Event Will Include Local Decorated Vietnam War Veteran Bill Driscoll
Oceanside CA— Northstar Senior Living, a recognized leader in the senior living industry, announced that its Ocean Hills Senior Living community in Oceanside will host a free community event to formally dedicate a new flagpole outside the Ocean Hills Independent Living section of community. The ceremony will honor American veterans and the first person to raise a flag on the new pole will be decorated Vietnam War veteran, retired United States Navy commander, and flying ace William Driscoll who will be accompanied by Alex Johnson, an Ocean Hills resident and veteran. After the flag raising, Driscoll will offer short remarks to the attendees.
The event will take place on Wednesday November 10 from 2-4 PM at the Ocean Hills Senior Living Community, located at 4500 Cannon Road in Oceanside, California. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required and may be made by calling (760) 295-8515.
The event will continue the Ocean Hills “Around the World Platinum Passport” cuisine initiative at the community by featuring a true Texas BBQ, including a free traditional Barbeque dinner prepared by Chef Ernest Fong, Dining Services Director at Ocean Hills.
“We are honored that local decorated war hero Bill Driscoll will be able to join us at the Ocean Hills community to honor American veterans as we dedicate this new flagpole,” said Ocean Hills Executive Director Sheryl Johnston. “The entire Ocean Hills team is excited to pay tribute to the veterans that have continued to keep our country and its citizens safe and secure.”
About William Driscoll
William Patrick “Willy Irish” Driscoll is a retired commander in the United States Navy and a flying ace. Driscoll, a Naval Flight Officer, and Duke Cunningham, a Naval Aviator, were their service’s only aces of the Vietnam War. They remain the Navy’s most recently minted aces. The American aces flew as members of two-man crews on F-4 Phantoms, reflecting the emergence of air-to-air missiles as the primary weapons of aerial combat. Driscoll received the service’s second-highest decoration, the Navy Cross, for his role in a 1972 dogfight with North Vietnamese MiGs.
Driscoll graduated from Aviation Officer Candidate School and received his commission as an Ensign (ENS) in the Naval Reserve. He received his Naval Flight Officer wings in 1970 and was assigned to the F-4 Phantom II as a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), part of the two-man aircrews that had been developed to employ the air-to-air missiles that had become the primary weapons of aerial combat. During the war, Driscoll was promoted to lieutenant and was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, a Purple Heart, and ten Air Medals. He was also nominated for the Medal of Honor. He flew 170 combat missions in total and accumulated over 3,300 flying hours in jet aircraft and 500 carrier landings. Driscoll later became an instructor at the U.S. Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He then shifted to the F-14 Tomcat and became an instructor at Fighter Squadron 124 (VF-124), the F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron for the Pacific Fleet at NAS Miramar (now MCAS Miramar), in San Diego, California. He left active duty in 1982, but remained in the United States Navy Reserve, flying the F-4 Phantom II and later the F-14 Tomcat in a Naval Air Reserve fighter squadron at NAS Miramar, eventually retiring with the rank of commander (O-5). He has remained an air combat consultant at TOPGUN and has spoken to all 107 graduating TOPGUN classes.
About Ocean Hills
Ocean Hills Senior Living is a world-class residential community that is integrated into the surrounding suburban area and features classic Mediterranean-style architecture. Providing worry-free care and upscale services and amenities, the community offers state-of-the-art conveniences including apartments with private patios, chef-prepared meals in the on-site restaurant, a movie theater, a sports bar/restaurant, a convenience store, a 6-hole putting green, a pickle ball court, a fitness center with exercise and therapeutic equipment, an art studio, a pool and spa. The community is located on approximately 3.5 acres that features an outdoor terrace suitable for alfresco dining and entertainment, a beautiful rose garden, a dog run and multiple walking trails and viewing lookout areas. It offers luxury Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care services.
Ocean Hills Senior Living is owned by Protea Capital Partners, LLC., and managed by Northstar Senior Living. For more information about the Ocean Hills community, go to oceanhillsseniorliving.com or call 760-295-8515.
About Northstar Senior Living
Northstar Senior Living is one of the premier providers of senior living in the country, with a highly experienced leadership team committed to setting the industry standard for excellence in senior living. Northstar currently provides senior living management and consulting services to a growing portfolio of more than 30 senior living communities across the US and Mexico.