Veterans in Blue 2017 - John Marusiak

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ, UNITED STATES

06.01.2017

Courtesy Video

3d Audiovisual Squadron

Veterans in Blue is a multimedia collection showcasing men and women who have contributed to the legacy of the Air Force.

John Marusiak Jr’s passion for aviation ignited after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. At age 24, Marusiak stepped forward to serve his country like so many young men of his era during World War II. He enlisted into the Army Air Corps as a pilot and attended training at Luke Field, now known as Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. During World War II, Marusiak completed a total of 105 missions over Europe including providing ground cover during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After the war, Marusiak continued to serve the Air Force as a test pilot for newly introduced technology. In 1965, he retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force and moved to Arizona with his wife, Angie. There, he and his wife founded an electrical discharge machine shop that grew to become one of the largest, high technology, precision machine shops in the Southwest United States. Marusiak continued flying until he was 95 and now has a family comprised of five children, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Marusiak, who turned 100 April 19, continues to reflect on his career as a fighter pilot as being some of the best days of his life while still living with his family in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Created by: 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Luke AFB, Arizona

References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of Defense or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.

• Date Taken: 06.01.2017
• Date Posted: 11.06.2017 13:40
• Category: Series
• Video ID: 563195
• VIRIN: 170601-F-F3224-005
• Filename: DOD_105048983
• Length: 00:02:24
• Location: LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ, US
• Hometown: LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ, US
• Hometown: SCOTTSDALE, AZ, US