CHS graduate to be honored at Business Appreciation Luncheon

Don Root

A Corbin High School graduate, decorated World War II veteran and expert on jet engines used in military aircraft will be honored for lifetime achievements during a special Business Appreciation Luncheon to be held next Wednesday.

Retired Master Sergeant Don Root, who will be 92-years-old this upcoming February, will be presented with a plaque and his achievements during his lifetime remembered, said Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney, during a special portion of the luncheon.

Root was born in Corbin in 1922 and is the son of Henry and Mitzy Asher. He was an “ace halfback” for the Corbin High School varsity football team and also played baseball. After high school, he volunteered to join the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and saw action in eight major battles during World War II.

He spent a total of 24 years in the marines before retiring.

After World War II, his First Marine Division was the first to land in Korea during the Korean War where he survived his ninth and last battle, the Battle of Chosen Reservoir, fought in brutal sub-zero temperatures.

While in the military, he was an expert marksman.

After retiring from the military, he became an expert on jet engines for military aircraft and “gave lectures on their functions and operations.” He served alongside U.S. astronauts Alan Shepherd and Jerry Carr at the U.S. Navy Experimental Jet base in Maryland.

Roots nephew, Don B. Root, said his uncle was a big influence on him as a child.

“He was my mentor. He’s always meant a lot to me,” Root said. “He was recognized for a lot of the things he did in war, but he was never real flamboyant. He didn’t do anything for medals.”

Root said his uncle was always soft spoken and lived clean, never drinking alcohol, gambling, smoking or cursing.

Bob Terrell, a retired executive with Ford Motor Company, said he’s been advocating for Root to be honored for his achievements because he said they are worth remembering.

“Here’s a young man who went to Corbin High School, grew up a good kid, played sports and then went on to serve his country and do great things,” Terrell said. “There are so many kids today growing up and they have no idea of the history of those kind of things.”

“I think from time to time we need to recognize those kinds of people and let people here know about them.”

Root’s wife Sarah died in February. His nephew said Root is sick and won’t be able to attend the event, but he plans to accept the plaque in his honor.

The Business Appreciation Luncheon will be held at The Corbin Technology Center at 11:30 a.m. Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Adam Edelen will be the featured speaker at the event.