++Lt. Col. Zachariah T. STANBOROUGH++ was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Thomas Stanborough of Australia and Catherine Johnson Stanborough of New Orleans. The oldest of three children, he had a sister, Thelma Rita Stanborough Blalock, and a brother, Thomas William Stanborough. Zach was an active youth, playing football for his school and becoming one of the first young men in the New Orleans area to be awarded the rank Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America. Zach was often looked to as the "man of the house" while his father was serving as a Ship's Master, frequently away at sea. The family moved to Metairie (still within the New Orleans metropolitan area) in 1924, purchasing a home on Metairie Heights. This home remained in the Stanborough family until 2006, when it was demolished after Hurricane Katrina.

Zach took his exit exams for Metairie High School early, graduating in 1932. He obtained a Seaman's Protection Certificate and began working as a "wiper" aboard international sailing ships for Lykes Brothers in October 1932. Within a few years, Zach knew that the life of a sailor was not for him, and he accepted new employment as a "materials man" with Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans. He was still working for the shipyard when war broke out. However, his time traveling the globe had definitely ignited a wanderlust!

During World War II, Zach first planned on staying home to assist his mother. His father was already serving in the Merchant Marine, his sister was already working for the Army Air Corps, and his brother was already stationed with the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Arizona prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor (see notes at the bottom of this bio). But, Zach soon realized he could not remain out of the conflict, and he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on March 28, 1942.

After graduating from training as a bomber pilot, Zach was assigned to active duty in May 1943 and sent to Horham, England (East Anglia region). He initially served as a B-17 Co-Pilot with the 95th Bomb Group, predominantly with the 336th and 412th Squadrons of the 8th Air Force. After more advanced training, Zach served as a Command Pilot. In this role, Zach was in command of the bomber group, flying in the lead plane in formation as they entered the combat zone. It was extremely unusual for a pilot of Zach's experience and rank to be appointed to Command Pilot, and this status is truly a testament to his skill and mettle.

Zach flew 22 combat missions and 4 relief missions (operating over Nazi-occupied Germany, France, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Poland and Czechoslovakia). Flying in a B-17 was extremely dangerous work, with a shockingly high mortality rate. Statistically, the average life expectancy of a pilot or co-pilot in the 8th Air Force was 12-14 missions; tail gunners and ball turret gunners had an average life expectancy of only 4 missions. However, the planes that Zach piloted beat these odds significantly, with only 1 injury and 0 fatalities among his crew mates over 26 missions.

Zach was discharged from active duty in June 1945, having achieved the rank of Captain. He continued to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for the next 30 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Zach's military awards include: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, three Presidential Unit Citations, European Theater of Operations Medal with 7 battle stars, Victory Europe Medal, American Defense Medal, and U.S. Air Force Reserve Medal.

Following the war, Zach first returned to Metairie. He tried a number of commercial ventures during his lifetime, including running a flight service, selling and installing miniblinds, operating a sandwich shop, developing real estate, and more. It was this dabbling that brought him to Shreveport, Louisiana, for a real estate venture, where he met his future bride, Juanita Harrison. Together, they returned to Metairie, where Zach started building houses in a large field on the outskirts of Metairie. This area was soon to be known as the neighborhood of Bonnabel. He selected the spot with the highest elevation, and there he built his home (1900 Feronia Street), where he lived for the remainder of his life. The home survived Hurricane Katrina, with Zach inside it because he refused to evacuate! However, it did not survive the swarms of termites that came after the storm and literally ate the home out from under him. Sadly, this home was also sold and demolished.

Zach was unable to have children due to complications from the mumps he contracted while serving in Horham. But, he and his wife Juanita led a very active life and were beloved by their nieces and nephews. They traveled frequently, both abroad and in the U.S. They made numerous trips to the Pacific regions, always stopping over to visit the memorial for Zach's brother, Tommy, who died in the Solomon Sea during World War II. Another frequent destination was Australia, to visit Stanborough relatives. They also attended several of the reunions for the 95th Bomb Group over the years. Zach was colorful and boisterous, loved or hated by all who knew him (there was no middle ground!). He was fiercely devoted to his family and eagerly served as the family historian.

Zach was active with a number of organizations at various times, including serving with his wife as a guide for Youth Tours throughout Europe and serving as an elder with Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Church. Zach also worked with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, helping to establish the Thomas W. Stanborough Post No. 4275 in Metairie, in honor of his brother. He was a member of National Sojourners, Air Force Association, Retired Officers Association, Disabled American Veterans #33 of Metairie, and Past President of Metairie High School Alumni Association. With the Masonic Lodge, Zach was Past Master of Ideal Lodge #367 F&AM and Dual Member of Metairie Lodge #444 F&AM; Past Patron of Rob Morris Chapter No. 1, O.E.S. and Germania Chapter 190, O.E.S.; Degree Master and New Orleans Scottish Rite Bodies 32nd Degree; and Royal Order of Scotland.

A funeral and religious services were held at Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home in Metairie, Louisiana, with military honors and interment at Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans.

Other members in Zach's family who served during World War II include his sister, Thelma Stanborough Blalock (a civilian employee with the Army Air Corps); his brother, Thomas William Stanborough (in the Navy, a survivor of the U.S.S. Arizona, later died in the Solomon Sea); his father, ++Thomas Stanborough++ (a naturalized American who served as Ship's Master for the Merchant Marine, sunk by U-158 in the Gulf of Mexico); his brother-in-law, Dennis Ferrell Blalock (an infantry commander with the Army); and numerous cousins.

---Biography researched and written by Evelyn Park Blalock

Zach T Stanborough