For Bill Rompa, a Vietnam veteran and former Addison resident, stories matter. By sharing his own, he isn’t just telling the tale of a young man navigating military life—a feat in itself—he’s preserving history and honoring the experiences of those who served.
His new memoir, Power Pro Man: An Allegory of a Lessor Known Viet Nam Era Airforce Warrior, chronicles his time in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1969, detailing his experiences as a Power Production Specialist in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and in the United States. At its heart, Bill’s book is also a personal reflection—on service, resilience, and the life lessons he hopes to pass down to future generations.
Growing Up in Addison
Bill Rompa’s journey began in Chicago, where he grew up before moving to Addison at age 13.
“When my folks moved to Addison in August 1960, I had lived my life up until then in the streets of Chicago’s west side—I knew nothing else.”
In 1960, Addison was home to about 6,700 people, a vast contrast to the over 35,000 residents it has today.
“There was a corn field across the intersection of Mill Road and Memory Lane where we lived, it was a brand-new subdivision. Pheasants and rabbits visited our backyard constantly and were so fun to see, something I could never have experienced in the city of Chicago.”
At the time when his family moved to Addison, Army Trail Elementary School was under construction, but by spring of the next year, Bill and his classmates attended the brand-new school—and became the first eighth grade graduating class of 1961.
“Mr. Coppola was our principal, and Mr. Downs was our teacher,” he reminisces. “This is something I will always be proud of to be a part of historically and will never forget.”
As a teenager, Bill discovered the value of hard work early on. “Even at 13, I found ways to earn money, working in Addison and Itasca restaurants as a dishwasher and kitchen helper,” he says. “I opened a savings account at Addison Savings and Loan, where my folks had their mortgage. I learned through hard work and discipline I could get ahead and make something of myself.”
Bill also fondly remembers his experience with the Addison Public Library.
“There was a book I wanted to read, Hot Rod by Henry Gregor Felsen. It was very popular at Willowbrook and there was an extremely long waiting list to check it out. But I found that book was available at the Addison Public Library and read and re-read it cover to cover several times before it was due back. This may have been a small part in my desire to write and become a writer and author.”
Now his own book, Power Pro Man, is available in the Addison Public Library’s collection for checkout.
From Addison to the Air Force
By the time he reached his senior year at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Bill made the decision to leave school early. He spent the summer on the west coast before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1965.
As a Power Production Specialist, he was responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical generators at remote bases—critical work for keeping radar and communication systems operational. His military career took him from Texas for training to the Philippines, and eventually, to Vietnam.
His service across the globe brought its share of challenges, but it also led to surprising, small-world reunions. “I ran into one of my eighth-grade classmates years later at Tan Son Nhut Air Base outside Saigon South Viet Nam,” he recalls. “It was a real unexpected thrill and remembrance of growing up in Addison.”
Writing Power Pro Man
Bill’s inspiration for writing Power Pro Man was twofold. First, as a member of the American Legion for over 50 years, he wanted to document his experiences for future generations.
“Veterans are encouraged to record their military memoirs ‘for the record,’ so to speak,” he explains. “The stories of World War II, Korean War, and Viet Nam veterans are being lost daily.”
But perhaps even more personally, he wrote for his twin granddaughters. “I wanted them to have a record of ‘what Grandpa did in the war’ when they’re old enough to ask and understand."
The process of writing and editing the book took four years, and it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that he eventually put pen to paper.
“A nearby veterans' home lost 19 residents to the virus, and my wife and I were stuck at home, trying to stay safe,” he explains. “She took up quilting, and I decided to finally write my story.”
He drew inspirations and recollections from a box of old slides and records he found in his attic, working late into the night to bring his story to life.
Though Power Pro Man is a personal account, it also serves as a broader testament to the lives of enlisted military personnel.
“Many military books are written by commissioned officers—fighter pilots, submarine captains, Army generals,” Bill notes. “I wanted to record what it was like from the ground up at basic training—how enlisted men and women lived, worked, ate, slept, and carried out our assignments day after day, week after week, and month after month.”
A Legacy for Future Generations
Bill’s story is not just about military service; it’s about determination, growth, and leaving a lasting legacy.
Through Power Pro Man, he ensures that his experiences, and those of many other enlisted service members, are not forgotten. For Bill, the most important lesson he hopes to pass down is one he learned in the military: perseverance.
“If you have a problem, fix it,” he says. “Don’t give up. Break it down, solve each piece, and never stop trying. You can do it.”
After returning to the U.S. in 1967, Bill Rompa was stationed in Oregon and North Dakota before receiving an honorable discharge in 1969. He went on to earn a degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Eastern Oregon College and later completed an MBA at Oregon State University. He is currently retired and makes his home in Albany, Oregon with his wife Darlene.
Power Pro Man is available in the Addison Public Library’s collection for check out.