Correspondent photo / John Patric Gatta Jim Rapone, left, of Champion, helps 104-year-old Jefferson “Jeff” Littell of Warren cut his birthday cake with a Civil War sword that Rapone provided during the event, which was Friday afternoon at Clearview Lantern Suites.

CHAMPION — Technically, Jefferson “Jeff” Littell was born on Feb. 8, but the celebration started two days early at Clearview Lantern Suites for what will be the Warren resident’s 104th birthday.

Asked if he had any advice to others seeking such longevity, Littell quickly answered, “Don’t drink and don’t smoke.”

Despite last-minute changes in the original time and location — Wayside Restaurant was still dealing with water damage from a busted pipe — more than 50 people including family members, friends and local officals attended the birthday party offering presents and eating slices from a specially decorated cake that featured a photo of Littell, a World War II veteran saluting, as well as the U.S. Navy seal.

Proclamations honoring Littell’s military service, contributions to the area and a long life that witnessed over a century of world history were read and then given to him as gifts — one by Trumbull County Commissioner Tony Bernard, the other from Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission board members Jim Yost, Allen Briggs and Chris O’Rourke and Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission Director Cari Delgado.

After the cutting of the cake, which used Littell’s longtime friend and event co-organizer Jim Rapone’s Civil War sword, more than a dozen musicians took part in a bluegrass jam session.

Prior to playing another number, Littell pointed out that one of the musicians was using an acoustic guitar that he made and brought to numerous festivals he frequented for fun and as a member of the bluegrass outfit, North Coast.

Born in Hundred, W.Va., Littell was the oldest of 12 siblings — seven boys and five girls. His younger brothers — Marvin, 89, of Howland and Jack, 83, of Champion — were present at Clearview as well as two nieces, a great niece and a great-grandson.

Due to the Great Depression, Littell left school after eighth grade and worked to help support his family. With the Civilian Conservation Corps, he went out west to Las Vegas to create fire trails and prepare cattle grazing land.

He came to Warren after his sister and friend moved to the area. Following the Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor, he and two friends joined the U.S. Navy.

After basic training he served aboard the cruiser USS Montpelier where he manned 40mm anti-aircraft guns. Proud of his service, Littell wore a cap with the ship’s name emblazoned on it at his party.

His tour of duty dealt with supporting Marine battles on islands in the Pacific, which included the infamous Battle of Guadalcanal.

Following the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he volunteered to check out the damage of the latter city. Riding on a flatbed truck, Littell described it as “flattened.”

“Probably wasn’t a good idea, but it didn’t seem to hurt me,” he said of the experience that left him unscathed from post-bombing radiation.

Littell received a letter of commendation for manning a 40mm gun on Nov. 27, 1944, where he stood his post while under attack from enemy aircraft. An official military letter praised his “courage and fighting spirit in the face of the enemy.”

He also received the World War II Campaign Medal, Pacific Campaign Medal, several citations and battle stars.

Dismissing the awards, he said, “Just made it out alive. That’s what counts.”

Leaving the Navy in 1945 as a seaman first class, Littell arrived back in West Virginia hometown on Christmas Eve.

Returning to Warren, Littell worked at Taylor Winfield as an electrician until his retirement.

Last September, he, along with 21 other Trumbull County centenarians, aged 100 or older, were honored during a luncheon at Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez brought proclamations from county officials to each of the honorees.

A longtime friend of the guest of honor Rapone praised Littell and others from that time period.

A Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, Rapone said in regards to Littell and others his age, “What a humble generation, the greatest generation that saved our liberties. Even though I served in Vietnam, I still feel humbled.”