Raymond Hunter is 97 years old.

Raymond Hunter served in World War II.

Raymond Hunter was “the tenth one they pulled out of the bowl when they had the draft.”

Raymond Hunter led a battalion of 600 men through four invasions in the Pacific Theater.

Raymond Hunter is glad to tell you all of this, but it’s hardly for attention. He never was one for that racket.

“Medals didn’t mean anything to me because all I wanted to do was get home,” he told a reporter with ABC 13 in Texas — where he makes his home — recently.

Despite this humility, a bunch of friends got together — spearheaded by a United States Navy Commander, Dr. Brett Perkison — and presented him with the medals he earned during his service.

“People like Raymond have provided a model for us as we build our own families and become citizens of the community,” said Perkison.

When finally face to face with the awards, Hunter was cheeky, showing that wry sense of humor.

“I thought at this age I would be dead. Today made me so proud and happy.”

That isn’t to say the vet didn’t offer his effective advice (a tutorial, really) on how to live so damn long.

“My secret being 97 years old is eat what you want to eat, drink what you want to drink, and don’t go to doctors,” he said.