Joel A. Green

American Legion Post 480 Commander 2015 –

• Senior Airman
• Served: 1962-1966
• Vietnam War Thule AFB, Greenland
• Heating Systems Specialist
• AFGCM (28 Nov 60 to 27 Nov 63) SO G-5,(20 Jan 64), 305 Bomb Wg
  Awarded: Unit Medals, Air Force Good Conduct Medal
• Honorable Discharge from 305th Civil Engineering Squadron (SAC), Bunker Hill AFB, Indiana

Mr. Green was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 4, 1942, and as a young adult played Semi-Pro Baseball with the Stories Barber Shop Team. His baseball career into the Pro circuit was cut short by the lack of good pay and the good luck of a love in his life. In November, 1960, after graduating from Fenton High School, Joel enlisted in the US Air Force. After Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, he was transferred to the US Naval Schools, Construction, at Port Hueneme, Oxnard, CA, and training to become a heating specialist. He was then transferred to Francis E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, WY, spending 18 months with the, then secret, Missile Maintenance Squadron.
His next assignment took him to Thule, Greenland, where he spent a year, noting that his technical skills, north of the Arctic Circle were very much needed and appreciated!

Joel’s last assignment was Bunker Hill in Peru, Indiana which was renamed to the recently decommissioned Grissom AFB. Again Joel’s heating/cooling skills were called into action when he was assigned to the Main Boiler Room which included work with B58 Hustler Bombers.

Joel spent 4 years on Active Duty and 2 years in the Air Force Reserve. Although he did not see “front line duty” during the Vietnam Conflict, he experienced war in the very important role of support for those who did.
Following his years in the Air Force, he married Sharon and with their three children, lived and worked in Northern Illinois for 27 years. He was employed by Associated Material Handling and lived in Elgin, Lake in the Hills and Sherrard, Illinois.

As a child, Joel was introduced to the Northwoods of Presque Isle, Wisconsin by his step-uncle Elmer Christenson, (a former Post 480 Commander) see Christensen, Elmer M., helping him carve a niche in the woods on Little Horsehead Lake. In his later years as a widower, he moved “Up North”, where he presently lives serving his fellow veterans and non veterans alike. As an active Post 480 American Legion Member, he directs the Good Neighbor Program, providing transportation and Good Morning calls to shut-ins who are in need. Joel served  as Commander of Post 480 (2015 -2021) and was a manager of the Legion Bar and Bingo Caller during the summer months until his health declined. He passed away on July 24, 2022 and on August 6th, 2022 the family invited friends and veterans to a Celebration of Life including a military tribute with an Honor Guard and Twelve Gun Salute at one of Joel’s favorite location Winegar Post 480 American Legion.