98-year-old World War II veteran sends RNC crowd into ecstasy when he says he would re-enlist today if Trump were president

July 18, 2024

A 98-year-old World War II veteran took the stage at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday and said that if Donald Trump were president, he would go back and re-enlist in the U.S. military.

William Pekrul, a father of 11 children and a “proud” war veteran, said he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive on the Western Front in World War II between 1944 and 1945.

In his brief speech, the Milwaukee veteran said that if Trump were again commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army and Navy – a title that the U.S. president automatically holds – he would “go back and recommit today.”

Pekrul’s statement sparked thunderous applause, cheers and whistles from the crowd.

“I would storm any beach where my country asked me to,” he added.

While serving in World War II, Pekrul said he “witnessed the horrors of the Nazi war camps,” and after Hitler was dead and the Nazis defeated, “not many of us came home. I still miss many of my friends on that beach.”

Sergeant William Pekrul speaks during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, July 17 (AP)

The veteran interrupted his speech to reward the RNC crowd with chants of “USA!” (Getty Images)

“There aren’t many of us left today, but for those of us who are here, America is still worth fighting for,” he continued.

“It pains my heart to see what our current president and vice president have done to the country I love so much.” He added that they had been “humiliated” in Afghanistan, “pushed around” in China and “given free rein to terrorists in the Middle East.”

He added that the government had also “allowed our own southern border to be overrun,” which was met with applause.

“If anyone wants to attack me or my home, bury yourself in the ground and never look back. It was with this attitude that the free world was saved.”

The Wisconsin man received thunderous applause from the RNC audience throughout his speech, pausing at one point to allow the crowd to chant “USA” and clench their fists to celebrate his patriotic feelings for the country.

William Pekrel, 98, fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II (AP)

Pekrul had enlisted in the U.S. Army at Boys Tech High School and was assigned to the 29th and 75th Infantry Regiments. During his service, he spent 42 days in combat in Normandy in 1944, the longest he ever served, the veteran said in a 2020 interview with the War Memorial Center.

On Wednesday, Trump’s new running mate JD Vance also ended the third evening of the RNC with his first speech as the Republican vice presidential candidate.

Vance attacked President Joe Biden, declaring: “For half a century, he has championed every single policy initiative designed to make America weaker and poorer.”

During his speech, shouts of “Joe must go!” rang out throughout the convention center.

Trump will deliver a closing speech at the RNC on Thursday.