World War II Navy vet from Jacksonville becomes centenarian on 4th of July

A World War II veteran and current Jacksonville resident celebrated his 100th birthday on Fourth of July Thursday.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5968 in Orange Park hosted a special celebration for Fred A. Long Jr., a 30-year highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy, according to Times-Union news partner First Coast News.

Long enlisted in the Navy in 1943 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville as a seaman second class. After completing a 16-week Class "B" School in Chicago, Long qualified on every aircraft built by the Navy, according the VFW.

In addition to NAS Jacksonville, Long served at NAS Cecil Field, NAS Daytona Beach, Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35) out of Sanford and outside Florida at Camp Elliot Training Center San Diego, NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, NAS Columbus, Ohio, Quonset Point, R.I., and Argentia, Newfoundland.

Long earned many medals including the World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Medal (European Clasp), China Service Medal, UN Service Medal, National Defense Korean Service Medal, Antarctic Service-Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star and nine Good Conduct medals, according to the VFW.

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He earned the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for "Outstanding heroism in action against the enemy or extremely meritorious service (non-combat) in support of military operations."

Long retired from the Navy in January 1973 and obtained the highest rate available to a noncommissioned officer, E-9 master chief. He has been a VFW Life Member of Post 5968 in Orange Park since December 1993.