World War II veterans celebrate 100th birthdays, Sagamore of the Wabash awards

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — James "Red" Winget and Bill Crane had never met one another before a recent gathering at the 40 & 8 Chateau in Lafayette, but the pair had quite a bit in common.

Both men were born and raised in Indiana. Both felt compelled to enlist at 17 to fight in World War II.

And both men were celebrating their 100th birthday less than 30 days apart from one another.

But what brought them together was a combination of all those things, as they were presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash award, the highest honor for a civilian in the state of Indiana.

Recalling stories of friends and comrades who served alongside them but never came home, Winget and Crane agree it was a marvel they'd both lived to see 100. But the men couldn't have been more humble to receive the honor.

"I like it, but I don't believe it," Crane said. "I've never had anything like this in all my life."

Called to serve in World War II

Born in Pine Village, Crane said his family moved to East Chicago when he was a baby. By the time he turned 17, Crane knew he wanted to serve in the war. So did Winget, who hailed from Frankfort.

Crane, a signalman, and Winget, a member of the Underwater Demolition Team 6 commonly referred to as a "frogman," both opted to enlist in the Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor rather than wait to be drafted.

In what is known today as the Navy SEALS, Winget said his job as a frogman required him to swim several miles at a time, recalling how he could hold his breath for over two and a half minutes at a time, all while tethered to explosives the team was responsible for transporting to targeted islands. But Winget said he loved to swim.

At that time, being assigned to the Underwater Demolition Team was "a suicide mission," Winget said. But his team received the nickname of "the lucky 6," being the only Underwater Demolition Team throughout the war that didn't lose any servicemen.

2023: Gov. Holcomb honors West Lafayette mayor with Sagamore of the Wabash Award

As a signalman, Crane's job looked a bit different in the Navy, setting up beach communication stations between ships and the shore by using lights, Morse code and a telescope.

But despite the risks, neither man said he gave the choice to enlist a second thought.

"I was out there in the water because I wanted to keep this country together and protect America," Winget said. "I was only 17 years old, but as soon as I could get out there, I wanted to go. But after what Japan did to Pearl Harbor, everybody went."

Honoring their heroes

Among the many other veterans and local officials who gathered to celebrate Winget and Crane's milestone birthdays paired with the high honor of the Sagamore of the Wabash award, the proudest to stand beside the veterans were their many family members.

Linda Bell, Winget's daughter, said although she has been proud of her dad's heroic efforts throughout her life, seeing the amount of people eager to honor Winget brought tears to her eyes.

"He's my dad, and I love him, and I see the things that he's done and how much help he's been to people all throughout his life, but the amount of people here is pretty overwhelming," Bell said.

Hearing Winget retell his story of when he made the choice to enlist in WWII was one Bell said she'd heard many times throughout her life. But the selflessness behind his choice to enlist was one she'd seen reflected throughout his entire life.

Bell could recall several instances throughout of witnessing Winget offer running water to neighbors in need, help with car maintenance for friends and family or buying shoes for neighborhood kids running in the streets without. Often, even when Bell said Winget knew his voluntary assistance would be thankless, he would explain to his daughter that wasn't the point.

"'What kind of man would I be if I didn't help someone in need?' is what he would always say to us ... and that's what we're all here for today," Bell said. "I think that's part of what's missing in America today, that we forget that we're all here to help each other."

Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal and Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: World War II veterans celebrate 100th birthdays, Sagamore of the Wabash awards