From New Zealand to America: 97-year-old Veteran served in two wars for two countries

Yahoo

28-03-2025

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Pete Leaming continues to devote his life to serving others after serving in two wars for two different countries, his native New Zealand and the United States.
Leaming, a two-time war veteran, says you are never too old to learn something new; he's 97. His friends call him 'Picasso Pete'; he's been an abstract painter for several years. From his apartment in Maryville, the New Zealand native has led a colorful life. He was 18 years old when he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1945, just before WWII ended in the Pacific.
'I went first to Manus, then onto Guadalcanal,' said Leaming. 'They were very strict about making us wear long-sleeve shirts so the mosquitoes couldn't bite us.'
Private Leaming was a ground crew member. With other airmen, they prepared the planes for combat.
'Our airstrip was covered with steel. The pieces were locked together,' said Leaming. 'When the airplane landed, you can imagine the rattling of steel. Oh dear, it was awful. But it was better than landing on the coral that chewed up the tires.'
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'Victory in Japan Day, what was that like for you guys serving in the South Pacific?' asked Dare.
'Somebody came in and said they've dropped an atom bomb on Japan. We all turned around and looked at each other and said, 'what the hell is an atom bomb?' We didn't know,' said Leaming.
With the war over, Leaming returned to his family farm in New Zealand. Then, he got the bug again and joined the British Merchant Marine.
'I was supposed to be a cook, but I ended up being a scullion. Do you know what that is? It's a person who washes the pots and pans,' said Leaming.
'You are in the British Merchant Marine, you find yourself docked in New York City, what happens?' asked Dare.
'I jumped ship,' said Leaming.
His next adventure was the United States Army. After months of training, U.S. Army Private Leaming was sent to Korea in 1951. He describes his time as a mortar man in Korea as cold.
As a result of severe frostbite to his feet, Leaming is 100 percent disabled. This military decoration in the middle of his cap is called a Combat Infantryman Badge. Leaming's unit fought in two battles.
'We were up on the front for five or six months,' said Leaming.
Leaming served in the Army from 1951 to 1953 and remained in the reserves for another four years. He is most proud of his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army.
Married for 62 years, he and his late wife Brenda had two daughters. He would serve again, wearing another uniform of the Rochester, New York Police Department where he retired as a patrolman.
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'I'm helping wounded soldiers trying to find a life,' said Leaming.
Today, Leaming donates the sale of his abstract paintings and his dried flora artwork to the Wounded Warrior Project. His artistry is created from the heart and he salutes those who serve in the military today.
'They're doing a good job, a job that has to be done. I am proud to have been just a small part of it,' said Leaming.
Veterans Voices: Hear the stories of those who served
If you know a Veteran who could be recognized, send Don Dare an email at [e-mail] or give him a call at 865-633-6923.
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