By Rob Ollikainen
Peninsula Daily News
PORT ANGELES — Ruth Hunt-Polivka of Port Angeles celebrated her 101st birthday Thursday with friends, family and dignitaries from the United States Marines Corps.
The Clallam County centenarian is Washington’s oldest woman veteran and the second-oldest woman veteran in the nation.
Her place on the list has been verified by the state Department of Veterans Affairs.
“You’re kidding,” said Hunt-Polivka, when told of her status.
“Isn’t that remarkable?”
The nation’s oldest woman veteran will turn 103 in May, said local Marine veteran Terry Roth, who organized the ceremony.
“The girls who are runners-up to you — you’ve got them made,” Roth told her.
“The closest one to you is 99.”
When asked why she decided to enlist in 1943, Hunt-Polivka said: “I was in a hurry to get into the act.”
Hunt-Polivka completed her basic training and officer candidate school in Camp LeJeune, N.C.
She joined the Marines on Sept. 8, 1943, and served as a quartermaster administrative officer during World War II.
She was stationed in Goleta, Calif., during the war and left active duty Dec. 6, 1945, as a Marine captain, Roth said.
After the war, Hunt worked for the Veterans Administration in Portland, Ore., where she met her late husband, Doug Polivka.
In November 2008, Hunt-Polivka moved in with her niece, Cindy Hunt, in a home that overlooks Port Angeles on upper Mount Pleasant Road.
At her birthday celebration, Hunt-Polivka received an honorary membership to the Marine Corps League Mount Olympus Detachment, a proclamation signed by the Clallam County commissioners, a letter signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire and a letter signed by Maj. Gen. Angela Salinas, director of manpower management for the U.S. Marines.
“I salute you for service and for setting a superb example for the young Marines you came before,” Salinas wrote.
Marine Sgt. Chris Kemp presented Hunt-Polivka with the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
“Well, how wonderful,” Hunt-Polivka said.
Roth and Clallam County Veterans Coordinator Tammy Sullenger displayed war-era photos of Hunt-Polivka for the guests.
“I was a pretty good-looking Marine, wasn’t I?” Hunt-Polivka said.
Born in Oakland, Calif., on April 21, 1910, Hunt-Polivka moved to Portland when she was 9.
She was 99 when she moved to Clallam County.
“I realized that she was getting to the point where she really couldn’t live by herself any longer,” said Cindy Hunt, whose father was Hunt-Polivka’s brother.
Cindy Hunt said her aunt has always been independent. Other than a fall she suffered a few months ago, Hunt-Polivka is spry for her age.
“She’s really in very good health, other than a little bit of a problem with the eyesight,” Cindy Hunt said.
Earlier this week, Roth shared an anecdote about Hunt-Polivka scaring off two would-be burglars.
About a year ago, Cindy Hunt left to run some errands with her German shepherd when Hunt-Polivka heard a loud knock on her door.
“At 100 years old, Ruth doesn’t jump up and run to the door,” Roth said.
Two men kicked in the door and tumbled into the house. Using a drill sergeant’s voice, Hunt-Polivka said: “What the —- are you doing in my living room?!”
“The two guys immediately fled,” Roth said.
Cindy Hunt said her aunt has an excellent long-term memory and can remember many events from her childhood.
“I’m very proud of her,” Cindy Hunt said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
