Article

2018-12-23 -Short Attention Span Theater-

99-year-old pastor receives Green Beret status

PEARLAND, Texas (BP) -- After World War II, decorated Army veteran Jesse Whitley returned home and became a soldier for the Lord, serving as a Baptist pastor and preacher for more than 45 years.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, World War II veteran Jesse Whitley, 99, received his Green Beret from Sgt. Justin Mayrant of the 19th Special Forces based in San Antonio.

"Sgt." Whitley, who celebrated his 99th birthday Dec. 14, received renewed recognition on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, with Green Beret status for his service in a special forces unit nicknamed "the Devil's Brigade."

It came as a surprise to Whitley, who faced combat action with the First Special Service Force against the Japanese in Alaska's Aleutian Islands and against the Germans in Europe.

Whitley joined the U.S. Army on April 25, 1939, at age 19 in Texarkana, Ark., where he grew up. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 31, 1945.

The Veterans Day ceremony was held at First Baptist Church in Pearland, Texas. Whitley lives in the Houston suburb with his daughter, Vicki Cumbie, having moved from Arkansas about a year and a half ago.

FBC Pearland member John Triplett spearheaded the effort to obtain Green Beret status for Whitley, who served in the First Special Service Force (FSSF), forerunner of the current U.S. Army Special Forces, whose elite troops wear the iconic Green Beret.

The FSSF garnered WWII fame for a 99-day period in 1943 when it operated behind enemy lines primarily at night, inspiring a 1966 book and a 1968 film based on the book, both titled "The Devil's Brigade."

Posted by Besoeker 2018-12-23 05:58|| || Front Page|| [11134 views ] Top

#1 I feel better now. Thanks.

It may be just the accident of what I read, but it seems to me that a lot of our WW2 vets live to ripe old ages. They're just plain built tough. The other day I met a 94-year old sailor who was at Normandy, and I'm fairly certain that with the right motivation he could have kicked my ass up and down the stairs.

Posted by Matt 2018-12-23 11:42|| 2018-12-23 11:42|| Front Page Top

#2 my dad's 92 and a WW 2 Navy vet and still kickin"

Posted by 746 2018-12-23 11:59|| 2018-12-23 11:59|| Front Page Top

#3 Not just vets, Matt. My mother will be 93 in February. She recently increased her target lifespan from 120 years to 130. She is still pretty sharp, and definitely more energetic than I.

But to be fair, the less healthy of that generation have already died.

Posted by trailing wife 2018-12-23 12:48|| 2018-12-23 12:48|| Front Page Top

#4 Agreed, tw. The amazing woman who taught me everything I know about my profession died a couple of years ago at age 104. She threw a 100th birthday party for herself, with the explanation that at her age she didn't go to very many class reunions.

And, OT, but thanks for that explanation yesterday about the mods.

Posted by Matt 2018-12-23 13:12|| 2018-12-23 13:12|| Front Page Top

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