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About The Blonde Bombshell: Robert Joseph Hirsch (Unabridged)

Born in 1923 in Buffalo, New York, Robert Joseph Hirsch, nicknamed "The Blonde Bombshell" for his dominating play as a Cornell football lineman, lived a remarkable life of valor and achievement. This intimate biography by retired Marine Colonel Daniel Hunter Wilson chronicles Bob’s journey from a South Buffalo youth, excelling in sports, to a World War II hero and influential civic leader. At 18, inspired by his older brother’s example, Bob joined the Army Air Corps. As a C-47 pilot, he flew 167 missions, including paratrooper drops during Operation Market Garden and wounded evacuations in the Battle of the Bulge, earning air medals and distinction. His puppy, Tiger, smuggled across the Atlantic, became a squadron mascot featured in the Stars and Stripes, and then became a global sensation. Post-war, Bob balanced Cornell football, an NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, and engineering studies, choosing a career over sports. He married Ethel, his high school sweetheart, sharing a 76-year marriage and raising 10 children. Professionally, Bob thrived at Lincoln Electric, later founding Acme Builders Supply and Plantec Corporation. In 1969, he moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, owning Gold’s Gym (now Iron Legacy) and advancing energy engineering. As mayor (1974-1978), he modernized governance, annexed the Air Force base, and updated building codes, spurring tourism growth. He served as South Carolina’s Secretary of Energy and led the state’s Hall of Fame for 26 years, earning the Order of the Palmetto. Drawn from three years of conversations, this biography weaves Bob’s words with historical context, exploring his Depression-era roots, friendships with figures like Warren Spahn, and resilience through losses, including Ethel’s passing in 2022. At 101, Bob’s faith, family, and daily exercise inspire. The Blonde Bombshell celebrates the American Dream, appealing to fans of Undaunted Gladiator and Out of Africa and into the Corps .