Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Retired Staff Sgt. Elbert Scott places his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem at a medal presentation ceremony in his honor, July 21, 2014, in Goldsboro, N.C. Scott was presented six medals for his service during World War II and the Korean War. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)140721-F-JH807-093
                        
                        
                        Retired Staff Sgt. Elbert Scott places his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem at a medal presentation ceremony in his honor, July 21, 2014, in Goldsboro, N.C. Scott was presented six medals for his service during World War II and the Korean War. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Retired Staff Sgt. Elbert Scott places his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem at a medal presentation ceremony in his honor, July 21, 2014, in Goldsboro, N.A. Scott was presented six medals for his service during World War II and the Korean War. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)140721-F-JH807-020
                        
                        
                        Retired Staff Sgt. Elbert Scott places his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem at a medal presentation ceremony in his honor, July 21, 2014, in Goldsboro, N.A. Scott was presented six medals for his service during World War II and the Korean War. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Col. Andrew Bernard pins a medal to retired Staff. Sgt. Elbert Scott during a medal presentation ceremony, July 21, 2014, in Goldsboro, N.C. Scott served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force from 1945-1966. Bernard is the 4th Fighter Wing vice commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)140721-F-JH807-069
                        
                        
                        Col. Andrew Bernard pins a medal to retired Staff. Sgt. Elbert Scott during a medal presentation ceremony, July 21, 2014, in Goldsboro, N.C. Scott served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force from 1945-1966. Bernard is the 4th Fighter Wing vice commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Retired Staff Sgt. Elbert Scott hugs a fellow veteran after a medal presentation ceremony in his honor, July 21, 2014, in downtown Goldsboro, N.C. Scott served at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base with the 4th Supply Squadron until his honorable discharge in 1962. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)140721-F-JH807-133
                        
                        
                        Retired Staff Sgt. Elbert Scott hugs a fellow veteran after a medal presentation ceremony in his honor, July 21, 2014, in downtown Goldsboro, N.C. Scott served at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base with the 4th Supply Squadron until his honorable discharge in 1962. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Three-war veteran recognized, honored nearly 60 years after servicePublished July 23, 2014
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
                    
                    
                    4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
            **SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) --***"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." - Leo Tolstoy*
Retired Staff Sgt. Elbert Scott knows about patience and time. He also knows what it takes to be a warrior.
Having fought in World War II as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Scott has outlasted Tolstoy's two biggest warriors.
Now, at the age of 90, nearly 60 years after he last fought as a military warrior, Scott was recognized for his contributions during a more than 20 years career.
Representatives from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the North Carolina National Guard, the Wayne County Veterans and Patriots Coalition and the Office of U.S. Senator Kay Hagan joined forces to present six medals to the retired Air Force veteran, July 21, at the Wayne County Veterans Memorial in downtown Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Scott was presented with the Occupation of Japan Award, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one Silver Star, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Medal.
"I was elated and a little bit surprised because I never thought I would live long enough to receive these medals," Scott said. "I just feel honored to have served this great country."
Following the lead of his four brothers before him, Scott joined the U.S. Army in 1945, and first served with the occupation force in Japan. He was later deployed to South Korea, where he served as a firefighter protecting the supplies, equipment and ammunition attached to the 3rd and 7th Divisions and also the 69th Ordnance Company. 
Scott then transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1958 where he proudly served with the 4th Supply Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB. Following 17 years of dedicated service, Scott received an honorable discharge in 1962. 
However, Scott's service didn't end there. 
Upon subsequent reenlistment, Scott went back to Japan where he was first stationed. He followed that with a tour of duty in Vietnam before retiring in 1966, capping off a 21-year career of combined military service. 
"Mr. Scott is more than deserving of the recognition he received today," said Col. Andrew Bernard, the 4th Fighter Wing vice commander. "After serving for 21 years, during three wars, he's waited almost 60 years and now wears the symbols of his courageous achievements "His perseverance and dedication to service is a lesson learned for everyone here and for all those serving in the armed forces today."
Even though it took years to receive his medals, Scott expressed his belief that they were only a small part of his reward.
"While I'm honored to have received them, the medals weren't important to me," Scott said. "What was important was that I was able to serve and defend the greatest country in the world; the country that I love."Air Force family 



Vietnam 



World War II 



veteran Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil