Military Career




Francis and his fellow servicemen.

Col. Francis M. Mezzatesta

Francis and his fellow servicemen.

Francis in his office on base.

Throughout his illustrious 42-year career within the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Francis distinguished himself as a capable leader, a strong personality, and an exceptionally hard worker. Those who he served with often described him as fair, personable, and concerned primarily with the wellbeing of his subordinates and fellow servicemen. He ensured morale was high by setting the example and raising it in every way possible. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he made the most out of every opportunity that came his way. From looking back through old pictures of him, this career quite literally spanned the entirety of the globe. He was in Japan, Vietnam, Kuwait, Germany, and more places than I think I will ever truly know. The 111th Attack Wing at the Willow Grove Air Base was his home away from home, and the friends he made there were lifelong. Even long after his retirement, he would take his Grandchildren around the base, as well as stop in to see all those who he served with. Below you can read both biographies written about his career for more details on his numerous accolades, with the first being written for his retirement ceremony, and the second being written for his induction into the PA Air National Guard Hall of Fame.







Career Biographies

Retirement Biography

Colonel Francis M. Mezzatesta is the Logistics Group Commander at the 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Gaurd, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

Colonel Mezzatesta was born on February 23rd, 1939 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He attended Bishop Newman High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned his Associates’s Degree and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey. Colonel Mezzatesta completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College by correspondence.

Colonel Mezzatesta joined the Air National Guard in 1957, upon completion of Basic Training at Lackland AFB Texas. He completed the AF Supply School at Sheppard AFB Texas in 1957 and returned to Willow Grove Air Reserve Station in Pennsylvania as a traditional guardsman. In 1961, Colonel Mezzatesta accepted a full-time Air Reserve Technician position as a supply stock record special. From 1972 to 1973, he worked as a procurement/contracting officer, and in 1974 he moved to the Accounting and Finance section as the Guard payroll technician.

In 1975, Colonel Mezzatesta returned to the Supply Squadron as the Supply MICAP (Mission Capability) parts ordering and requisition specialist. In 1978, having become a Senior Master Sergeant and the Supply Superintendent, he was responsible for Supply Procedures and Standardization.

Colonel Mezzatesta received his commission through the Academy of Military Science (AMS) in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1978. When he returned from AMS, he moved into the Management and Procedures Officer position, ensuring the functions in supply were all operating in concert. In 1981, Colonel Mezzatesta became Chief of Supply, responsible for the supply account of the entire Group. At the same time, he was the Assistant US Fiscal and Property Officer for the state of Pennsylvania, responsible for the accurate accountability for real property and equipment on base, ensuring that state monies and properties were not being abused.

In 1990, Colonel Mezzatesta became the Deputy Commander for Resources, overseeing the Supply, Transportation, Procurement, Shipping, and Receiving functions of the Group. In 1992, he assumed his present position as the Logistics Group Commander.

Colonel Mezzatesta is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the Aircraft Maintenance and Logistics Squadrons, making sure the aircraft are mission-ready and fully deployable. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Reserve Force Meritorious Service Medal with five devices, National Defense Service Medal with one device, Armed Force Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two devices, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with eight devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one device and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with one device.

PA Air National Guard Hall of Fame Biography

Colonel Francis M. Mezzatesta distinguished himself by outstanding service to the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard during a military career spanning 42 years from 1957 to 1999.

Beginning his career as an enlisted person in the supply field in 1957, Colonel Mezzatesta’s excellent work ethics were quickly recognized and he was promoted to Sergeant while supporting F-94 aircraft at the Philadelphia International Airport for the 111th Fighter Interceptor Group. When his unit converted to the C-97 aircraft, the young aggressive Mezzatesta decided to change career fields and became a Loadmaster, flying over 4,000 hours including 10 trips to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

At the end of the decade, Sergeant Mezzatesta returned to Base Supply to help with the massive transition from the heavy C-97 transport to the small O-2 Forward Air Control aircraft. He continued to progress through the enlisted ranks becoming a very young Senior Master Sergeant. His supervisors recognized his potential and he was offered a commission. He graduated from the Academy of Military Science as a Captain in 1978 and became the Base Supply Officer. His efforts made Base Supply an efficient, effective organization and in 1981 he was promoted to the Chief of Supply and the rank of Major just in time to lead the 111th through another aircraft transition to the OA-37 Dragonfly.

During the 1980s, Major Mezzatesta assumed additional responsibilities in Transportation and Base Mobility. He brought the unit’s mobility readiness to the highest pinnacle ever achieved and in 1986 was recognized for his many achievements and outstanding leadership by being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and also becoming the commander of the 111th Resource Management Squadron. As a seasoned aircraft conversion specialist, Lieutenant Colonel Mezzatesta provided outstanding leadership when the unit converted to the OA-10 aircraft in 1988 by ensuring the unit had adequate supply, transportation, and fuels. He also commanded the first training deployment with the new aircraft. His proven leadership and excellent work ethics resulted in promotion to Deputy Commander for Resource Management in 1991 and the 111th Logistics Group Commander in 1993. While establishing initiatives of the Motor Pool and Supply facilities, the aircraft maintenance personnel participated in a Quality Air Force Assessment and were awarded eight benchmarks, the highest number of benchmarks achieved by an Air National Guard Unit.

In 1993 when the 111th Fighter Wing was notified to deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch and that they would undergo an Operational Readiness Inspection during the deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Mezzatesta accepted the challenge as the project officer for the deployment. The 111th received an Outstanding rating in Phase I while deploying. When the wing deployed to Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait again in 1995, he acted as both the Deputy Commander for Logistics and the Deputy Commander for Support. This was the first time an Air National Guard officer commanded both active duty and guard members in-theater. He was promoted to Colonel during the deployment.

Colonel Mezzatesta’s illustrious career culminated upon his retirement in 1999, but his contributions will continue to have a positive effect on the 111th Fighter Wing for many years into the future. He is a true Air National Guard leader, leaving a legacy and style for those who follow to emulate, admire, and revere.

The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Francis Mezzatesta during a lifetime of distinguished service reflect great credit upon himself, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, warranting his induction into the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Hall of Fame.