Rep. Mike Levin Honors 101-year-old WWII Veteran Alfred Sabory as May 2026 Constituent of the Month
Alfred Sabory
San Clemente, CA—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) named 101-year-old WWII veteran Alfred Sabory as his May 2026 Constituent of the Month. Alfred, a California native and current San Clemente resident, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at just 17 years old. He served as a radio operator and .50-caliber machine gunner aboard a B-17 bomber with the 8th Air Force, 457th Bomber Group, 740th Bombardment Squadron, stationed at Glatton Air Base in England in 1944.
Over the course of some of the war’s most perilous missions, Alfred and his squadron earned the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Presidential Unit Citation for operations over France and Germany. He personally received the European Combat Medal, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.
When Alfred’s crew became eligible for rotation home after 25 missions, they instead volunteered to continue flying in order to fill depleted ranks and support the Allied invasion of France. On his 29th mission, D-Day, June 6, 1944, Alfred’s B-17 came under heavy anti-aircraft fire while bombing targets at Normandy and near Paris. He sustained serious wounds, and though the damaged aircraft managed to return to England, he spent three months recovering in a Scottish hospital before being transported home aboard a hospital ship. He was discharged in late 1945 as a Technical Sergeant.
After the war, Alfred earned a degree in Business Administration and a postgraduate teaching credential from San Jose State University, where he also competed on the boxing team. He went on to build a distinguished career in education, serving as a teacher across multiple California school districts, including Marina, Hollister, Campbell, Santa Cruz, and San Carlos. He later held administrative roles such as Business Manager, Vice Principal, and Principal of Jubilee Christian School.
He and his wife Alice shared 50 years of marriage until her passing in 2000.
Following his career in education, Alfred dedicated himself to advocacy work with Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA) in South Santa Clara Valley, guiding seniors through the complexities of Social Security benefits and helping resolve personal finance matters with financial institutions on their behalf.
Alfred currently resides in San Clemente, which is also home to his dedicated daughter, Darlene Gerdts.
See below for Rep. Levin’s statement recognizing Alfred Sabory in the Congressional Record:
“Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Alfred Sabory, a 101-year-old World War II Veteran, as my Constituent of the Month for May 2026.”
“Alfred Sabory is a man who has embraced every chapter of his life with purpose — and he shows no signs of slowing down. When duty called, he stepped forward to defend our nation against the forces of fascism and the Axis powers, and he stayed in the fight long after he could have come home. For many, service in a world war would define a lifetime.”
“Yet after his extraordinary bravery abroad, he devoted himself to educating the next generation here at home. He stands as one of the finest examples of a life given in service to others.”
“From safeguarding liberty on foreign soil to inspiring young people in the classroom to championing the well-being of our seniors, Alfred Sabory has spent more than a century strengthening this nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this exceptional American.”
ABOUT THE CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH PROGRAM:
Rep. Levin’s Constituent of the Month program recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and represent the best of our country. Rep. Levin’s April Constituent of the month was the Crow Force Robotics Team, an outstanding group of 19 students and their teacher-advisor from Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad. Levin’s March 2026 Constituent of the Month was Susan Parmelee, an outstanding San Clemente resident, founder and Executive Director of the Wellness & Prevention Center.
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