Island World War II veteran Clarence Miller Bannister turned 100 years old on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.
The senior Bannister was a sergeant in the U.S. Army, and first inducted into the service on June 28, 1943; he was honorably discharged on Feb. 24, 1946, at the former Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
Clarence served in the Pacific Theater of WWII, and was stationed in the Philippines.
His sons, Quinton and Amaury Bannister, told The Times about their father in the days before his centennial birthday.
Clarence earned several awards for his service: the Pacific Theater Service Medal with one bronze star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
His family is originally from the Washington, D.C., area. He would marry his wife, Ethel, on Sept. 17, 1948. They were together for 71 years until her passing in 2019.
Quinton told The Times that the Bannisters had visited his grandmother on the Vineyard since the early 1960s; she worked as a summertime maid for an Island family in West Chop. The Bannisters would eventually move to the Island around 1968, after the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
On Martha’s Vineyard, Clarence would become a food and produce manager with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. in Edgartown, more commonly known as A&P. The store was located where Stop & Shop currently stands.
Clarence was a frequent visitor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Oak Bluffs, and Quintin said a birthday card reading “100” was prepared with loads of messages from members of the VFW. A card was also prepared with messages from individuals from the Packer Co. in Vineyard Haven, who had worked with Clarence before.
Currently, Clarence lives at Henrietta Brewer House, an assisted-living facility in Tisbury.
There aren’t many veterans who served during WWII remaining on the Island. Dukes County veterans services officer Randy Dull told The Times there are only four or five veterans from the Greatest Generation still on the Vineyard. Veteran Bob Penney from Oak Bluffs turned 100 earlier this summer.
I had the pleasure of working with Clarence for 15 years while working at the A & P, there was no better person to work for, he was an incredible boss, co-worker and man, I was so very lucky to have had him as a mentor growing up.
Clarence was such a gentleman when we would chat while I would shop at the A&P. We would talk Basketball when Amaury was a star for the Vineyard. Lucky for the A&P they chose the Island.
Clarence! I remember you very well from the A&P. Always a true pleasure to talk for a moment, and also to introduce my Papa to you, who was also a WWII Veteran. Much love to you. Thank you for your service, and for being part of our lives here.
Clarence was my boss at Stop and Shop when I was in high school. He was the kindest funny and caring man. My years with him was my pleasure. Congratulations Clarence on your 100 birthday!♥️😘🙏🎂🎁
WWII veteran, Norma Bridwell, will celebrate her 91st Birthday on January 13, 2024.
Happy 100th birthday Mr. B. It is an honor to call you my friend
Mr. Bannister always greets everyone with a smile and is truly a gem. In my years as a nurse, he has remained one of my favorites. Happiest of birthdays to you, Mr. Bannister. You spread joy and love wherever you go and that is a rarity in this time we live in.
Sending you infinite love and magic on your 100th birthday.
– Jade & Dee
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