FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The oldest living veteran of the 10th Mountain Division was recognized by the Newport American Legion during a ceremony Sunday at the Newport Opera House in New Hampshire.
Jesse Walter Scott was recognized for his duty as a fish and game conservation officer, his military service during World War II and his active role in the Newport American Legion.
Born in 1907, Scott went into the field of conservation in 1931, beginning a long employment as a deputy conservation officer for the state of New Hampshire.
In 1943, he enlisted in the Army at age 36. He would go on to serve with the ski troops of K Company, 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. Scott trained at Camp Hale, Colo., and deployed to Italy during World War II.
Once he arrived in Naples, Scott, who was a private second class, served his unit as a mailman, getting the "letters from home" to the troops.
After the war was over, Scott returned to his work as a conservation officer for the fish and game department in the Newport area. He was promoted to district chief for District 3 in 1962 and retired in 1972.
During his lifetime, he also served as a state representative from Newport, a deputy sheriff for Sullivan County, a court bailiff and a New Hampshire crime commissioner.
As the ceremony began, Scott walked in and was greeted by 12 Legionnaires from the Brewster, Gould, Lee, Rollins Post 25 American Legion of Newport, N.H., and more than 150 people who came to pay tribute.
Among those in attendance were many high-ranking officials, including New Hampshire State Senator Robert Odell; Beverly Rodeschin, New Hampshire state representative and Town of Newport selectperson; Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Prozzo; and Brewster Bartlett, president of the New England Chapter of the 10th Mountain Division Association.
"This is a special day for recognizing someone that has become an icon of our city," said Edward Rochford, commander of American Legion Post 25. "Every kid in Newport knew Jesse Scott while I was growing up, for his work as a conservation officer.
"It's unusual for the Newport American Legion to honor an individual in such a way, but it's also rare for a member to live to be 104," Rochford added.
Throughout the ceremony, Scott was presented an assortment of plaques, and letters written by officials such as U.S. Representative Charles Bass; Sgt. Brian Suttmier, conservation officer of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department; and New Hampshire Department American Legion Commander Robert Blais.
"In recognition for his service and hard work for his state, country and the Newport area on this April 22, 2012, I proclaim this Jesse W. Scott Day," said Paul Brown, Newport town manager.
As the event came to a close, Scott's daughters, Maxine Houle and Molly O'Brien, took the podium to thank everyone who made the day possible.
Houle explained that while doing research for the ceremony, she had learned that not only is her father the oldest member of the 10th Mountain Division, but he's also the oldest Freemason in New Hampshire.
"We will have to do this again next year," said Scott, before departing the event.
Social Sharing