Few achievements stand out like those of our veterans who have fought devastating battles and seen unimaginable horrors to protect our homeland. One such hero has just turned 100 years old, racking up one more incredible milestone under his belt.
U.S. Marine First Sgt. John Farritor has turned 100 this month, celebrating his incredible life of service and dedication at his retirement community in Vista, California. Farritor fought major battles in both World War II and in the Korean War, including at Iwo Jima, Japan, and Chosin Resevoir in North Korea, which were among the most dangerous and deadly battles of both wars.
At the start of U.S. involvement in World War II, Farritor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 20 and was sent to boot camp in July of 1941. He was one of the first Marines stationed at the major Marine base in the West Coast Camp Pendleton.
Farritor was sent to Japan and fought in many significant Pacific battles, notably Iwo Jima, which is one of the most famously difficult and iconic battles of World War II.
First Sgt. Farritor traveled throughout the Pacific throughout the 1940s, visiting the Philippines; Australia; Tsingtao and Shanghai, China; and Hiroshima, Japan.
In the early 40s, Farritor appeared as an active military cast member in Hollywood military movies such as “Salute to the Marines” and “Sands of Iwo Jima” filmed on military bases.
After World War II, Farritor joined the 11th Marine Regiment and fought more fierce battles in the Korean War. He participated in the surprise sea invasion of Inchon in South Korea and the hugely significant battle of Chosin Reservoir.
After being wounded during the campaign, incurring a shrapnel wound to the hand, Farritor refused to accept a Purple Heart for his trouble. He dislikes being called a hero, stating a truism: “When I hear people calling me a hero, I say I’m not,” he said.
After 20 years of active service and 10 years as a member of the U.S. Marine Reserves, Farritor retired with incredible distinction, later writing of his memoirs in a book called “Through it All, Stories ‘From the Top.’”
In recent years, in addition to his marked centennial, Farritor received a Quilt of Valor from the Quilts of Valor Foundation, which bestows veterans with comfort and healing for their service. Farritor received his quilt of valor in a ceremony at his retirement community, which the former Marine stated he would “keep it with [his] metals.”
First Sgt. Farritor’s incredible life and service show the immense bravery of our veterans, and we congratulate this veteran for his remarkable 100th year on this earth and wish him the best of health for many more years to come.
