HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – In 1944, during World War II, a 17-year-old Cambridge, Massachusetts native began her federal career as a clerk-typist to support the war effort.
More than 80 years later, Maria Bandouveres continues to put service above self while working every day at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
“Throughout her career she has worn many hats, that as a leader and a mentor to many,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Genatempo, program executive officer for Cyber and Networks. “Her most important role has been a guardian of our ideals through time. With every decision made and mission undertaken, she has embodied the core values of our Air Force.”
Officials held a ceremony Aug. 21 to celebrate her 80-year milestone as a federal employee.
Representatives from U.S. Senator Edward Markey and U.S. Representative Katherine Clark were on hand to present letters of recognition.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey sent a citation and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter of recognition that were presented by Genatempo.
Born to Greek immigrants who arrived in the United States in 1914, Bandouveres was hired by the government only after her father signed a letter of permission.
Her journey began just after her high school graduation on June 6, 1944 – D-Day.
Encouraged by high school teachers to take the Civil Service Exam, Bandouveres soon began working at the South Boston Army Station, filing purchase orders as a Clerical-Administrative-Fiscal-1, or CAF-1, today's equivalent of the general schedule pay scale.
During an interview with 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs in 2015, Bandouveres discussed how the war effort then shaped the workforce.
“A lot of the girls were encouraged to take the test because many of the boys were going off to war,” she said. “I did well on the test and started working for the Army.”
After Germany's surrender in 1945, Bandouveres transferred to the Navy Supply Corps School at Harvard University, where she manually typed travel checks for Sailors.
When Japan surrendered three months later, her role diminished, and she, along with others, were let go in August 1946.
However, soon after, she was rehired by the Army Air Corps, working at the Cambridge Field Station on Albany Street, typing job descriptions in the Position Classification Office.
“Maria’s career has predated and then spanned the entire history of our United States Air Force and her contributions have left an indelible mark on our mission, our people, and our legacy,” said Genatempo, highlighting the U.S. Air Force became a separate service on Sept. 18, 1947.
By the early 1950s, Bandouveres started to work at Laurence G. Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., now Hanscom Air Force Base.
She found stability in 1961 when she accepted a role within the former Electronic Systems Division (later Electronic Systems Center).
“I have been so lucky to have worked for so many terrific [ESD/ESC] commanders,” Bandouveres said in 2015, adding that each new commander brought a fresh challenge that kept her engaged. “Every time that happens, it’s like starting a new job.”
Throughout her career, Bandouveres has worked for several prominent military leaders, including Maj. Gen. John O'Neill, Maj. Gen. Albert Shelley, Lt. Gen. Wilbur Creech, and Lt. Gen. Bill Looney, among others.
Bandouveres’ long-standing service has been recognized throughout her career by the highest levels of the U.S. Air Force. She was coined by Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh in 2013 and Gen. David Goldfein in 2017, as well as by Air Force Materiel Command leaders Gen. Arnold Bunch in 2022 and Gen. Duke Z. Richardson in 2023.
Bandouveres also received her 70-year pin from former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and her 50-year pin from Gen. Ronald W. Yates, the first commander of Air Force Materiel Command.
“I want to thank everybody for being here,” she said. “I have met some of the best people during my time here. They have been the best people I have ever worked with in every position I have had. I don’t know how to thank you for being here with me.”