Paul Joseph ‘Pojo’ Morvant Sr. USAF (Retired)

Breaux Bridge – A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at St. Bernard Catholic Church for Paul Joseph “Pojo” Morvant Sr., 71, who passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at St. Martin Hospital after a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis.
Visiting hours were observed at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and continued on Saturday at 70 .a.m until 9:30 a.m.
A rosary was prayed at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Rev. Austin Leger officiated at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures were read bye Preston Boudreaux and Paula Granger. Gift Bearers were his wife and children.
Interment followed at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2 in Breaux Bridge.
Born in St. Martinville, Pojo moved with his family to Breaux Bridge in 1950. He graduated from St. Bernard High School in 1965 where he excelled in athletics, especially football. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at U.S.L. in 1970, and later that year was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from United States Air Force Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
He completed Undergraduate Flying Training in January 1972, and after graduation as “Top Gun” of his class at F-4E Phantom Combat Crew Training School, he was assigned to the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn Royal Air Force Base, Thailand. While in Southeast Asia, he completed more than 120 combat missions, including 10 missions over downtown Hanoi, North Vietnam during the decisive 11-day Linebacker II operation of December 1972. Returning to the United States, he was assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and McGee-Tyson Air Force Base, Tenn., serving as an instructor in the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. Pojo returned to Southeast Asia in May 1975 to participate in the rescue attempt of the USS Mayaguez. He then spent the remainder of his career in the F-4E Phantom at New Orleans Naval Air Station, and the C-130 Hercules at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. and Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
Although selected for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Pojo was forced to retire from military service in March 1991 for medical reasons. His numerous awards and decorations include eight Air Medals earned while flying the F-4E Phantom in Southeast Asia.
For his outstanding and dedicated service to the United States, Pojo was inducted into the Breaux Bridge Military Hall of Fame in July 2006. He was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and served on the board of directors.
In his retirement, Pojo was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite teams from afar.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years to Mary Ann Goll Morvant; his children, Paul “Joey” Joseph Morvant and Tara Ann Morvant, all of Breaux Bridge; his brother, Dane Morvant of Lafayette; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pojo was preceded in death by his parents, Claymar (C.J.) and Genevieve (Genny) Hebert Morvant; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Saul Morvant of Broussard and Mr. and Mrs. George Hebert Sr. of Breaux Bridge; his sister, Mattie M. Watson of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Carolyn M. Rhodes of Newton, Texas; five uncles and four aunts.
Pallbearers will be Vietnam Veterans Sulie Bourque, Nathan Parlsey, Gene Duhon, John Redden, Terry Davis, Charles Norman and Scott Redden.
Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge was in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.