Our American veterans are an important part of our American history. My father, Billie D. Cooper, served in WWII with the U. S. Army Engineers and helped occupy Japan. He, like most WWII Veterans, has passed away. However, a recent celebration of the 100th birthday of a WWII U.S. Marine in Vaiden, Mississippi was not only a birthday celebration for Corporal James A. Cox, aka Swamp Kitty, but a stark reminder that our American society owes an incredible debt to all U.S. veterans.
“Ever since the 5th of July I worked on this event to honor WWII Marine Corps veteran James A. Cox, aka ‘Swamp Kitty,’” said event coordinator Mike Jones. “Corporal Cox was born on August 23, 1925. He spent three years in Okinawa, Japan fighting in one of the bloodiest battles of the South Pacific campaign.”
“On July 8, 2025, when I first met Swamp Kitty, I had no idea who he was, and knew nothing of his incredible story,” said Jones. As providence dictates, Mike Jones knew Corporal Cox’s daughter, Lisa. Jones’s son took care of Lisa’s yard. It’s a small world.
A third connection in this intriguing story materialized in famed outdoor writer John Felsher, an Air Force Veteran. Felsher’s father flew one of 18 planes out of the airport on Okinawa that Swamp Kitty spent three years of his life defending. Felsher’s crew were the only survivors of the 18 crews, and their plane was riddled with gunfire.
John Felsher got to meet the man, Swamp Kitty, who helped protect his father on Okinawa, allowing him to return home to his beloved United States of America and raise a family.
Mike Jones commented, “I believe it was God’s plan for the three of us to come together, unweave an incredible story, and celebrate Marine Corporal James A. Cox’s 100th birthday with a grateful nation.”
Col. Drew Robertson delivered and presented to Corporal James A. Cox, who served 3 years in Okinawa, Japan during the bloodiest fighting of the South Pacific the Magnolia Cross of Mississippi for his service and for turning 100 years old on August 23, 2025.
Over 300 people attended this birthday celebration including family, friends, lots of veterans, military service personnel from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps League, Patriot Riders, American Legion Leaders, VFW Members, John Felsher, outdoor writer and military historian from Mobile, Alabama, Vaiden Mayor and City Council, l and lots of strangers who just wanted to come say, “Thank you for your service and happy birthday.”
A U.S. Flag from the Capitol in Washington DC was sent and presented to Swamp Kitty, as well as a proclamation from President Trump.
The flag was neatly folded by Marines and placed into a special shadow box. A one of a kind special made medallion was also presented. Many birthday cards and calls from the Commander of American Legion Post 32 out of Greenville, Mississippi and from FL National Convention to wish Swamp Kitty a Happy 100th birthday capped this spectacular event.
This gala event and military presence was organized by Big Mike Jones Enterprises — Mike Jones Roving Reporter as a birthday present and special honor for Swamp Kitty and his family.
Closer to home, another veteran celebration took place in Rolla August 25th. Bill Feeler, another WWII veteran, turned 99. Friends and family gathered at I-Hop to honor Feeler.
Born in 1926 on Spring Creek, Feeler was one of 23 children.
“I received a letter from President Roosevelt when I was 18,” Feeler said. “The letter said that my friends and neighbors had chosen me for service. I didn’t remember having talked to any of them about the matter.”
In 1945, Feeler arrived on Luzon in the Philippines. My father was deployed there during the same time frame.
Feeler drove a jeep for General Green, an aide to General McArthur. Feeler landed on the shores of Japan nine days after the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Feeler shared many memories from his 99 years. He recalled his father driving cattle from Spring Creek all the way to Sedalia.
“It was still free range then,” he said.
Being a fisherman myself, Feeler had to tell me a grand fishing tale. It seems a friend of his came to visit and his mom and dad left the two teenagers home alone.
“It had come a big rain and the dam on Spring Creek Lake broke,” he said. “We were old enough to know better, but we pulled a grand stunt anyway. A lot of big bass washed from the lake down into Spring Creek. We saw several swim under a big rock and had no way to get to them. My dad kept dynamite on hand, so my buddy and I went and got a whole stick. I had no idea how powerful dynamite was. We tossed it into the creek. Fish were floating everywhere. We gathered them up and went home to cook them. As it turned out, the fish were so mushy we had to toss them. The statute of limitations is past, or I wouldn’t have told the story,” Feeler said.
Celebrating 199 years between two WWII veterans made for a special week. We owe them deeply.
Big Mike Jones organized the Mississippi event. Sept. 22-24, he is bringing the #2025moozarkfishcamp — #catchcookcleanadventure to St. James. Sixteen writers from five states will feature Maramec Spring Park and the Meramec River region.
