WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday, reflects on anniversary of Pearl Harbor
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee World War II veteran celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday, Dec. 6 and sat down with CBS 58 to reflect on the milestone as well as the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Herbert 'Herbie' Stark said the events at Pearl Harbor were part of what motivated him to enlist in the Marine Corps.
"I don't know if I was going to do anything to really help in any way, but I just figured that was the time to go in and do my part, whatever it was," Stark told CBS 58. "I went down to San Diego at Camp Elliot that was the time they were putting out the six-week wonders, they needed a lot of riflemen, so I came out of it as a private first-class."
Stark would go on to fight in the Pacific theater, battling Axis forces in island-to-island combat. But in one battle, a devastating injury left him without sight.
"The bullet went through my head here cutting the optic nerve of my left eye and smashing out the right eye," Stark said, recounting the moment when he was hit by a shot fired by a Japanese sniper.
But Stark would heal, return home, marry his high school sweetheart and live a full life.
"We just had a good marriage, we were married 50 years had a couple of kids and had a good lifetime," Stark recalled.
Start would also play accordion in a dance band for more than four decades, playing for country clubs, weddings and other events.
This week, he celebrated the century mark surrounded by family.
"It just turned out nice, I mean, the drinks were flowing and lunches were there," Stark said.
He attributes his longevity to good genes, moderation and an active, healthy lifestyle, including still being able to do up to 10 pushups.
"My doctor's given me a good health report there's no doubt I could still kind of go on for a little while yet," Stark said.