Family, friends honor Army veteran

SANDPOINT — It’s a minor miracle that Bob Perry reached his 92nd birthday in one piece.

Over a 20-year career in the military, he served in three wars, was wounded multiple times and had even more close calls. In his second career with the Bureau of Land Management, he also survived cancer. Now a Sandpoint resident living at Luther Park Retirement Home, he celebrated his birthday with his family and fellow residents Wednesday, well aware of the narrow escapes along the way.

“I’ll tell you this much: I’ve bled in more countries than most people go to,” he said.

That’s undeniably true. An Army veteran, Perry saw combat in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He received several wounds, including a bayonet stab and a broken jaw from a rifle butt, during World War II action in Northern Africa and Europe, while he suffered another wound in Vietnam. Thankfully, he managed to escape harm in Korea.

“I’ve looked the devil in the eyes a few times,” he said, later adding, “God’s been good to me.”

Over the course of his service, Perry has accumulated a staggering number of medals for honorable service and feats of valor, including destroying two machine gun nests and taking down four airplanes.

The medals, which were on display in the Luther Park dining room, are housed in an elegant case against a velvety backdrop. While the display is the largest the Army produces, real estate is still at a premium.

Perry’s distinguished military service has earned him a Silver Star, Gunner’s Wings, Jump Wings, three Bronze Stars, six Air Medals, four Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, a Combat Infantryman Badge and an Expert Marksmanship Badge recognizing skill with the carbine, pistol and rifle. He also has several medals recognizing his participation in various conflicts, including the Korean War and the American campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern campaign, victory and army occupation of World War II.

In addition to his service in war, Perry served the military in a variety of roles, including a criminal investigator and security officer. He also participated in the Army pistol marksmanship team in large-scale competitions.

Perry is a relatively new Sandpoint resident, having arrived at Luther Park in July. Since then, he’s settled in nicely, entertaining staff and fellow residents alike with his love of cartooning. A skilled artist, he references the Luther Park staff, residents and inside jokes with cartoons drawn in ink, sometimes producing several in one day. He’s also a regular wiz at crossword puzzles.

“I’m just spending my time taking it easy these days,” he said. “Luther Park is a pretty deluxe place to be.”