Operation Valentine

A 104-year-old Marine veteran is hoping to add to the memory collection on his bookshelf this year by asking the public near and far for Valentine’s Day cards.

California resident and native retired Marine major Bill White spent 30 years in the active-duty Corps, he told KTXL.

His bookshelf already is full of memories he is proud of, he told KTXL ― including the Purple Heart medal he was awarded after leading Marines under heavy Japanese fire during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II ― but the retired Marine major wants more.

“I’ll save every one of them like I’ve been saving little things that have come up … and it’ll be a personal part of my history,” said Maj. White.

White spent 30 years in the service and was awarded many medals. His most prized is the Purple Heart he earned at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was wounded when a grenade blew up six inches from him.