BOB CORSIGLIA ― A TRUE PATRIOT
By Steve Hoy
Bob Corsiglia was born in Gardner, Massachusetts on October 2, 1920 and is now looking forward to his 110th birthday in another 21 years.
“A True Patriot” ― there are many superlatives that can be used to describe Bob, but those words stick out as the most appropriate. Since arriving at Bear Creek nine years ago, Bob has worked tirelessly planning, coordinating and participating in many patriotic events and fundraisers held at Bear Creek and within our local communities. His leadership and support of the Bear Creek Flag project, the annual Marine Corp Scholarship Fund golf outing, the Bear Creek Gala and Golf Events held on the behalf of the USO, the Murrieta Veterans Memoria and the Murrieta Field of Honor program has greatly benefited the success of those events.
Bob, and his wonderful wife Marian, moved to their home in Fairway Estates nine years ago. They are avid golfers, bowlers and Bocce players. They rarely miss an opportunity to participate in a couple’s golf event or bowl in the Bear Creek bowling leagues. They share a love of music and stage and are constantly on the go to Temecula, San Diego, and Orange County to take in a show. Bob and Marian also share a love for people; although Bob favors the ladies of Bear Creek, neither passes up an opportunity for a warm greeting. Cooking is yet another passion for Bob, but since he does not particularly like to eat, they frequently entertain at their home, allowing Bob the chance to share his “Joy of Cooking” with all his friends.
“So much to do and so little time to do it” is also a good description of Bob’s daily routine. He lives every day with such enthusiasm and incredible energy it can be exhausting just trying to keep pace with him. He was born the third of four boys and grew up with a natural competitive spirit. He graduated from Gardner High School where he participated in swimming, football and baseball. He also enjoyed playing hockey and ski jumping whenever possible. His crowning glory occurred on the football field when he scored a touchdown against arch rival Cushing Academy ― Actress Betty Davis was a graduate of Cushing Academy (1926) and had returned home for this particular game. Ms Davis had proposed a kiss to any player who scored a touchdown; Bob scored and received a kiss even though he was on the opposing team.
On graduation from Gardner High School in 1938, Bob enrolled at Holy Cross. On the fateful date of December 8, 1941, he enlisted in Naval Aviation as a Seaman, 2nd Class. Bob was allowed to continue his education at Holy Cross where he earned his degree in June 1942. He received his wings in September 1942 at Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corp. He was then assigned to the Marine Air Station at Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he worked with other Marine pilots and two Vought-Sikorsky test pilots in an effort to adapt the newly designed Corsair F-4U for acceptance by the Marine Corps, which was modified and accepted. A year or so later, the Navy adapted the Corsair for carrier operations. The F-4U went on to become a tremendous implement to victory, but Bob says he still suffers from white knuckles caused by those early test flights.
Bob was next assigned to Major Joe Foss’ Squadron 115, but not before passing through San Diego and upholding the reputation of the Marine Corp while entertaining the ladies for ten days at the El Cortez Hotel. He was subsequently seconded to the Navy in Guam as the Commander-in-Charge, Forward Area Utility Squadron. As part of his duties, he became the personal pilot for Vice Admiral (Genial John, a very colorful character) Hoover, Commander Forward Area. Bob’s duties included the honor of flying many of the top Navy Admirals, including Nimitz, Spruance, and Halsey.
Bob has many tales from his war experiences, but one of my favorites is his story involving Iwo Jima. Admiral Hoover wanted to be in the first aircraft to land on the runway at Iwo Jima once it was secured. As they approached the runway one of the top brass told Bob, “Look! They are raising the flag!” (The now famous raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi.) They arrived just in time to see the event as Bob circled his aircraft above the scene. Bob then became the first American pilot to land on Iwo Jima and was subjected to a very nervous night when he was handed a machine gun and told to guard his airplane as the battle raged on around him.
Bob also has a story or two about meeting Henry Fonda and Tyrone Power. Fonda was a quartermaster stationed aboard the destroyer USS Satterlee before he was commissioned and transferred to Vice Admiral Hoover’s staff. Fonda, always the actor, stood on the large map table outside the conference room and did great impressions of “Genial John.” Bob later met Tyrone Power while sharing a newspaper in Guam. Power was also a Marine Aviator.
Bob left active service after the war ended in 1945, but he never left the service. As he, and many another Marine are accustomed to saying, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
Bob’s fascination with aircraft was not quite over. In 1946, he was attempting to develop a new cargo airplane. His plans were dashed when Ruben Fleet, famed aviator and industrialist, told him there was already a patent on Bob’s design. Bob next went to work for TWA at their corporate offices in Kansas City, where he met Howard Hughes. He was later hired away by Air Canada, initially moving to Cleveland, Ohio, then later being transferred to the corporate headquarters in Montreal, Quebec; Bob retired from Air Canada after 39 years, last holding the title of Director of Air Cargo.
While in Montreal, Bob’s daughter Robin became a renowned swimmer for Canada when she was only 13 years old. She won the Gold Medal in the individual Breaststroke event during the 1976 Commonwealth Games in Winnipeg, and it was her event that provided the final stroke of victory for Canada. Robin gained added fame in the 1976 Montreal Olympics when she won the Olympic Bronze Medal swimming the Breaststroke in the 400 meter Medley Relay.
Prior to moving to Bear Creek, Marian and Bob worked together operating a management consulting company known as Management Sciences and Service.