HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — To mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we met up with a local WWII veteran who lives in Hollidaysburg. 

We were lucky enough to have Eugene Yaletchko share his story about his time in the U.S. Army.

Yaletchko enlisted at just 17-years-old. He told us he actually lied about his age so he could sign up.

He was a bridge engineer and said he arrived in France about 30 days after the initial D-Day invasion.

Yaletchko proudly served our country from 1941-1945.

“This is the greatest country in the world,” Yaletchko said. “There has never been a greater country than this country. I’d give my life for it any day.”

Yaletchko is 96-years-old. 

He currently lives at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home.