Six who served: these World War II veterans, with their unique experiences and wisdom, epitomize public service.

• Author: Wolf, Mark
• Position: LAWMAKER VETERANS

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As World War II raged in Europe and the Pacific, six young American men did what millions of others did. They joined up to serve their country. They didn't know each other then--and they don't now. But a bond of patriotic service connects them more than 60 years later. Now in their 80s and 90s, they are part of the Greatest Generation, and each brings his unique experiences to the job of state legislator.

Three are Republicans, three are Democrats. Their service to the nation reflects the diverse experiences of their fellow veterans: some were in combat, some in support, some joined near the war's end, but each was affected by his service in some way.

Like these six, millions of soldiers, sailors and fliers returned home from World War II to spark a robust economic rebirth, populate the nation with little baby boomers, and assume leadership roles from the. White House to the school board. Seven became presidents, and countless more became state legislators.

Today, these six remain on active lawmaker duty.

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GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE JOHN YATES (R) was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1988. He is chairman of the Veterans and Defense Committee and serves on the Appropriations, Motor Vehicles, and Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment committees.

John Yates grew up one of seven children on a farm in Griffin, Ga., and knew early that he wanted more than the low wages earned in the local cotton mill. So he left home at 18 for California where he was living with his pregnant wife when the war broke out. He tested into field artillery officer candidate school and found his high school education pitted against college degrees.

"It was the toughest three months of my life. We studied all the time. They didn't give you enough to eat or time to eat it. They were trying to break you. The washout rate was about 80 percent," says Yates, now 91. He was commissioned as an officer, trained as a liaison pilot by crop dusters and sent to Europe to join the 127th Field Artillery, or as he points out, "President Truman's old outfit." He flew more than 200 low-altitude missions in a Piper Cub, directing artillery fire while avoiding both German Messerschmitt aircraft fighters as well as snipers on the ground.

"I was flying in front of guns along the front lines. To keep the Germans from shooting you down you had to keep them guessing. You'd fly at 3,000 feet, then 2,500 feet. If you did that, you wouldn't get shot. The Piper Cub was the perfect plane if you had superiority. I could look out the plane and see the bombs flying over me," says Yates, who saw extensive action during the Battle of the Bulge.

Yates' final mission was flying along the Rhine River north of Cologne. A message from the ground inquired if the bridge across the Rhine was still intact. "I said 'Yes,' then 'No.' The Germans blew it up while I was watching."

He was a captain with six Air Medals and four Battle Stars by the time he left the service. Three of his four brothers also served in the war. Two were captured, and one was hospitalized, but they all returned safely. Following his discharge, Yates earned a degree from Georgia State University and...