NRC Rock Island Sailors Honor World War II Veteran on his 99th Birthday

16 July 2025

From Chief Information Systems Technician Darryl G. Howlett

A World War II Navy veteran experienced a birthday celebration his family will never forget.

Roald Leland Zvonik, who served during World War II in the Pacific theater as a Seaman 1st Class, Rock Island Sailors with members of the Quad Cities community distinguished Roald
community during a surprise celebration inside the Reserve Center.

Sailors and Marines served as the ceremonial Side Boys and Color Guard as part of the celebration on May 13, 2025. Navy Reserve Center Rock Island (NRC) Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Andrew Heil spoke on Zvonik’s courage during his time in the Navy.

“It is a profound honor to stand before you today to celebrate not only a birthday, but a legacy - one that spans nearly a century, that of Mr. Roald “Mr. Z” Zvonik, a son of the Greatest
Generation, who turns 99 years young today,” he said. “He was assigned to the USS LST-722, a humble vessel with a mighty mission. These Landing Ship Tanks were not designed to draw
attention, but to deliver supplies, troops, and resolve onto the shores of war. Mr. Z served as a 20mm anti-aircraft gunner, standing watch aboard a ship that would take part in the Philippine Campaign, including two landings and one invasion. In the heat, chaos, and fear of war, he stood his post with quiet fortitude.”

United States Representative Eric Sorensen, Democrat of Illinois, sent a personalized birthday video, while the Garrison Commander of Rock Island Arsenal, Colonel William J. Parker III, and his Command Sergeant Major Michael J. Asuncion, attended.

Guests learned that after the war, Zvonik returned to the United States, worked and retired from federal service at the Rock Island Arsenal. Later in retirement, he worked with the crew that
brought USS LST-325 back to the United States from Greece in 2001. Coincidentally, USS LST- 325 will visit Muscatine, Iowa in September, 2025.

Command Senior Enlisted Leader Senior Chief Petty Officer Salimah Muhammad stated that it was an honor to celebrate Zvonik and expressed pride in the Reserve Center staff in putting the ceremony together.

“I would like to thank Lieutenant Commander Heil, Yeoman Petty Officer First Class Dylan Jacobs, Barb Zvonik-Siefker, Karen Zvonik-Petersen, Lisa Olson, Michelle Chavez, and the
NRC Rock Island staff for organizing a memorable birthday celebration for Mr. Roald Zvonik.

We were grateful to be able to share this moment with his family and friends and will cherish the countless memories. I would also like to thank Eric Sorensen, Hillary Laskonis, Carma Chavez, Colonel Parker, and Command Sergeant Major Asuncion for joining us today! I think all of us here relished the chance to meet Mr. Z and hear the stories of one of the last remaining combat veterans of World War II.”
Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Richard S. Lofgren

Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.

 

 
Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Luke A. Frost

Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.

 

 
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

Rear Admiral John Saccomando

Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.

 

 
Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Rear Admiral Gregory K. Emery

Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.

 

 
Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios

Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.

 

 
Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

Master Chief Robert W. Lyons II

Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.


 
Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

Master Chief Van "Chris" Louvier

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.


 

Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.

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