About 58 years after his retirement from the U.S. Army, Oscar Primm Jr. of Gary will wear his uniform one more time on Sunday.
“He still has the shirt,” said Cassandra Primm, Oscar Primm’s wife. “But I’m getting him khakis and some boots.”
Oscar Primm, a 104-year-old veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, will be honored on Sunday by the Greater Sons of Amvets for his service, receiving the Lifetime American Hero Award. The Greater Sons of Amvets will honor him at its fundraiser gala.
“It feels good,” Primm said about receiving the award.
The Lifetime American Hero Award isn’t the first time Primm has received recognition for his service. Cassandra Primm has a corner of their shared apartment dedicated to honors that Primm has received throughout the years, including proclamations from Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and former Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson. Primm was also recognized as an honorary state representative by Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, for his 101st birthday.
World War II, Korea and Vietnam Wars U.S. Army veteran Oscar Primm sits next to his last uniform with his Sergeant First Class insignia at his home in Gary, Indiana, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Primm, at 104 years old, is scheduled to be recognized with a lifetime hero award from the local Amvets chapter. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)
Cassandra and Primm met about 20 years ago in Gary, about five years after Primm’s first wife, Ida, died. Primm met Cassandra as she was walking along Broadway, taking clothes to the laundromat for her mother.
“I met her walking down the street with a sack over her shoulder,” Primm said, grinning at the memory.
The two have been together for about 20 years, Cassandra said, and they were married in 2022. Cassandra is a caretaker for Primm, who also gets help from Larry Jenkins, commander of the Greater Sons of Amvets Squadron 6, and his son, Curtis Primm.
Over the years, Cassandra has heard so many stories from Primm that she can’t remember them all, she said. Primm doesn’t like to talk about his service much anymore, Cassandra said.
However, Curtis can remember everything about his father’s service through his childhood.
Cassandra Primm looks over pictures of her husband, World War II, Korea and Vietnam Wars veteran Oscar Primm, at her home in Gary, Indiana, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Primm has been married to Oscar, 104, for three years after dating for nearly 20. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)
“I never served because I spent so much of my childhood on bases,” he said. “In hindsight, I do regret it. I wish I had followed in his footsteps and served 20 years.”
Primm was born in Arkansas but moved to Gary in 1941 to start work at a steel mill, Curtis said. He was drafted for World War II while living in Gary.
Primm began to serve in World War II in 1942, and he left in 1946, Curtis said. Primm joined the Army Reserve, worked in a steel mill and opened a body and fender shop before he was called to serve in the Korean War.
He served in the Army full-time and retired after 20 years, serving through the Vietnam War.
A 1967 black and white photo of Oscar Primm in Vietnam at his home in Gary, Indiana, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Primm is a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam Wars U.S. and is scheduled to be recognized with a lifetime hero award from the local Amvets chapter. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)
“Since he went back, he gave up his body shop, and said, ‘Well, I’ll just stay for 17 more years,’” Curtis said. “My brother and I were both born in an Army camp in Arkansas.”
The Primm family — which included Oscar, his late wife, Ida, and their four children — traveled nationally and internationally while Primm was in the Army, including to Texas, France and Germany.
Primm retired as a maintenance sergeant, Curtis and Cassandra both said.
“His commander said he ran a tight ship,” Curtis said.
Primm has shared stories over the years of close calls from his service, Curtis said, including while in Vietnam and Germany.
Cassandra Primm shows World War II, Korea and Vietnam Wars veteran Oscar Primm his last uniform at her home in Gary, Indiana, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Mrs. Primm has been married to Oscar, 104, for three years after dating for nearly 20. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)
“I know he had an encounter with a German soldier, and they were saying, ‘Black man, why do you fight for your country when they don’t treat Black people right?’” Curtis said. “And he said, ‘It’s my duty.’”
Curtis is proud of his father’s service, especially when he thinks of the recognition that he’s received in Gary. Primm’s name was included on a veterans monument at Theodore Roosevelt High School, which Curtis would show people whenever he could.
“I used to show people and say, ‘Hey, come look at my dad over on this monument,’” Curtis said. “He makes me proud.”
Jenkins, with the Greater Sons of Amvets Squadron 6, said he met Primm about seven years ago through the organization, when Primm began to go to the Gary post to play dominoes.
“I’d see this man come in every day around noon or 1 (p.m.) and say, ‘Hey, does anyone want to play dominoes?’” Jenkins said. “And he’d just sit there in a chair, waiting for somebody to show up.”
Dominos celebrating World War II, Korea and Vietnam Wars U.S. Army veteran Oscar Primm’s 100th birthday at his home in Gary, Indiana, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Primm, now 104 years old, enjoys playing the game with his wife Cassandra. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)
Primm still goes to the Amvets post to play dominoes with others, he said Friday.
Since then, Jenkins has kept in touch with Primm, throwing him parties each year for his birthday, which is Feb. 24, and playing dominoes together.
“That’s why I wanted to include him in our gala and have him recognized in his own city,” Jenkins said. “The man has served in three different wars. I mean, that’s something worth celebrating.”
Jenkins isn’t a veteran, but he has family members who have served in the military, which inspired him to ensure veterans are recognized for their service.
He’s hosting the Sons of Amvets’ fundraiser gala on Sunday to raise money for veterans’ services. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, will be the keynote speaker for Sunday’s gala.
Jenkins wants people to acknowledge those in their community who have fought for the U.S., especially someone like Primm, who was in three wars.
“We made sure that his family will be there because they’re all going to be delighted,” Jenkins said. “A lot of times, people don’t get rewards for these things, so I want to make sure this is special, and I’m going to make this special for (Primm).”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com