NORTH CAROLINA -- One North Carolina veteran has an unusual life story to tell. He served firsthand in not one, not two, but three major wars.

  • Veteran John Greene served in three wars and was first drafted in 1942
  • Greene worked as a skilled airplane mechanic and pilot
  • He retired when he received orders for a second assignment in Vietnam

John Greene served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The 98-year-old, who served nearly three decades, was originally drafted into the Army in 1942. Days later, he joined the Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Force.

While in the military, he became a skilled airplane mechanic, working on P-47 fighter planes in World War II. And in Korea, they had advanced to the C-47.

However, in Saigon, he flew with his aircraft tasked with picking up causalities.

Greene said he saw a lot of dead bodies over the years.

 “[You are] afraid you going to get bombed or shot at…it’s no good feeling,” said Greene.

It was no easy task for Greene’s wife either.

“[While he was away] you count the days…and you don’t listen to the news,” said Greene's wife. 

After three wars, Greene and his wife were emotionally drained. When he got orders for a second assignment in Vietnam, Greene retired.

 “I don’t know if either one of us could have coped emotionally with another tour,” said Greene’s wife.

At 98 years old, sometimes Green's memories of what he saw during WWII, then Korea and followed by what he witnessed in Vietnam, intermingle. But he remembers what he learned.

 “Take care of yourself, take care of your country. Take care of what you believe in,” said Greene. 

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