Veterans in the Firm

Proud Veterans In The Firm

Robert Maguire

Private Robert Daniel Maguire died in France in August 1944 at the age of 20, a few months after D-Day, fighting for his country. His nephew and namesake, now a Tallmadge Attorney, was born a few years later.

Private Robert was the youngest of four brothers from Akron, Ohio, three of whom served in the U.S. military during World War II. Paul, father of Attorney Robert, was a buck sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a drill sergeant stationed in Aberdeen, Maryland, focused on training new troops. William was a sailor on a destroyer in the Pacific Theater of the war. His ship led the charge against the Japanese at Okinawa Island, a decisive battle of the war in the Pacific.

When a solider or sailor was killed during the war, the government would only inform the family that their son had died in action with no details of what happened. Due to this, it was many months before his parents and the remaining Maguire brothers learned the full story of what happened to Robert.

After a long hard day of training troops, Paul went to one of his favorite watering holes in Aberdeen to have a few drinks. There he befriended another soldier, and they struck up a conversation. At that time, it was customary to look at the soldier’s left shoulder and address him by his rank, such as sergeant or private. For some reason, after a lengthy conversation, the acquaintance asked Paul where he was from and he responded “Akron, Ohio.” He then asked what his last name was, and Paul stated “Maguire.” There was about the same chance of a meteor hitting Paul on the way back to the barracks as what he was about to learn from his new acquaintance.

The new friend indicated a soldier in his jeep patrolling in France in August 1944, two months after D-Day had the same name. In that moment, Paul learned how Robert lost his life. The soldier replied that Robert, a third soldier, and him were patrolling in a jeep. When they reached the crest of a hill German snipers started firing and all three jumped out. The driver, who was telling the story, jumped from the driver's side while Robert and the third soldier dived from the other side. The man Paul befriended at that bar was the only one to survive to tell the story. Attorney Robert enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve in January 1967, at the heart of the Vietnam War. He spent the worst nine weeks of his life in bootcamp in Cape May, New Jersey getting hollered at and disciplined. To this day he cannot understand why anyone would want to go to that city for fun!

Maguire was so inculcated with Coast Guard language that to this day, he will tell someone to “secure the door” instead of close it, and he refers to the floor as “the deck” and walls as “bulkheads.” When he wants a law firm employee to hurry and get something done, the instruction is to “turn to.” In his law class or law firm, if someone makes a substantial mistake, he threatens to “keel haul” him/her. Maguire will often check if a new employee or law student is understanding things and getting comfortable, he will ask them if they have gotten their “sea legs.”

Growing up, there was no doubt in Attorney Robert’s mind that his father was a drill instructor. He often treated Attorney Robert and his brothers like trainees, ordering that they “turn to” the moment he entered a room.

Still to this day, when someone uses the word “rope” Maguire cringes. He can still hear Boatswain’s mate Zawawa barking “you ass rag, that’s line, not rope. The only rope on the boat is the short thing to ring the dinner bell.”

Robert was stationed on a training ship. After active duty he was commonly aboard patrol boats in Los Angeles Harbor and then on Lake Erie after moving back to Ohio. He was proud to be a part of the Coast Guard because the branch is dedicated to saving lives and improving marine safety.

Maguire was a founding trustee of Warriors Journey Home of Tallmadge. It is an organization dedicated to helping and supporting veterans throughout their military service and return home.

The Maguires’ loyalty to the military and those who have served extends beyond Attorney Robert’s father, uncles, and himself. His wife, Deborah, volunteered for many years as a dog trainer for Golden Paws Assistance Dogs of Naples, Florida. She trained Golden Retrievers and Labradors as service dogs that were adopted by wounded soldiers or disabled children. The dogs would live with Deb and Robert from puppyhood until they were about two years old to ensure they were fully trained to take care of their new master’s every need. When the dogs were adopted out it was hard to say goodbye because it was like giving up their first born.

At Maguire Schneckenburger Legal Group, there is a memorial that includes pictures of all the Maguire military men, Private Robert’s burial flag, and his purple heart. There is also a picture of the other veteran in the law firm, along with pictures of Deb and Ivan, her star service dog when he was in training.

Joel A. Holt

Attorney Joel A. Holt served on active duty in the United States Air Force from 1998 to 2002. He served as an Electronic Warfare technician and maintained the electronic countermeasures system on the E-3 AWACS aircraft (https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104504/e-3-sentry-awacs/). Attorney Holt was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where he served with distinction, receiving several medals for meritorious service. Attorney Holt was a key resource for his squadron in support of Operation North Watch to enforce the northern “no fly zone” of Iraq where he earned a reputation for technical skill, diligence, and teamwork.

In 2001, Attorney Holt was reassigned to the 552^nd AGS Debrief section, where his technical skill and knowledge of the AWACS’ systems was maximized to identify, track, and report mechanical and electronic system malfunctions. While in Debrief, Attorney Holt played a key role in quality control to ensure that aircraft remained mission-ready and prepared to function safely, whether for training exercises or deployment. After 9/11, Attorney Holt supported Operation Enduring Freedom and was primarily responsible for briefing command level staff regarding the status and condition of the AWACS fleet.

Due to the high demand for AWACS support globally, and even more so during Operation Enduring Freedom, Tinker AFB was one of the highest “operations tempo” bases in the Air Force. Despite a grueling work and deployment schedule, Attorney Holt completed his bachelor’s degree in business management with honors while serving on active duty. Near the end of his active-duty enlistment, Attorney Holt decided to take the LSAT exam, and subsequently to attend law school.

Attorney Holt was honorably discharged from active duty in April 2002.