St. Johns County Honors Two Centenarian World War II Veterans
Board of County Commissioners recognizes lifelong service and sacrifice of Bill West and George Ceccanese
Key Takeaways:
- Centenarian WWII veterans honored in St. Johns County: The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners recognized two 100-year-old World War II veterans, William “Bill” West and George Ceccanese, during a May 5 ceremony and public meeting, highlighting local efforts to preserve the legacy of the Greatest Generation.
- Distinguished military service across global theaters: West served in the Pacific Theater with the 780th Amphibious Tank Battalion and as a military police officer in the Philippines, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, while Ceccanese served as an Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet and later as a Navy reservist, reflecting diverse wartime contributions.
- Lifelong commitment to community and service: Beyond military duty, Ceccanese led community initiatives including Habitat for Humanity housing projects in St. Augustine, while West’s family continued a legacy of service across generations, reinforcing the enduring impact of veterans in St. Johns County.
On May 5, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners honored two World War II veterans, William “Bill” West and George Ceccanese, recognizing their service, sacrifice, and contributions to the nation and their community as both men reached 100 years of age. The recognition began with a ceremony in the St. Johns County Administration Rotunda at 8 a.m. and continued with a formal recognition during the Board’s regular meeting beginning at 9 a.m.
The special recognition highlighted the extraordinary lives of two members of the “Greatest Generation,” whose military service and lifelong commitment to others reflect the values of duty, resilience, and patriotism.
West, born in 1926 in Beverly, New Jersey, enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18 during World War II. After training at multiple installations across the United States, he deployed to the Pacific Theater, where he served with the 780th Amphibious Tank Battalion and later as a military police officer assigned to Camp John Hay in the Philippines.
During his service, West participated in operations in Manila Bay under enemy fire and carried out duties including road patrol, prisoner guarding, and interrogations. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest award for valor, as well as the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and World War II Victory Medal.
Despite the hardships of war, including illness, combat conditions, and a dangerous return journey through a typhoon, West has remained humble about his service and consistently emphasized the sacrifice of those who did not return home.
Ceccanese, also born in 1926, began his military service in 1944 as an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After his discharge in 1945, he pursued higher education at Purdue University and later took a commission in the U.S. Navy, where he served in the reserves for 14 years.
Ceccanese’s commitment to service extended well beyond his military career. He built a successful professional career with General Electric, earned a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University, and later contributed internationally as an economics instructor in China. After retiring to St. Augustine in 1988, he became deeply involved in the community, including serving as Executive Director and President of Habitat for Humanity, where he helped oversee the construction of 24 homes.
He has also been recognized for his civic involvement with honors including Catholic Charities’ Good Samaritan award and multiple lifetime memberships in service organizations.
Both veterans come from families with deep military ties. Ceccanese’s brothers also served during World War II, while West’s sons later served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
The Board of County Commissioners expresses gratitude to both men and their families, emphasizing the importance of preserving and sharing their stories for future generations.
These men represent the very best of the nation, and the County is honored to recognize their service and celebrate their remarkable lives in St. Johns County.
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