Napoleon Gilmore marked his 102nd birthday Friday, September 2, with a celebration at the Richard A. Anderson Texas State Veterans Home in Houston, surrounded by those honoring his remarkable life and military service.

Gilmore served in the U.S. Army during World War II after entering active duty in 1943. His work as a telephone and telegraph lineman took him overseas to both the European and Asiatic-Pacific theaters, where he supported military operations during campaigns in Rhineland and Central Europe.

During nearly three years in uniform, Gilmore rose to the rank of Technician Fourth Grade and earned numerous decorations, including campaign medals for service in Europe and the Pacific, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.