LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A World War II veteran is celebrating a special milestone.

John Fredrick Hoppes turns 100 on Sept. 24 with friends and family throwing him a special party at Kingfish in Jeffersonville, Indiana on Sunday.

Hoppes served in the US Navy for eight years, enlisting in 1943 and honorably discharged in 1951.

He shared his secret to living as he prepares to join the centenarian club.

“My secret is I have good genes, and if you have genes that my mother had, who lived until 109 – chances are you're going to make it,” he said.

Hoppes was aboard the USS Tuck when it attempted to save the crew of its companion submarine, the USS Cochino after it was disabled by fire and explosions during a covert spy mission in 1949.

He is a father to nine children, 19 grandchildren, 32 great-g

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