Newest, Oldest Marine Sergeant

Legendary Marine Raider finally promoted to sergeant at 100

One of the original Marine Raiders, Frank S. Wright and was bayoneted in the stomach and shot in the chest during combat across the Pacific in World War II, including at Iwo Jima.
Jeff Schogol

Frank S. Wright recently got what he described as a “big promotion.” When a reporter called to talk about it, he answered the phone with “Frank Wright, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps.”

Now 100 and more than 80 years after service in fierce combat as a corporal in World War II, Wright was a sergeant.

“I spent two-and-a-half years in the South Pacific and went through Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Guam, and Iwo Jima,” Wright told Task & Purpose this week. “And I was wounded twice. I have two Purple Hearts. That’s one of the reasons that they thought that I would be eligible for this, and I’ve had a lot of congratulatory letters and other things that have been given to me.”

The story of Wright’s service during World War II is epic. One of the original Marine Raiders, he survived being bayoneted in the stomach on Guam and was later shot in the chest and arm at Iwo Jima.

Still, for the past 80 years, Wright has wanted to complete one more milestone in his military career: being promoted to sergeant.

Last month, Wright got his wish when he became the “newest and oldest Sergeant of Marines,” at 100, according to an Aug. 31 post in a ceremony at Camp Pendleton, California.

Task&Purpose

Amazing story- Semper Fi Sergeant Wright.

Category: Bravo Zulu, Marine Corps