A WWII Veteran Still Inspiring at 99

Why WWII Combat Veteran Stan Inspires Everyone at Edgewood

From Indiana, riding the rails to Bismarck, and running elevators for “ladies of the night” to mastering the Japanese language, you never know what remarkable life stories you’ll hear at Edgewood!

Forrest “Stan” Sharkey isn’t just living history—he’s making it every day. At 99 years old, this proud World War II combat veteran, intelligence officer, storyteller, and beloved resident of Edgewood Dominion.

 

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The Second Language That Opened Doors

When Stan left the U.S. Army in 1946, his official papers described him as an intelligence officer who collected information, mapped enemy movements, and patrolled and interrogated prisoners behind Japanese lines. What the record didn’t mention was even more remarkable: Stan spoke fluent Japanese—and still does today!

During World War II, he proudly served our country on the front lines of five South Pacific islands. His exceptional skills earned him selection to attend the International Language School in Maui, where he studied Japanese. Rising through the ranks to Sergeant and Intelligence NCO, Stan was entrusted with interrogating captured Japanese soldiers and gathering critical intelligence that directly influenced U.S. military strategy. This rare skill made him indispensable to his unit and even led to one of his favorite stories.

At the end of the war, during the peace talks, Stan befriended a Japanese Major while working to help keep local people employed. Their unlikely friendship grew out of respect for Stan’s unique ability to communicate fluently in both Japanese and English. Impressed by his skills, the Major even offered Stan a position with his family business empire—a remarkable opportunity that reflected the bond they had built across cultures.

Stan laughed as he recalled turning down the offer, which included an attractive salary, a home, a car, and two servants!

“The pay was more than I could have ever made in the U.S.; if I were allowed to stay, I would have.”

Riding the Rails to Running the Elevator

Stan’s resilience started long before the Army. At 14, he and a friend hopped a train from Indianapolis and ended up in Bismarck, North Dakota, where they lived under a bridge with drifters by the Missouri River until they found work.

By 15, he was the night elevator operator at the Patterson Hotel—working twelve-hour shifts for $1 a day. He still chuckles about taking the guests to meet “ladies of the evening.”

Those early years gave Stan grit, but also the gift of reading people—a skill that shaped the rest of his life and served him well both in the military and beyond.

Building a Life After Service

After the war, Stan desk clerked at the Prince Hotel in Bismarck, then he managed the Lewis & Clark Hotel in Mandan, and embarked on a 37-year career with Ritterbush Architects & Engineering, where he worked until his retirement in 1991.

But work was never his greatest joy. That belonged to his wife, Donna, and their two sons. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. After Donna’s passing, Stan made Edgewood Dominion his home—a place where his stories now ripple through the hallways, captivating residents and staff alike.

Stan’s Story Continues Captivating Others

 

Today, at nearly 100, Stan still dresses sharp, speaks Japanese fluently, and keeps everyone laughing with his quick wit and vivid memories.

From warfront bravery to train-hopping adventures, from hotel elevators to lifelong friendships, Stan’s story is one that never grows old.

At Edgewood Dominion, we’re proud to share life with Forrest “Stan” Sharkey—a WWII veteran, storyteller, and treasured part of our family.