MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT -- Ninety-year-old Howard C. Broseker, who served in all three conflicts in both the Navy and Air Force and served military personnel working at the Naval Radio Transmitter Facility Annapolis Naval Station, Md., is passing on his legacy to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Broseker, who now resides in Newport, N.C., began his military career in the United States Navy, May 5, 1941 as an apprentice seaman recruit.
Between 1941 and 1966, he dutifully served his country, completing tours on 14 vessels and bases including Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. Naval Gun Factory and the USS Canberra. During his time in the Navy, he obtained special duties as a boatswain’s mate.
Boatswain’s mates are considered masters of seamanship due to their rigorous duties training, directing and supervising personnel performing maintenance duties.
They often carry out tasks designated for seamen, acting as the petty officer in charge of picket boats, self-propelled barges, tugs and other vessels.
Broseker saw combat in World War II, and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he received in action while deployed to Okinawa, Japan, in 1945.
In 1947 Broseker witnessed the split of the Army Air Forces into the Army and the Air Force.
After flying with a Navy patrol squadron, he separated from the Navy on March 17, 1966.
“He was dedicated to the jobs he did and he was always there when he was needed,” said Broseker’s daughter Gail E. Broseker-Barrick.
During his time in the service, Broseker traveled the world, crossed the equator twice, married, and fathered three children.
Broseker also spent time among the ranks of the Air Force where he was in charge of a crash boat on the Potomac River.
After successfully completing two enlistments, he received an honorable discharge as a technical sergeant.
Still craving the military lifestyle, Broseker rejoined the Navy as a petty officer first class, again assuming duties as a boatswain’s mate.
Broseker flew with a patrol bomber squadron, and then entered the reserves at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station where he retired June 1, 1972.
Retiring during the Vietnam era, Broseker started working at the Naval Radio Transmitter Facility.
Throughout his military career, Broseker was not able to spend much time with his family.
After retiring from civil service in 1986, he began rekindling the bonds with his family members.
Broseker lives on his own, but his family visits him to keep him company and to cherish each moment with him.
“He’s very special to us and has done very special things for our country. I am very proud of him,” Shannon J. E. Barrick-Montgomery, Broseker’s granddaughter.
The family is also learning his history to preserve it for future generations.
“I want to learn as much as I can, so I can teach my granddaughter and she can tell her children.”