June 2022 Veteran of the Month – Al Descourouez
Alfred “Al” J. Descourouez was born in Chicago, Illinois in April 1944. His Father served in the Navy and his uncle in the US Army, both during World War 2. His decision to join the military began while in High School. These were the days of the draft and a group of him and his friends decided to join instead of waiting one or two years before getting drafted.
In March of 1962, he signed up for the Marines, while still in high school, and was placed in delayed entry until his graduation later in the year. He eventually graduated the same year and departed for bootcamp on June 30th, 1962. He was sent to the San Diego Recruit Depot in California and completed his 13 weeks of bootcamp. Al was then sent to Camp Pendleton, CA for basic infantry training. During his time in Camp Pendleton, he attained the rank of Private First Class, E3. Once completed with the infantry school, he then returned to San Diego for training in his selected job field in Electronics and Long-Range Radar repair. He completed a total of 36 weeks of school and graduated in April 1963. Before moving onto his first duty station, he exchanged assignments with a friend who was married and on orders to Japan. Japan would have been a hardship tour (no Family) for his friend, so they exchanged orders and Al headed off to Japan. After a 17-day trip to Japan by ship, he arrived and was assigned to Station Electronics, maintaining control tower, Navy long range, sea rescue, and Military Police radios. His total assignment in Japan lasted one year, and in that time, the Vietnam conflict started to build up. In June 1965, Al volunteered to go to Vietnam for a 6-month tour instead of going home. Upon his arrival to Vietnam, he was assigned to MATCH-67 in Chu Lai. During this tour he worked on radar sets, conducted guard duty and patrols, and burned waste. By this time, Al was promoted to Corporal, E4. After his 6-month tour in Vietnam, he was rotated back to the US and was assigned to Cherry Point, NC. During his tour, he was placed in a support squadron then moved to a Light Anti-Missile Battalion and even conducted a short training mission on the island of Vieques for a missile shoot. It was at this duty station; Al completed his initial entry time and was honorable discharged from Active Duty.
Al moved back to Chicago and began a 4-year apprenticeship in sheet metal. He also went to school at night to further his education and gain more knowledge. Al worked as a journeyman sheet metal worker for the next 14 years. In 1982, Al decided to return to military service and joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve at Glenview Naval Air station, and maintained his CPL rank at the time of initial separation. He was assigned to VMGR-234, Air refueling and transport. Due to his experience as a sheet metal worker for many years, he transitioned directly into a new job field taking care of Airframes. He mostly worked on C-130s and in maintenance control with the senior staff, controlling the sequence of maintenance. A year later he was then promoted to Sergeant, E5 and applied for Warrant Officer school. Six months later he was accepted and went on to successfully complete Warrant Officer school and was promoted to Warrant Officer, WO1. He continued serving in multiple roles and locations, culminating into his final role as a multi-channel radio platoon Commander and reached the rank of CWO4. While in the Marine Corps Reserves, Al continued his civilian career in Sheet Metal. He even started his own business in 1993, Draftaire Inc, throughout different locations in and around Illinois. In 1996, Al decided to finally retire from the Reserves with a total of 20-years of service.
Al eventually moved to Tellico Village, TN where he lived for 10 years. He became a Charter member of the VFW #12135 and also served in the Marine Corps League, Detachment #924. He enjoyed giving back to his community through many years of service with these organizations. He is also a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons since 1969.
The Tellico Village VFW Post #12135 General meeting is held at 7:00 p.m. in the Tellico Village Yacht Club every third Wednesday of the month. Further information can be found on the Post website athttps://www.tellicovillagevfwpost.org/
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