Jack M. Leo

Jack M. Leo

Jack Leo was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant following training in the Air Force ROTC at Notre Dame in June 1970. He earned his Air Force wings a year later and was assigned to fly the C-130 transport at Forbes AFB in Kansas. He was blessed to meet Luanne, now his wife, while assigned there in 1972. As the Vietnam War was nearing its end, he accepted a voluntary transfer to fly the C-130 in the Air Force Reserves at Niagara Falls Air Base, his hometown.

In the Reserves, Jack was active in local training, plus yearly deployments to Europe flying NATO support missions during the Cold War. He also flew missions in support of the Air Force Southern Command, based in Panama. Assignments included embassy support in the volatile Central American theater and long-range support missions to South America.

Jack then transitioned to his final assignment as Chief of the Command Post for air and ground support at Niagara Falls. He retired in 1990 as a Major and remains ever thankful to his wife, Luanne, and his family for their sacrifice during his frequent assignments away from home.

He received several unit citations, being part of the 914th Airlift Wing, an Outstanding Air Force Reserve Unit. He received the Air Force Achievement Medal for his individual contributions to the airlift mission. Jack is honored to have served with the 914th, which was deployed, shortly after his retirement, to Desert Storm and many Gulf War missions.

He has lived in the Harris Hill area since 1974 with his wife of nearly 50 years. They have four children, James, Anne Marie, Kate, and Laurie, and even seven grandchildren.

Military Branch:  Air Force

Rank:  Major

Years Enlisted:  1970-1990

Honors and Awards:  Several Unit Citations, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Senior Pilot Wings

Status:  Retired