Decorated WWII veteran a regular at local eatery

Community Corner:

By SCARLET O’ROURKE
Special to the NEWS

Robert Huff, a decorated veteran of World War II, is shown enjoying a meal at SB Wings in San Benito on Monday. (Photo by Scarlet O’Rourke)

The patrons dining daily at SB Wings may have never known that sitting next to them was a decorated World War II veteran.

At the age of 90, San Benito resident Robert Huff has made it part of his daily routine to eat at the local establishment at least once a day. Huff said eating was one of the few activities he could still do, but 60 years ago to the month, he was stuffing himself with bananas to meet the required weight to enlist in the Air Force.

Major Huff enlisted before the war started and was the lead pilot of a B175 in the 8th Air Force and led 30 missions during the war. His base was stationed in England, and he explained that there were four squads with 10 planes each that flew out of their base. His service lasted eight years and in that time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Jan. 16 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.