Wilkes County Veterans History Project: Hobert Allen Yates

Hobert Allen Yates was born on May 7, 1946, in the quiet hills of Wilkes County, North Carolina. He came into the world at home, surrounded by the simple love of his mother and father. Life on the farm was humble, but it was honest. His father grew vegetables for the family and for sale, including tobacco, and much of their produce also went to feed local livestock. Though the family was poor by most standards, Hobert never felt like he went without. “We always had what we needed to survive,” he once said with pride.

From a young age, Hobert learned the value of hard work. He worked so diligently alongside his father that he earned an allowance—money he used to buy his own clothes, something that filled him with a deep sense of independence. He loved the feeling of earning for himself.

School was never quite the path Hobert saw for his future. After making it to the 11th grade, he decided to leave school and begin working at the local sawmill. But deep down, he held onto a different dream—one that had been with him for a long time. He wanted to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps.

At the age of 19, in October of 1965, Hobert made that dream a reality. He enlisted and was sent to Parris Island, South Carolina, for basic training. He recalled those first months of military life as incredibly tough—long days, hard lessons, and relentless physical and mental challenges. But it was there that he began learning the mechanical skills that would stay with him for life.

After completing training, Hobert was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and later at Camp Pendleton, California. He served with the 3rd Marine Division and earned the rank of Sergeant during his time in the Marines. His service included special duties such as beach landing training and participation in nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare school.

Most notably, Hobert served two separate 7-month tours in Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam War. It was a time that tested his strength and resolve in ways few can understand. Despite the challenges, he served honorably and returned home a veteran.

From a boy growing up on a small farm in Wilkes County to a Marine serving in one of the most complex conflicts in American history, Hobert Allen Yates lived a life marked by determination, resilience, and quiet pride. His story stands as a testament to the strength of rural American roots and the courage of those who serve.