Col. Philip J. Saulnier, a former sports star at the old Lynn Trade and a member of the Lynn Tech Hall of Fame, will be inducted into the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame later this summer.
Saulnier, who lives in Virginia, graduated from Trade in 1956, and, as a senior, captained the football team on which the late “Pistol Pete” Pedro was a freshman.
“I feel about this the same as I felt when someone from the University of Rhode Island called me about giving me an honorary degree,” said Saulnier. “I asked if they were sure they had the right person.”
The one-time Item paperboy was friends with both the late Jim Hegan — a Lynn English standout who later played for the Cleveland Indians — and his son, Mike.
Saulnier began his military career at the age of 17, enlisting in the US Navy Reserve Submarine Service.
In 1957, he enrolled at Bridgton Academy in Maine, a prep school, where he played hockey and football and was co-captain of the football team. He was elected president of his class and inducted into Bridgton’s Hall of Fame in 2006.
Saulnier entered the University of Rhode Island in 1958 on a football scholarship, enrolled in the Army ROTC program for four years. During his senior year, he served as Cadet Colonel of the ROTC Brigade, and was co-captain of URI’s the football team, president of the Scabbard and Blade Society, president of the Rhode Island Letterman’s Club, and selected as Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Additionally, he was a Distinguished Military Graduate and received the URI ROTC Leadership Award.
He graduated from URI in 1962 with a BS in physical education and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry, joining the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. as an Infantry Platoon Leader.
Saulnier volunteered for duty in Vietnam in 1964, and saw combat as an infantry battalion advisor. He was later awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star, and Air Medal for his combat service in Vietnam.
After Vietnam, Saulnier transferred to the Quartermaster Corps and was assigned to the 5th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo., as the Company Commander, A Company, 5th Supply and Transport Battalion and Battalion Executive Officer, where he was promoted to Major.
He went back to Vietnam as a logistics staff officer, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for his combat service. He was also promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and later to a full Colonel.
He was medically retired from the Army in 1985.
“His contribution to the Army continues to expand in multiples,” said Major Gen. Emmett W. Bowers. “The hundreds of officers and non-commissioned officers mentored and supported by him continue to mentor and develop thousands of others.”
Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and was inducted into the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps Hall of Fame in 2002.
In his civilian life, Saulnier is the director, East Region, of the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped. In 2003, Saulnier founded America’s Pride: Supporting Service-Connected Disabled Veterans Inc., an organization providing vocational support to Veterans.
Saulnier and his wife Judy reside in Virginia. They have three children: Colonel Michael P. Saulnier, U.S. Army, Retired; Robert S. Saulnier (deceased); and Dr. Charlotte E. LeMoyne.
“Through my life, I have been in a position to assist and help other people,” said Saulnier, “whether they were soldiers, officers, veterans or individuals with disabilities. I worked for 13 years with national organizations for handicapped. I was used to helping other people, and not being helped by someone else.
“I guess I had some abilities that I wasn’t aware that I had, and it came out when I kept getting selected as president of the class, or co-captain. I was always recognized as a leader.
“I was surprised to get this honor,” he said. “I was used to doing things for other people rather than having them do it for me. That’s who I am.”
