#721 Gary Corbett Marine Veteran; 19 Aug 2026

🇺🇸 EPISODE #721 — GARY CORBETT | U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN “If you're enjoying it, do it. Don't think about the numbers. They're just numbers.” On this episode of The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices, AJ Cox sits down with 92-year-old Marine Veteran Gary Corbett—and what follows is nearly a century of stories packed into one unforgettable conversation. Born in Detroit in 1934, Gary survived being struck by a car at four years old, suffering two broken legs and reportedly being told he might never walk again. That little boy went on to do a whole lot more than walk. Gary joined the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, completing boot camp at MCRD San Diego before entering Marine aviation. He trained in air traffic control and served with Marine Air Control Squadrons, eventually deploying to Korea. During one stormy night in Korea, Gary and two other enlisted Marines received a call from an Air Force aircraft desperately low on fuel. With the duty officer nowhere to be found, they helped guide the aircraft toward a nearby runway—even though they weren't technically authorized to do it. The next day, they found themselves standing in front of the commanding officer. That is only one story from a Marine Corps journey that took Gary from Korea to California, Hawaii, Japan and Arizona. He was stationed in Hawaii when it became the 50th state, survived a hurricane at sea while traveling to Japan, and later became one of the first Marines assigned to Yuma after the Corps took over the base. There, Gary helped train Marines transitioning from the infantry into aviation as ground control intercept controllers. After leaving the Marine Corps as a Sergeant, Gary carried those skills into civilian life and eventually became an FAA air traffic controller, later moving into management before retiring in 1994. But retirement certainly didn't slow him down. 🏍️ Gary's lifelong love of motorcycles led to more than 200,000 miles on two wheels. He rode through all 48 contiguous states, stopping at a Harley-Davidson dealership in each one. He later rode from Florida to Alaska, crossed the Arctic Circle, and returned home after a 44-day adventure. Even a serious motorcycle accident that left him with a broken neck, ribs and thumbs couldn't keep him down. Gary also continues serving veterans through the Marine Corps League and Patriot Guard Riders, standing flag lines, participating in funeral honors and supporting fellow veterans. At 92 years old, he's still active in the Marine Corps League, still attending reunions, still driving, still exercising—and still enjoying life. His outlook says it best: “They told us in boot camp we could do anything, and I believe that.” 🎙️ Host: AJ Cox 🇺🇸 Guest: Gary Corbett — U.S. Marine Corps Veteran 🎧 Episode #721 From Korea to the FAA, motorcycles to the Marine Corps League, Gary Corbett reminds us that a Veteran Story doesn't end when the uniform comes off. 🌐 TheLostArtProjectVeteransVoices.org More than just a podcast. A living digital history. 🇺🇸 Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.