JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Robert M. “Bob” Warren, a World War II Veteran celebrated his 101st birthday alongside his family, friends and active duty service members from Joint Base San Antonio at a local diner Jan. 28.
“What a special morning to honor such a remarkable man who served honorably for more than 20 years during World War II and then serving in Texas as a mayor, a true citizen and Soldier,” said Col. Steven Strain, 502nd Installation Support Group commander.
When asked about how he was feeling that day Warren smiled and said, “I’m fine, not hurting. Some of my joints don’t work too well, but outside that, I'm just fine.”
“He is the most positive person that you could ever meet,” said Tami Marlin, his youngest daughter. “He’s never in a bad mood and never says anything negative about anyone or to anyone. He is just delightful. He is our hero.”
Born in 1921 in Frisco, Texas, Warren was a valedictorian and 1942 graduate of Texas A&M University, ranking 10th in his class with a degree in finance. He would go on to enlist in the Army Air Corps where he began training as a pilot.
By the age of 23, he was a co-pilot navigator on a C-47 that flew to Europe, where he dropped paratroopers and pulled paragliders behind enemy lines. Three of his most notable operations included the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and Operation Plunder with the crossing of the Rhine.
Following his service after the war, Warren would remain in the Air Force Reserve for 22 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He also worked at Exxon for 36 years, retiring in 1981.
Warren would go on to serve as a city councilman and then mayor of Frisco, which is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. After 13 years of civil service, Warren began a writing career and spends his spare time engaging with the local veteran community, his family and the nature surrounding him, which he loves to appreciate.
On being asked what advice he had for current active duty members, Warren said, “Be careful and do your best.”