Pat James Falvo

ARLINGTON -- Pat J. Falvo, 92, passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2012 in Dallas. Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2012 at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Interment: 1:30 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Lane C. Visitation: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 (Happy Halloween) from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Wade Family Funeral Home. Memorials: The family asks that friends and family please consider donations to the American Lung Association and the Salvation Army. Born in Connellsville Pennsylvania, Dad lived a long and fulfilling life. Dad's birth name was Pasquale Falvo, but at age 28 he had it legally changed to Pat James Falvo, because he was an American and he wanted to have an American name. As he explained to anyone who asked if it was Patrick, he would say no, because he wasn't Irish, he was an American. And as an American he served his country in World War II and was recalled to duty in the Korean War. He joined the Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) in 1939 and was stationed in Hawaii, on a B-17 crew with the 11th Heavy Bomb Group, 42nd Squadron at Hickam Field and was there when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. His squadron was assigned to the South Pacific and was based first in New Guinea then Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides and then Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. He flew over 60 combat missions and received a number of medals and ribbons from the service. The medals listed on his honorable discharge documents are as follows: American Defense Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster WD GO # 48 # 86 Hq. USAFISPA 43, Distinguished Flying Cross WD GO # 86 Hq. USAFISPA 12 Apr 1943. As noted on his Honorable Discharge document, his military specialty was Airplane & Engine Mechanic Gunner 748 and Military Qualification AAF Air Crew Member Badge (Wings) Pistol Marksman. As children we played with his medals and ribbons until we lost some of them. A special thank you to U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling and his staff for taking care of replacing all of them for Dad. We appreciate his efforts. Like most servicemen from that era, he never spoke of his days in the service, but at the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, he went to the reunion that was held by the 11th Heavy Bomb Group and made many friends. After that anniversary he would see articles in books and magazines and let us know which missions he was on and point out when his plane and crew were mentioned. He continued to go to the reunions until last year when he was no longer able to travel. Dad achieved the rank of Tech SGT in the service and worked for the Air Force after being honorably discharged in 1945. He and Mom used to travel from her hometown in Oklahoma to San Antonio when Dad was stationed at Kelly Air Force Base. They went through a town they really liked, Arlington, Texas and settled there after Dad left the service. Dad was a very successful car salesman. He earned top salesman awards for almost 40 years and the plaques that he had filled several walls at our parents' home. He was a dedicated family man and made sure all of us achieved the level of education that we sought. He and Mother were very giving to their family and we knew that we were appreciated. When Mother became ill he was already in his mid-80's, but he was going to take care of his wife. So we worked together and made sure she received the best care possible. It was only natural that when he needed help we moved him to Dallas to live with us. The family would like to thank Sharon Hunter, Kim Bean, Kim Bradford and Lafayette Dancer for their assistance in giving Dad the care he deserved. He was preceded in death by Bea Falvo, his wife of 64 years (at this point, Dad would correct us and say 64 and a half years). Also preceding him in death are his parents, Francesco Falvo and Filomena Mazza Falvo, brother Ralph Falvo and sisters Louise Falvo, Sara Falvo and Kathryn Falvo. Survivors: Dad is survived by his son, James Falvo (Mary), daughters Susan Falvo and Kathleen Foley, grandchildren John Falvo, Kathryn Falvo and Samuel Foley, brothers Gene Falvo and Frank Falvo, sisters Jenny Ambrisco and Mary Trout, and sisters-in-law Marie Hickey and Mamie Lou Frasier. For an interview with Pat on December 7, 2010, highlight the link below. Right click and open link in new window. http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2010/12/07/arlington-man-who-lived-it-recalls-attack-on-pearl-harbor/ Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233