North Huntingdon man among a dwindling number of World War II vets

Robert “Bob” Zaval of North Huntingdon, saw the horrors of war as an Army tank commander fighting in Europe during World War II.

“Boy, it was tough. Your biggest thing was to stay alive,” said Zaval, who recently reflected on his long life before marking his 102nd birthday on Tuesday.

Like many other combat veterans, he does not consider himself a hero. He survived battles in Belgium, Holland, France, Germany and Yugoslavia.

“The real heroes are the ones who are still over there … who never came home,” Zaval said.

Zaval is one of a dwindling breed. Of the more than 16 million Americans who served in the military during World War II, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that only about 120,000 remain alive eight decades after the end of the conflict. Of the Pennsylvanians who served during that war, only about 7,030 were alive this year, according to the VA.

Zaval remains in the modest home he built on Lincoln Way, which he shares with his wife, Helene. He remains mentally sharp and uses a wheelchair to get around.

Zaval, who shortened his name from Zavalydriga, is the father of three children.

Zaval entered the “real world” after graduating from Norwin High School in 1939, part of the nation’s last class of high school graduates before war broke out in Europe in September 1939. With America on the sidelines of the conflict between Nazi Germany and England and France, Zaval landed a job as a steelworker at Fort Pitt Steel Casting Co. in McKeesport.

Anti-war sentiment grew in some segments of society, with an America First movement against any involvement in Europe’s war, but Zaval was not so certain the country would not be dragged into conflict.

“I thought we would get involved,” Zaval said.

Zaval had received some deferments from the military service in the early years of the nation’s involvement that began on Dec. 7, 1941, because his job at Fort Pitt Steel Casting was considered part of the defense industry. But he was called up for duty in 1944.

“You’re glad you did something in the war,” Zaval said.

His experience in the Army got him thinking about continuing his military service after the war was over.

“I was thinking of staying in the Army, if I had not been married,” Zaval said.

His belief in the benefits of military service remains with him.

“Every young man should have a year of military service,” Zaval said.

He returned home to his job at Fort Pitt Steel Casting, where he worked for 43 years, and raised a family.

After spending time cooped up inside a tank during the war, Zaval wanted to soar in the sky and learned to fly at age 50. He bought a small plane even before he had his pilot’s license.

“I loved it. When you are up there by yourself, you are it. Don’t make a mistake,” Zaval said.

He attributed his longevity to his wife, Helene, who has helped him, as well as the choices he has made in his life.

“Don’t drink or smoke. Treat people like you want to be treated.”