Veteran From Newburgh Celebrates 100th Birthday

Happy birthday to a Hudson Valley veteran!

It's not every day you hear some purely joyous news, but today is one of those days. A veteran from the Hudson Valley has celebrated his 100th birthday. Burton H. Roberts is a graduate from Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) and is a native of Newburgh. He turned 100 on March 3, 2021.

According to a press release, Roberts served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was aboard the USS McLanahan as a lieutenant junior grade from 1944 to 1946. Originally, he had wanted to be a pilot in the U.S. Navy, but after an interaction with a friend, he decided to join the Navy as an ensign by going to the Merchant Marine Academy. During his time at the Merchant Marine Academy, Roberts worked as a junior deck officer during active sea duty. After graduating from the academy, he became an ensign.

A press release said:

Burton H. Roberts, a 1938 Newburgh Free Academy graduate and U.S. Navy World War II veteran, is celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime milestone on March 3 - his 100th birthday. Roberts, a native of Newburgh, New York and current resident of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, served in the Navy for two years, from 1944 to 1946, as a lieutenant junior grade deployed aboard USS McLanahan (DD 615), during WWII. Roberts had always admired the Navy and those who served. During the war he told himself that the Navy was where he was supposed to be.

Roberts now lives in Cherry Hill New Jersey. Here's to many more birthdays!