James Silvio Sr.

James Frank Silvio, Sr.

HAUGHTON, LA - Born on the 21st day of October 1932 in Haverhill, Mass. He was the third child of ten to Marco and Teresa Silvio of Haverhill.

Attended school in Haverhill until he left home without parental consent at fifteen to join the U. S. Army. He was shipped to Fort Dix, New Jersey for basic training and was on the firing range ten days later when his superior officer found out his true age and sent him home.

He, then, worked in his father's shoe shop for two years making shoes. When he turned seventeen he persuaded his father to sign enlistment papers for the U. S. Air Force in 1949. He was sent to Lackland A.F.B. in San Antonio, Texas for basic training and went on to Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Silvio was in Korea in 1950-51 and flew 205 missions flying as a gunner on B-26's. While flying a mission to destroy a hydro-electric plant and dam, his plane was damaged and the only one of four to return to base. He and the pilot crash landed with the plane. The pilot was killed and Mr. Silvio lost both knee caps. He woke up sixteen days later in a Tokyo hospital, was then assigned to a hospital in California for R & R. After recovering he was then assigned to Barksdale A.F.B. for Gunnery School and Inflight Refueling Training. He spent four years on a KC97, then assigned to Pease A.F.B. in New Hampshire for further training. Jimmy Silvio went to Viet Nam in 1967 and flew 65 missions before being reassigned to Barksdale A.F.B. for major surgery on his legs. Mr. Silvio flew 270 combat missions. His injury required eight major surgeries and was discharged in 1971 with 100% disability. Later, he served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Bossier Sheriff's Department for 21 years. He was an integral part of "Operation Blessings" annual Christmas food delivery.

His citations include the Purple Heart, two Commendation Medals, nine Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Crew Medal, National Service Defense Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal,

Air Force Expeditionary Medal, Japanese Occupation Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Four Presidential Service Medals, Korean Presidential Medal and The Distinguished Flying Cross.

Mr. Silvio became a Master Mason at Cedar Grove Lodge in 1958, completing EA-FC-MM in three weeks. He was a certificate holder for over 50 years. Mr. Silvio has personally taught over 300 men their Masonic work and has put on several hundred degrees. Mr. Silvio served as Worshipful Master in 1973 and 1979. He completed his work on the York - Scottish Rite Degrees and was a member for 57 years. He was also a member of the Sons of Italy and a member of Spirit Wind Ministries.

Jimmy Silvio completed his education at L.S.U. Shreveport in 1976, being on the Dean's honor list for two years. During this time he wrote and published a book of poems. He was gifted with a photographic memory and a friend once told him he would be interested in knowing his study habits he developed while in school. His answer was, "Get out of here! I don't know about any study habits. I just memorize the books!"

Jimmy Silvio is survived by his wife Bobbie Silvio of Haughton Louisiana. He is the father of five, Kathy Leone of Granbury, Texas, Annette Mapes of Shreveport, Louisiana, Victoria Melody Silvio of Shreveport, Louisiana, Bobbi Silvio of Corpus Christi, Texas, Jimmy Silvio, Jr. of Shreveport, Louisiana, Rick McCann of Haughton, Louisiana, Sandy Hathaway of Panama City, Florida and Wayne McCann of Chandler, Texas. Grandfather of ten, great-grandfather of thirteen, eight brothers and sisters and a friend to many.

Mr. Silvio is preceded in death by Marie Silvio his wife of 50 years, step son Jerry Fraiser and brother Johnny Silvio.

A special thanks to the staff of Willis Knighton Bossier Hospital, the Bossier Sheriff's Department and Claudio Giacalone.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 22nd from 1-5 pm at Hill Crest in Haughton. Services on Sunday at 3:30 at the Hill Crest Chapel. Officiating the service will be Bobbie Dean, pastor of Spirit Wind Ministries and Bossier Sheriff Chaplain Ed Baswell.

Pallbearers will be Sheriff Larry Dean, Tim Mapes, Rick McCann, Deputy Gary Plunkett, Chief Deputy Don Rittenberry, Deputy Les Porter and Assistant Chief Don Burling. Honorary pallbearers are Wright Warr and Tommy McWilliams.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to "Operation Blessings" at the Bossier Sheriff's Department, 204 Burt Blvd., Benton, Louisiana 71106.

Condolences may be shared online at www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com