Wilkes County Veterans History Project: Avery Triplett

Avery Elliot Triplett, the son of Charles and Lorina Whittington, was born on October 15, 1930, in Dickenson County, Virginia. He was drafted into the United States Army in May 1951. He went to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic training then to Korea to fight in the war that was going on. Korean conflict it was called. Blood was shed and lives were taken with bitter fighting on Heartbreak Ridge. Avery was on the front lines for some time. A bullet glazed one of his legs and left a small place on his skin. His life was spared. He was awarded some badges and medals. Korean service medal with one bronze star United Nations service medal.

While in Korea, he met up with another man from Wilkes County (North Wilkesboro, N.C.) named Merle Goforth. He was in the United States Army. They were thousands of miles away from home. Avery was honorably discharged at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and returned home in May 1953. He married Ruth Crane on July 2, 1953. He raised a family, of two sons. Daniel Elliot Triplett was born on August 17, 1955. Archie Ray Triplett was born on September 29, 1958. I think his first job after returning home was working for Greene Brothers Furniture plant in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and then later, another furniture plant—Key City in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Billings Trucking Co. in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and other places in North Wilkesboro and ended up at Leasing and Diesel Trucking in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He retired at the age of 62.

He was a member of Lewis Fork Baptist Church in Purlear, North Carolina. He received Jesus Christ as his blessed savior at an early age. He truly believed in Jesus Christ. He worked at Lewis Fork Baptist Church. He went to church there all his life. He taught Sunday School for many years. He also was a deacon. He went home to be with the Lord on August 15, 2000. He was buried at Lewis Fork Baptist Church cemetery on August 17, 2000. He made his physical home of life here on earth in Purlear, North Carolina for 69 years. Avery had a brother named Max S. Triplett who was drafted into the United States Army from September 1951 to September 1953. He had a sister named Betty Jane Triplett who served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1963. He had a granddaughter, Katrina Triplett Wiles who served in the United States Army National Guard from 1993 to 2001. He also has a grandson, Kevin Ray Triplett, who served in the United States Air Force from September 2004 to September 2010.