Laton WWII Veteran celebrates his 100th birthday
HANFORD, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – On Feb. 27, 2024, the Kings County Behavioral Health Veteran’s Support Group celebrated the 100th birthday of World War II veteran Frank Bebereia.
Mr. Bebereia was born in Laton, California on Feb. 22, 1924, and grew up in the Central Valley. Bebereia graduated from Lemoore High School before being drafted to serve in the United States Army (Army) from Jan. 1945 through Sep. 1946, according to the County of Kings Administration Office.
During his service, the County of Kings administration says Mr. Bebereia was a member of the 43rd Engineer Construction Battalion, 27th Division. He served in Okinawa, Japan as a Heavy Equipment Operator and quickly moved up the leadership ranks to even being promoted to Sergeant after only seven months of deployment.
Bebereia says he received many awards and recognitions to honor his service during the war, including the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
The Kings County Behavioral Health Veteran’s Support Group says they threw Bebereia a birthday celebration at the Veteran’s Hall following their regularly scheduled meeting. Organizers say more than 40 people participated in the event. In addition to cake and celebration, Bebereia was given nearly 200 birthday cards from the Kings County community to commemorate the special occasion.
“I’m so thankful to be out of my 90’s,” said Bebereia.
Bebereia says he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, and then spent his career working for West Hills College in Lemoore, retiring after 25 years of service, according to the County of Kings. Bebereia officially turned 100 years old on Feb. 22, 2024. He had two brothers and two sisters and has a son, Frank, Jr., and two daughters, Terri Padilla and Bernice Coil.
