(Harold Schoepflin seated. Picture provided courtesy of Erin Freel)
Retired Marine Master Sergeant and World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veteran Harold Schoepflin recently turned 100. His birthday celebration was held on July 25th, 2026 in Rock Hill.
Organized by the Marine Corps League detachment in Rock Hill, otherwise known as the Olde English Leathernecks detachment, Schoepflin was joined by friends, family and fellow Marines on his big day.
“He’s actually one of our oldest Marine Corps League members,” said Stephen Sprague, retired Marine Corps First Sergeant and current commandant of the Olde English Leathernecks. “We had heard that his birthday was coming up, and we were told about the celebration, and we just couldn’t not be here.”
Harold Schoepflin was born on July 25, 1926, in North College Hill, Ohio. In the 100 years since his birth, America has changed drastically. “We didn’t have a lot of money then,” he recalled. “I was born and raised in the Depression, and people looking for food couldn’t get any food, (some) starved to death. I was lucky.”
Focusing on his service in World War II, he fought with the United States Naval Construction Battalions, or Seabees, and was stationed around the Mariana Islands.
“I was in a unique outfit,” he joked.
Reflecting on his service in World War II, if there is one thing he’s most proud of, it’s his late brother Bob. Robert “Bob” Schoepflin, Private First Class Marine, fought alongside Harold but was tragically killed in action during a bombing in Guam, he explained.
“Most of his company was wiped out, and I was in another wave, but I knew he was on the island. He was in the Third Marine Division, E Company. Harold was only about a mile from his brother at the time of his death.
During the battle, Harold asked his commander to see his brother, only to learn the devastating news. “I went crazy,” says Harold.
Following the war, Harold married Ruth in 1946 and the couple had four children together.
(Picture courtesy of the Schoepflin family)
Harold’s eldest daughter, Deborah Lewis, provided some insight on life in a military family, “When you’re raised in the military, you really do feel a lot of pride in your country and proud of the people who have served your country.”
The Schoepflin family was always very close, due in part to them having to routinely move for the Marines, “You can appreciate as you get older how much effort it took for my mother and father to make a new home somewhere else, get us back in school, whatever we’re doing,” said Deborah.
“My dad has always been a very caring and understanding man,” added Harold Edward Schoepflin, Harold’s son and a retired Marine in his own right. “He’s always been one of those guys that said, ‘What are we going to do tomorrow?’ He never looked back at any of the war. He always looked forward.”
Inspired by his father, the younger Harold joined the Marine Corps and served until 1997. His dad’s structured life planted the seeds for that decision, calling his father a “unique man” who did “a lot for the country.”
Judge David Guyton, a family court judge in Rock Hill and member of the Olde English Leathernecks, gave a speech at the event to honor Harold and his many feats.
“To think that he’s in World War II, Korea, and several tours in Vietnam is just absolutely phenomenal. To think what he’s seen 100 years into our 250-year anniversary, it’s amazing, and we want to honor fellow Marines anytime we can,” Guyton said.
“A lot of times we might be involved in doing honor guards for somebody’s funeral, but this is a chance to honor somebody while they know it and we can show it to them.”
At the end of the day, Harold Schoepflin wants the next generation to remember one thing: “Young people should love America, and should keep America first at all times!”
Great advice from a man who fought in multiple wars defending the freedom we enjoy today.
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