TOLEDO — More than 16 million people from the U.S. fought in World War II, and 80 years after the war ended a World War II navy veteran who turned 100 years old in the Buckeye State is celebrating his birthday.
On Sunday, World War II veteran Victor Gressler turned 100 years old in Maumee, about 10 miles outside of Toledo. Gressler’s birthday is October 19th.
“This is 70 years ago. I joined the navy when I was 17-years-old,” said Victor Gressler, the 100-year-old WWII veteran.
Gressler joined the U.S. Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During the time he served, he was almost killed twice. During his service, he went to Hawaii, Guam and New Guinea.
A couple of weeks before the torpedo dropped, Gressler was sick with yellow fever and in the sick bay. He was sent home to recover before the torpedo dropped, and it killed everyone in the sick bay. The second time Gressler was almost killed, he was doing some work where the ammunition was stored, and it blew up. Decades later, he is celebrating a milestone birthday.
“I’ve always considered him a, you know, like a World War II Navy veteran hero because he went and fought for his country and quit high school to go fight for his country,” said Barbara Kurtz, Gressler‘s stepdaughter. “So, I think he’s fabulous, and he deserves to have a party for his birthday.”
Kurtz helped celebrate the vet, but Gressler is not only a vet; he’s a musician too.
He’s been singing and playing the guitar for more than 80 years, and he still plays. The songs are all in his head, and he plays music from country legends like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Jim Reeves.
“We saw that sign on the window. It said, ‘Come on in and show your talent,’” said Gressler. “So, I said, ‘Whoa, what the heck? I think I’ll try it.’”
That was 85 years ago, and Gressler won a guitar that day. A year ago, he joined the Elizabeth Scott Community, a senior living community. Now his audience is the residents within the community he calls home. When asked about how he made it to this birthday, he says do what makes you happy.
“I like my music and I like my friend, you know, mostly with my music because I like to sing,” said Gressler.
In his free time, Gressler played guitar and mandolin with The Maumee Valley Boys. His band performed at local dances and gatherings.
He came back to Ohio after the war, married his high school sweetheart and worked for a trucking company for more than 30 years. Since being at the senior living community, Gressler continues to play the guitar and sing. He also enjoys bingo, cards and dice.
Kurtz said they will keep having birthday parties every year that Gressler is here.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 45,000 World War II veterans still alive today.
Rose Todd
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