One of six remaining WWII vets in Dearborn County
(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) - A special birthday celebration was held for Dearborn County’s oldest living veteran on Tuesday.
World War II veteran George Shelby celebrated his 101st birthday.
Shelby served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 and is proud of his service doing duty on mine sweepers in the South Pacific.
He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal.
Shelby is one of six remaining World War II veterans in Dearborn County. The others are Tom Cook, George Lingg, George Klopp, Clarence Cook and JC Lewis.
Shelby married his wife, Mary, in 1947 and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage until she passed away in 2015. They had two daughters, along with 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
He currently resides at a nursing home in Harrison and several friends, including fellow WWII veteran George Klopp, paid him a visit to celebrate his birthday on Tuesday.
“George is a member of America’s Greatest Generation and at one time there were 16.5 million Veterans of World War II and today the numbers are down to less than 70,000,” said Vietnam veteran PG Gentrup. We are very thankful for these wonderful men and women who served and help save the world. God Bless them.”
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