thedrifter
01-23-07, 10:44 AM
Oldest former Marine dies at 107
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 23, 2007 11:23:46 EST
SMITH CENTER, Kan. — Albert F. “Jud” Wagner, who served with the Marines in World War I, has died at the age of 107.
Wagner died Saturday at Smith County Long Term Care, said his son J.S. Wagner, who is 84 and also a former Marine.
The elder Wagner was honored along with his family in November 2006 at a Veterans Day ceremony at the Statehouse.
At that time, according to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ office and the Commission on Veterans Affairs, he was the only known World War I veteran living in Kansas and the oldest former Marine in the nation.
He had also been honored in October 2006 when a 30-mile section of U.S. 36 through Smith County was designated as World War I Veterans Highway.
J.S. Wagner recalled his father as a strong man who liked farming and raising livestock in Smith County and talking to his four children about serving his country in France and Germany. He enlisted at age 17 and served in the Marines in 1918 and 1919.
The war stories were “the reason I became a Marine. They take care of one another. They’re a proud outfit,” said J.S. Wagner, who fought in World War II and Korea. His younger brother, Robert Wagner, of Phoenix, was a Marine in mid- to late 1950s.
A Marine detachment from Wichita will provide a military graveside service for Jud Wagner following his funeral at Wednesday.
RIP
Ellie
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 23, 2007 11:23:46 EST
SMITH CENTER, Kan. — Albert F. “Jud” Wagner, who served with the Marines in World War I, has died at the age of 107.
Wagner died Saturday at Smith County Long Term Care, said his son J.S. Wagner, who is 84 and also a former Marine.
The elder Wagner was honored along with his family in November 2006 at a Veterans Day ceremony at the Statehouse.
At that time, according to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ office and the Commission on Veterans Affairs, he was the only known World War I veteran living in Kansas and the oldest former Marine in the nation.
He had also been honored in October 2006 when a 30-mile section of U.S. 36 through Smith County was designated as World War I Veterans Highway.
J.S. Wagner recalled his father as a strong man who liked farming and raising livestock in Smith County and talking to his four children about serving his country in France and Germany. He enlisted at age 17 and served in the Marines in 1918 and 1919.
The war stories were “the reason I became a Marine. They take care of one another. They’re a proud outfit,” said J.S. Wagner, who fought in World War II and Korea. His younger brother, Robert Wagner, of Phoenix, was a Marine in mid- to late 1950s.
A Marine detachment from Wichita will provide a military graveside service for Jud Wagner following his funeral at Wednesday.
RIP
Ellie