Connecticut native Sgt. John Lee Levitow, a highly decorated Air Force airman and Medal of Honor recipient, is the namesake of this skilled nursing facility. A man of quiet courage and unwavering generosity, Levitow dedicated his life to serving veterans. He inspired countless enlisted personnel throughout his service and continues to be a symbol of bravery and selflessness.
A lifelong resident of Glastonbury and Rocky Hill, Sgt. Levitow worked on Veterans issues for over 22 years with both the U.S and Connecticut Departments of Veterans' Affairs, including years of service as assistant to Connecticut's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. He died on the grounds of the Connecticut State Veterans Home in November 2000 after a long battle with cancer.
Levitow was born in Hartford and attended Glastonbury High School, originally planning to join the United States Navy. He changed his mind and joined the Air Force in 1966 – and would become one of the most respected and famous airmen in U.S. history.
"John Levitow is a true Connecticut hero and treasure," said former Governor Rell during the dedication of the new Sgt. John L. Levitow Veterans Health Center on May 22nd, 2008. "It is the totality of his life – most especially his loyal and tireless service to Connecticut veterans after he left the military – that make this tribute so fitting. Despite his enormous courage, he was a very unassuming, humble public servant who always put others first. I think he would be very proud of this beautiful facility that will forever bear his name on a campus that he loved so very much."
Levitow is one of only 17 men to have received the Medal of Honor since the Air Force's inception in 1947. For many years, he had the honor of being the lowest ranking airman to ever receive the nation's highest military honor. Levitow was cited for bravery in 1969. He saved the lives of his eight crew members. He did this after being critically injured as a loadmaster on a mortar-attacked AC-47 gunship. It happened while he was flying a night combat mission over South Vietnam. President Richard M. Nixon gave Levitow the Medal of Honor. Levitow was just 24 years old at the time. The ceremony was on Armed Forces Day at the White House on May 14, 1970.
After flying on C-130s out of McGuire, Levitow deployed to Vietnam as part of the Air Force's 3rd Special Operations Squadron. On February 24, 1969, he was asked to fill in for the regular loadmaster on an armed AC-47, codenamed "Spooky 71." They were on a night combat support mission over Long Binh, Vietnam. The crew was setting up magnesium flares. They burn upon ignition to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit to light ground troops. But, a mortar round from the North Vietnamese hit the aircraft. It sent thousands of pieces of shrapnel through the aircraft's fuselage.
The entire cabin crew was hit with shrapnel, including Levitow, who suffered 40 wounds in his legs, side, and back. He had extensive injuries and severe blood loss. But he still rescued a fellow crew member from near the open cargo door. Then, he saw a loose, ignited flare rolling around on the cargo floor. It was among the ammo cans that held over 19,000 rounds of live ammo. Levitow threw himself upon the burning flare. He hugged it tight to his body and dragged himself to the back of the aircraft. There, he was able to hurl it through the open door. This saved the aircraft and its crew from certain destruction.
Levitow spent two-and-a-half months in a hospital recovering from his wounds. Then, he returned to Vietnam for a second tour of duty and 20 more combat missions. He left the Air Force as a sergeant in 1974 before beginning his long career as a veterans advocate. He served as a congressional liaison for the Federal Veterans Administration (VA) in Connecticut. He was also the chief of medical administration for the Newington VA Medical Center. In 1991, he joined the Connecticut Department of Veterans' Affairs as Director of Planning before advancing to become Senior Assistant to the Commissioner.
Sgt. Levitow was brave and deeply cared for his crew. His actions are legendary in the U.S. Air Force. They set an example for today's airmen and noncommissioned officers. The "John L. Levitow Award" is the highest award presented to the top graduate of every Air Force professional military education course.