: Tara Melton/Daily News)
"I've worked with Stephen for a number of years," said Nadia Sikes. "Not only did he do all the things we talked about today but he's also been a member of the State Central Committee for the State of New Mexico's Democratic Party for years. He never misses a meeting, is always on time and always has something to say. I have a lot of respect for Stephen."
According to the proclamation, DuBois has volunteered his time, talents and expertise to the Health Clinic in Tularosa, the Planning and Zoning Committee for both Otero County and Tularosa and was instrumental in bringing the VA Clinic to the community. DuBois has served on the Red Brick School Foundation where he set up the organizationâ??s constitution and bylaws, and is a lifelong member of the VFW and the Marine Corps League.
DuBois said he was honored by the proclamation but wished those he served with were alive to be honored too.
"I'm lucky to be alive," he said. "I think about all the young men who used to be my shipmates that didn't make it, so I don't talk about that very much because it makes me cry."
On the topic of how DuBois plans to celebrate his 95th birthday, he joked that his daughter Stephanie had stopped him from having fun.
"She cut me off from all my fun," DuBois said. "...chasing women."
Many Alamogordo residents, including members of the military and local leaders, attended the proclamation event and spent a few moments thanking DuBois for his service and wishing him a happy birthday.
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