The oldest living Marine Veteran in the United States has passed away.
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106-year-old Roy Drinkard passed away on Monday (August 24). He joined the service and became a Marine during the height of World War II (via WHNT).
Oldest Living Marine Passes Away at 106
After returning home to Alabama from his tour, Drinkard owned and operated a funeral home in Greenville and, after that, moved back home to Cullman, where he owned and operated a Chevrolet car dealership.
Cullman, Alabama has a population of a little more than 20,000. So Drinkard was a prominent member of a fairly tight-knit community. Following his passing, Cullman district Congressman Robert Aderholt paid homage to the late Marine for his years of service. And how being a member of the armed forces shaped the rest of his life.
"Roy was part of a generation of Americans who understood service as a responsibility. As a young man, he served our nation as a United States Marine during World War II, including service in the Pacific, Congressman Aderholt said in a statement. "That commitment to service continued throughout the rest of his life, whether it was through his work in business, his efforts to bring new jobs and opportunities to North Alabama, his support for education, or the many ways he helped people throughout his community."
Late Marine Had Long List of Accomplishments
Throughout his life, Roy racked up a long list of accomplishments. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Alabama's Troy University in 2020. He was recently inducted into Cullman Veteran Hall of Fame after being declared the oldest living Marine.
However, despite Drinkard's decorated list of accolades, Congressman Aderholt says that is not what he'll remember most about the late Marine. He says that his fondest memories of Roy will be who he is as a person.
"His list of accomplishments is long, but those accomplishments are not what I will remember most about Roy," Aderholt said. "I will remember the man himself. Roy was a good man, a man of faith and a good friend. He had a genuine interest in people, and no matter who you were, he had a way of making you feel welcome."
