‘I’m not worthy, but I’ll take it!’: Prineville Marine, WWII and Korean War veteran honored on his 102nd birthday
Jack Becker, survivor of Battle of Chosin Reservoir, receives special Certificate of Appreciation
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Prineville Marine Jack Becker’s family and friends – and some special invited guests -- weren’t about to let a little ice or snow keep them from getting together Saturday to honor and celebrate the World War II and Korean War veteran’s 102nd birthday.
A bagpiper played The Marine Hymn and a color guard presented the flags in traditional, formal fashion as son-law Ronald Voakes rolled Becker's wheelchair in for the event.
“Thank you very much,” he told them all. “It’s an honor. I’m not worthy, but I’ll take it!”
Three years ago, when Becker turned 99, he watched a hon-honking drive-by parade of fellow veterans, calling the rolling salute “unbelievable” and “wonderful. … I didn’t think I’m worth it, but everybody thinks so.”
The next year, on his big 100th, Becker danced with his granddaughter at a surprise birthday party.
And on Saturday, shortly before the gathering, Becker’s daughter, Nancy, took some video as he bopped a bit (with his walker) to the Bee Gees’ “Night Fever.”
Army First Sergeant Dan Swearingen presented and read aloud a framed Certificate of Appreciation to "First Sergeant Jack Becker," “for your outstanding contribution and service” to the Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean conflict, “and for bravery and heroism at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir,” signed by retired Marine Captain Maureen Dooley, adding, "Semper Fidelis, Jack!" -- the Marine Corps motto, "Always Faithful."
As the bagpiper finished playing a second rendition of The Marine Hymn (“From the Halls of Montezuma"), Becker couldn’t help but sing along:
"First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title of
United States Marine"
And moments later, he told those on hand: “I’ll be a son of a bitch – I can’t believe all this.”
The area's recent icy, cold weather of late was fitting, in a way, as Becker is one of the few living survivors of the Korean War's Battle of Chosin Reservoir, so brutally cold (some estimates as low as -36 degrees) that those who held on and lived through it became known as the "frozen Chosin," or "The Chosin Few." Some 2,500 Americans died and 5,000 were wounded, while 8,000 suffered frostbite.
Kris Voakes said he and his twin brother, Miles, have been planning the special birthday honors in recent years.
He said their grandpa -- a father of three, with 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren -- now lives with his daughter, and that "Jack has really good health."
"He loves to make fruitcake, does everything on his own," he said. "Everyone looks up to him."
