A century of service: Wilkerson turns 100

Last Sunday, June 21, Lovell’s Frank Wilkerson celebrated a milestone few Americans ever reach. He turned 100 years old.

One of the bestselling books in American history is “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw. In it, Brokaw tells the stories of the men and women who grew up during the Great Depression and then, while still young, were asked to serve their country during World War II. They endured hardships that are difficult for most of us to imagine. They helped pull America through some of its darkest days, defeated some of the most brutal tyrannies the world has ever known and returned home to build the nation that followed.

Brokaw famously described them as “the greatest generation any society has ever produced.”

Today, that generation is rapidly disappearing. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 16.4 million Americans served during World War II. Only about 25,000 remain alive. Every day, nearly 200 more are lost. Soon, there will be none left to tell their stories firsthand.

That reality is one reason Frank Wilkerson’s 100th birthday matters.

Frank is more than a longtime Lovell resident. He is a living bridge to one of the most important chapters in American history. He represents a generation that answered the call when the world was on fire and then spent the rest of their lives quietly serving their communities.

As Frank reaches the century mark, it is important to preserve some of his memories and give others an opportunity to connect with a man whose experiences stretch back to a time most of us know only from books and documentaries.

When asked what America’s upcoming 250th birthday means to him, Frank’s answer was simple.

“I love America.”

On June 20, 1944, the day before his 18th birthday, Wilkerson enlisted in the United States Navy alongside his twin brother, Fred. He later recalled, “I knew I was going to be drafted, but I volunteered early.”

The two brothers were fortunate to remain together for much of their service.

“Fred and I were really lucky,” Wilkerson recalled. “We joined together and stayed together. When the orders came to split up twins and brothers, we asked them to keep us together, and they did for 21 months.”

Wilkerson spent much of the war aboard the USS Jerauld (APA-174), an amphibious attack transport carrying Marines, tanks, trucks, food and ammunition across the Pacific. As a gunner on a four-barrel 40mm anti-aircraft gun, he found himself in the middle of some of the war’s most dangerous moments.

During the Battle of Okinawa, hundreds of Japanese kamikaze pilots attacked the American fleet.

“I’ll never forget it,” Wilkerson said. “I shot down several, including the first three that came at our ship. You had to get them, or they’d get you.”

For a time, it appeared the war would end only with an invasion of Japan itself. Frank and the men aboard the USS Jerauld were preparing for that operation and likely would have been part of the assault. Many historians believe it would have been one of the bloodiest battles in human history. Fortunately, the war ended before that became necessary.

“The guys were scared of us,” Wilkerson remembered. “They thought we would kill them all. Those two bombs really brought them to their knees.”

After Japan’s surrender, the Jerauld became part of the occupation force, carrying American troops into a nation that had finally laid down its arms.

Looking back today, Frank remembers his military service with gratitude.

“I really enjoyed the time I spent in the service,” he said. Later, he repeated the thought, noting, “It’s just been great. I mean, I’m really pleased with the time I spent there, in the service.”

After returning home, however, his service did not end.

For more than six decades, Wilkerson volunteered with local veterans organizations, participated in Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, carried the American flag and helped provide military honors at funerals for fellow veterans.

“I don’t ever remember refusing a time,” he said. “If I was in town, I helped ‘em.”

When asked the secret to reaching 100 years old, Frank offered a practical answer.

“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, either one of those, and I think that’s prolonged my life.”

He admitted that he never really expected to reach the century mark.

“Well, no, not really,” he said, “but I hoped that I would.”

Perhaps most surprising was his reaction when asked what changes over the last hundred years had amazed him the most. After living through the Great Depression, World War II and the advent of television, jet travel, computers, the internet and smartphones, his answer was simply:

“Nothing really.”

And what advice would a member of the Greatest Generation offer young Americans today?

“Just live it all. Love it.”

When asked what he was most proud of in his long life, his answer wasn’t about war, medals or accomplishments.

“I appreciate what I got to do to help my mother,” he said. “Every time I helped her do something, it just made me feel good.”

Perhaps that simple statement says as much about Frank Wilkerson as anything else. Like so many of his generation, he served when his country called, cared for his family, and continued serving long after the war was over.

As our conversation ended, I asked Frank what it felt like to turn 100.

“I’m surprised how fast it showed up,” he said.

A hundred years, he explained, had passed in what seemed like no time at all.

“Just blink of an eye and it was here.”

Now, at 100 years old, Frank Wilkerson remains one of the last living connections to a generation whose sacrifices shaped the modern world. Their numbers grow smaller every day, making their stories all the more valuable. Preserving those stories may be one of the best ways we can honor them.