Dale Cooksey (28th Division, 110th Inf Rgt, Co A) turned 100 on December 3rd and the local police and fire department helped him celebrate! He is a proud American – he raises his American flag on his flagpole every morning and retires it in the evening – rain or shine.

Dale was born in Trenton, MO in 1920 and lived in the midwest all his life. His first job (at age 16) was to sell shoes and he became store manager at age 18. He was drafted into the US Army at the age of 23. He trained at Camp Roberts, CA. When he left for Europe on the Queen Mary, he left behind his young bride who was carrying their first child. Dale recalls his experiences as well as some of the places he fought in – St. Vith, Clervaux, Wiltz and Cologne.

He was lucky to return home in January 1946 without injuries and he met his daughter for the first time. He worked in Chicago as a manufacturing representative selling brushes (for artists, hair stylists and painters) and eventually became a sales manager at a Sherwin Williams store for over 20 years.

After retiring, he worked as a volunteer at a Thrift Shop. He loves to tinker with clocks and he can fix anything that is broken. He has always been a generous man who believes in working hard and living honestly. He lives close to family and still manages his household – including doing his own housecleaning, laundry and even mowing his lawn!

He’s never met a stranger – he loves people. He was married to his sweetheart for 74 years and has 3 daughters, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren who adore him. I’m one of them – his grandson – who is extremely proud of him. He taught me more than he’ll ever know. 

Submitted by BOBA member Jason Ryan, grandson of Dale Cooksey

See Dale’s “surprise” by his local police and fire departments:  https://fox4kc.com/video/veteran-surprised-for-100th-birthday/6087077/

Photos: Dale Cooksey, Dec 2020 (above) and Dale and his buddy Ken Burke, 1945 (below).