A 100-year-old U.S. Marine veteran who fought in World War II broke down in sobs when discussing the current state of the country in a recent interview.
Last week, Fox 13 Tampa Bay interviewed Marine veteran Carl Dekle on his 100th birthday on June 29. Dekle began the interview by describing how his usual optimistic outlook has changed over the years.
Dekle said he used to describe every day as a beautiful one and said “If I went into church and didn’t say everything was beautiful they’d think I was sick.”
Dekle, who fought in the World War II battle of Guadalcanal and earned the Silver Star, went on to describe how his views have worsened as he felt people in America have lost appreciation for the things they have.
“People don’t realize what they have. They bitch about it,” he said.
“Nowadays I am so upset that the things we did and the things we fought for and the boys that died for it, it’s all going down the drain,” Dekle continued. “Our country’s going to hell in a handbasket. We haven’t got the country we had when I was raised, not at all. Nobody will have the fun I had, nobody will have the opportunity I had. It’s just not the same.”
Dekle earned his Silver Star for actions in the battle of Cape Gloucester. Dekle’s Silver Star citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Carl S. Dekle (MCSN: 296090), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Section Chief of a 75-mm. Gun Half-track of Weapons Company, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 6 January 1944. During a coordinated attack against a strong enemy road block, Sergeant Dekle conducted his half-track across a sandpit in the face of intense hostile fire and, keeping his vehicle abreast of the assault troops, directed his crew in delivering accurate fire at point-blank range. Repeatedly braving sniper, antitank and heavy machine-gun fire throughout the engagement, he inspired his unit to exert maximum effort in assisting to capture and destroy the enemy position. By his personal courage, bold leadership and staunch devotion to duty, Sergeant Dekle upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
