#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Force Veteran Leo Agers

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Force Veteran Leo Agers, who served at an air base in New Guinea and managed plane refueling during WWII.

Leo Agers began his military service with the 131^st Infantry, 33^rd Division, as part of the Chicago National Guard. The 33^rd served at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, for basic and infantry training. In August 1941, Agers went on the Louisiana Maneuvers, a series of major Army exercises.

When Agers believed the U.S. would soon go to war, he applied for a transfer to the Army Air Force. He reported to March Field in California for Cadet Training School and was assigned to the 43^rd Material Squadron. Then, aboard the SS President Coolidge, Agers traveled to Melbourne, Australia, and arrived at Camp Darley. While en route to Darwin along the Adelaide River, Agers explored Australia as he met up with the squadron.

Agers then served at Milne Bay Engineer Depot in New Guinea. Agers worked on installations for the air base at Dobudara. After Agers received orders to return to the U.S., he traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi, before traveling to San Bernardino Army Airfield in California. Agers managed plane refueling there.

On Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, Agers happened to be in London and saw Winston Churchill. He said it was one of the highlights of his life to be there for that celebration.

After discharge, Agers married his wife, Carol Agers, in Michigan and studied petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma.

Agers then retired in Sedona, Arizona.

More of his story can be found at http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.53855/

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Writer: Annaleigh Cummings

Editor: Kailey Miller 

Fact checker: Crystal Moore

Graphic artist: Deanna Cannon