Seneca Battalion Hall of Fame
Members Inducted in 2001
Rev. Bernard R. Creighton, O.F.M. '61
Chaplain of Seneca Battalion Cadets
Father Bernard R. Creighton, O.F.M. is the son of Stanley J. and Helen M. (Palizay) Creighton. Born on 7 December 1939, he shares Elmira, New York origin with Army ROTC Hall of Fame charter member Brig. Gen. (Ret) Joseph L. Nagel '56. He was graduated from St. Peter and Paul's (1953) and Notre Dame High School, Elmira in 1957, and enrolled as a freshman journalism student at St. Bonaventure University in 1957.
He was an ROTC student and member of the corps of cadets during his first two collegiate years before earning his bachelor of arts in journalism in 1961. A year later, Creighton entered the Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province. He professed Solemn Vows in the Franciscan Order in 1966, and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1967.
Father Bernard served in the Vocation Office of Holy Name Province, edited the Provincial Annals historical magazine and served on the staff of St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, New York. He served at St. Bonaventure University for 22 years as the executive secretary of the world-renowned Franciscan Institute. In this capacity, his contributions to the Institute's printing, publishing and business operations helped to maintain the Institute's reputation, along with Assisi, as the center for studying the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
Upon the death of their Chaplain, Father David Sweeney in 1993, ROTC cadets approached "Father Bernie," and asked him to accept the responsibility of becoming their next chaplain. He graciously accepted, and since that time, has offered reflective invocations and benedictions at nearly every cadet activity, from the military ball, to awards ceremonies, and has continued the time-honored tradition of blessing their second lieutenant bars at the commissioning ceremony. In the tradition of Hall of Fame members Father David and Father Dominic Ternan '37, Father Bernie has been a chaplain to men and women who seek wisdom and grace in fulfilling their responsibilities to their Nation.
In his present post of Vicar of St. Anthony Friary in Butler, New Jersey, Father Bernard assists the Guardian in the care of the resident friar community. He serves as a weekend assistant at St. James Church, Red Bank, New Jersey, as well as a weekday Mass assistant at St. Anthony's Church, Butler, New Jersey, and at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Boonton, New Jersey. He is a past recipient of St. Bonaventure University's Mark Hellinger Award, and is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He is honored to have two uncles who were active duty U.S. Army Air Corps members in World War II. Lawrence Creighton, St. Bonaventure Class of 1939, trained glider pilots at Twenty-nine Palms, California and in Florida. Donald Ripley flew combat missions in the European Theatre. A cousin, U.S. Air Force Lieut. Col. (Ret) Robert J. Levanduski served in intelligence communications on Taiwan during the Vietnam War.
Always aware of the University Army ROTC program's need for young men and women of high academic, physical and spiritual qualities, Father Bernard continues to identify suitable candidates for the program, and has achieved the legacy of being a well-respected and highly likeable member of the University's ROTC family.
Paul S. Izzo '75
Brigadier General
Born on 22 October 1953 in Saratoga Springs, New York, Paul S. Izzo earned a bachelor of business administration degree and was commissioned as an armor second lieutenant through St. Bonaventure University's Army ROTC program in 1975. Upon completing the Armor officer Basic Course, he was assigned as a tank platoon leader in the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. Following assignments as a company executive officer and battalion maintenance officer, he graduated from the Armor Officer Advanced Course and was ordered to Germany in 1980.
As a captain in Germany, he was an assistant brigade S3 before he commanded a tank company in the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor, 1st Armored Division. He also was that battalion's operations officer before he returned to the U.S. to attend the Materiel Acquisition Management Course. Assigned next to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, he was deputy secretary of the general staff and aide-de-camp before becoming a Bradley and M1A1 live fire test officer. In 1987, he earned a master's of business administration from Central Michigan University, and he graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1989.
In 1989, he returned to Fort Riley as the operations officer of the 3rd Battalion, 37th Armor, 1st Infantry Division, with whom he deployed to Southwest Asia in 1990. Izzo's battalion created the breach in Iraqi defenses during Operation Desert Storm in February 1991, and as a tank commander, he led the battalion task force through the extensive minefields and trenches that made up the Iraqi position. The 3-37 Armor later secured the airfield near Safwan, Iraq, allowing Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf to conduct peace negotiations with an Iraqi delegation of officers that ultimately ended the Persian Gulf War. For his contributions to the victory, Izzo earned two Bronze Stars, one of which was for Valor.
Izzo returned to the U.S. and was named to a one-year fellowship as a liaison officer between the Pentagon and Capitol Hill. In 1993, he was project manager for Constructive Simulations at STRICOM in Orlando, Florida, where he played a key role in developing the concept for WARSIM 2000. He returned to the Pentagon in 1996, where he served as the executive officer to the Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research, Development and Acquisition.)
As a colonel, Izzo assumed an integral responsibility for shaping the current and future Army when he became the project manager for Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS) at TACOM. In this capacity, he oversees the development, production, fielding and logistical support for the BFVS. He is also responsible for overseeing the concept and development of a future generation of fighting vehicles.
A graduate of the Defense Systems Management College and the U.S. Army War College, BG Izzo's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with "V" device and Oak Leaf Cluster, five awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Service Stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti Liberation of Kuwait Medals, Army Staff Badge and Parachutist Badge.
BG Izzo and his wife, Kathleen, have four children, Amy, Paul Jr., Stephen and Matthew.
Maureen K. LeBoeuf '76
Brigadier General, Retired
Maureen K. LeBoeuf was born on 7 December 1953 to Prof. and Mrs. Leo E. Keenan, Jr. in Olean, New York. She graduated from St. Bonaventure University, where she earned a bachelor of science in education in 1976. As a student, she took Army ROTC classes through the Department of Military Science, but ultimately earned her commission through the Army’s College Junior Program, which was a commissioning source for women officers prior to the admission of women into ROTC or the U.S. Military Academy.
Receiving a direct commission as a second lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps, she completed the Women’s Officer Basic Course at Fort McClellan, Alabama and after completing the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, was detailed to the Ordnance Corps. LeBoeuf was assigned to Fort Eustis, Virginia in 1977, where she was the assistant S4, 7th Transportation Group and later a platoon leader and executive officer in the 558th Transportation Company (Floating Craft General Support.)
In 1980, LeBoeuf graduated from the U.S. Army Rotary Wing Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and earning her aviator’s wings, was assigned as executive officer and platoon leader, B Company, 394th Transportation Battalion (Aviation Maintenance), Nellingen, Germany. She also served as the battalion’s S1/adjutant and as a UH-1/UH-60 platoon leader.
She graduated from the Transportation Officer Advanced Course in 1984 and was assigned to Fort McPherson, Georgia where she was an aviation maintenance officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Forces Command. In 1986, she earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Georgia, and was assigned as an instructor in the Department of Physical Education, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Upon completion of Command and General Staff College in 1989, LeBoeuf received orders to report to Fort Carson, Colorado, where she was assigned in the 4th Infantry Division as adjutant/S1 of the 4th Aviation Brigade, assistant division aviation officer and S3 for plans, operations and training. She earned a doctorate in education from the University of Georgia in 1994, and then returned to the U.S. Military Academy as an associate professor and director of instruction in the Department of Physical Education.
In 1997, LeBoeuf graduated from the U.S. Army War College. Promoted to colonel, she became professor and head of the Department of Physical Education at the U.S. Military Academy. The first woman to head a department at West Point since its founding in 1802, LeBoeuf has taught courses ranging from Advanced Close Quarters Combat to Unit Fitness to Downhill Skiing. Her position carries the unique title Master of the Sword, and she has published articles in scholarly, professional, military and popular publications. She has served on a wide variety of committees at West Point and has been involved in many aspects of cadet development and training. She is a member of the U.S. and New York State Alliances of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and has been active in her community, teaching religious education and serving as a lay Eucharistic minister.
BG LeBoeuf’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, four awards of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Aviator Badge.
BG LeBoeuf and her husband, Col. Joseph N.G. LeBoeuf, Jr. have two children, Joseph and Jacqueline.
Richard M. Sroka ’59
Captain
Killed in Action on 13 July 1964 near Hon Quan, South Vietnam
Born on March 25, 1938 to a very religious, Catholic family on Buffalo, New York’s old east side, Richard M. Sroka was given the middle name Marion in honor of the Holy Mother. He came from a family of soldiers. His father fought in World War I and two of his brothers fought in World War II, and Sroka enrolled in the Army ROTC program as a freshman at St. Bonaventure University. In 1958, he began his senior year as cadet colonel of the 700-man ROTC detachment. He graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a commission as an air defense artillery second lieutenant. His classmates voted him the “Ideal Bona Man,” and those who knew him remember him consistently for the quality of his character.
“Dick was far more gung ho regarding ROTC than I ever was,” remembered his roommate, Edwin Reiter. “I can see him, in my mind’s eye, sitting at his desk and polishing his brass as we prepared for a Thursday afternoon session on the parade field.” It was not only in military tasks, however, that Sroka shone. A Delta Epsilon Sigma honor student, he was St. Bonaventure’s nominee for the National Outstanding Catholic Youth Award, where he placed third. He also served as national vice president of the National Federation of Catholic College Students, was features editor of The Bona Venture and a member of the Garret Theater Players. He also sang in the glee club and chorus, was a member of the 105 Club and of the Third Order of St. Francis.
Sroka earned an educational delay to enroll at the University of Chicago, where he earned a master’s degree in international relations. He graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga., before joining the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There, he served as the division information officer and was promoted to captain in 1963. Later that year, he married Mary Frances Sabo and was transferred to the Army Language Institute at the Presidio in California to learn Vietnamese, in preparation for duty with the fledgling military assistance mission in Vietnam. He called this move “adventuresome as well as important for future military opportunities.” Sroka wrote his mentor, St. Bonaventure’s Dr. Russell J. Jandoli, on 6 November 1963, “There is a distinct possibility that I may receive an appointment to teach in the Social Sciences Department at West Point,” adding that he hoped to earn a Ph.D. at Columbia University after his one-year assignment to Vietnam as a military advisor.
A daughter, whom they named Sara, was born to Captain and Mrs. Sroka on 7 June 1964. Ten days later, Sroka deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam. On 13 July 1964, having been in country only a few weeks, he was one of three American officers and 16 Vietnamese soldiers killed in a relief convoy outside of Saigon. Viet Cong soldiers ambushed the convoy, which was moving southward from Hon Quan to help ward off a Viet Cong attack on the district capital of Chon Thanh near the Cambodian border. Two trucks in the 16-vehicle convoy were blown up, while Viet Cong soldiers poured gunfire into the rest. Sroka, one of the first men from western New York to die in the Vietnam War, was buried with full military honors in Pueblo, Colorado and special services were held in Buffalo. Among his many awards, he received posthumously the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and his name appears on Panel 01E, Line 58 of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Paul J. Grekalski ’69
Captain, USAR
Born on 24 September 1947 to Mr. and Mrs. John B. Grekalski in Franklinville, New York, Paul J. Grekalski graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1969 with a bachelor of business administration. Commissioned as a field artillery second lieutenant through the University’s Army ROTC program, he completed the field artillery officer basic course and was assigned as a battery executive officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
In August 1970, Grekalski was ordered to the Republic of South Vietnam, and assigned as a forward observer with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery, attached to the 5th U.S. Cavalry. On 28 November 1970, he distinguished himself when, without regard for his personal safety, during a battle against a determined enemy, he exposed himself to intense hostile fire. Grekalski moved forward to the point of heaviest contact, where he placed an exceptionally heavy volume of suppressive fire on the insurgent forces, inspiring other members of the unit and playing a prominent role in the unit’s successful completion of its mission. For his personal bravery, Grekalski was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor.
On 14 June 1971, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry was outnumbered by a North Vietnamese Army force near the village of Hungloc. Heavily engaged, the company commander was killed. Grekalski was assigned as a forward observer, and according to Company D’s First Sergeant, “Grekalski took command of the company and as a result men that may have been hit or killed were not.” Commanding for two days, he continued to call fire on the enemy, and led the infantry in a series of counterattacks that finally defeated the enemy and secured the objective. For this, Grekalski was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s second highest award for valor. Grekalski returned home, was released from active duty in August 1971 and began a career in education, earning his New York State teaching certification and becoming a teacher of business and a coach in the Keshequa and Oswego School Districts between 1973 and 1979. In 1980, he earned a master of science in education and certificate of advanced study in school administration from the State University of New York at Oswego.
In 1981, he became a principal in the Madison Central School District, then Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Central Square School District. He began his current position as Frewsburg Central School District Superintendent of Schools in 1986. Recognized by Who’s Who in American School Administrators, he holds numerous professional certifications and affiliations and is an adjunct professor of education administration at St. Bonaventure University and SUNY Fredonia, as well as a licensed facilitator for the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” An educational consultant, he is working with Russian officials to create an international school, and his community involvement includes the boards of the Audubon Society, Myers Memorial Library and the Southwestern Regional Planning and Development Commission. He is the co-chairman of the educational division of United Way and Past President of the Frewsburg Pride Group. A recipient of the Eagle Award, he has held leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America. Since 1974, he has served in the U.S. Army Reserve, commanding Engineer and Civil Affairs companies as a captain, before joining the Individual Ready Reserve in 1986.
Grekalski’s military awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star with “V” device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal (second award), Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He and his wife Donna have three children, Paul Jr., Joseph and Amber.
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