Sgt. Louis Boria Jr. honored as eldest Marine at 250th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

By Christa Yates & Cassidy Mills, Staff Writers

 

November 19, 2025

 

Sgt. Louis Boria Jr. was honored as the eldest Marine in attendance at the Central Florida Marine Corps Foundation’s 250th Marine Corps Birthday Ball, held Nov. 8 at the Osceola Ballroom in Davenport, Fla.

 

The Central Florida USMC Birthday Ball is an annual event that celebrates the establishment of the United States Marine Corps on Nov. 10, 1775. This year marks a historic milestone for the nation’s armed forces, as the Marine Corps, Army and Navy all celebrate their 250th birthdays.

 

Each USMC Birthday Ball includes a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony. As the eldest Marine in attendance, Boria received the second slice and passed it to the youngest Marine in attendance, Private Riley Maglasang, symbolizing the passing of knowledge and tradition from one generation to the next. Maglasang graduated from boot camp at 18 years old on October 24, 16 days prior to the celebration.

 

Born in 1927, Boria enlisted in the USMC in 1943 at age 16. He was given a draftee serial number because, instead of formally enlisting through the Marine Corps’ voluntary process, he went through the Selective Service draft system after claiming to be 18.

 

In 1940s Marine Corps culture, being drafted was considered less honorable than volunteering, so Boria said his drill sergeant pushed him especially hard to test his commitment to the Corps.

 

“The drill instructor was on me all day, every day,” Boria said. “There were times I was ready to give up, but the guys I was with — what a great bunch of guys — they were just so encouraging.”

 

Boria entered Parris Island, one of the two main recruit training depots for the United States Marine Corps, where he spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. There, enlisted Marines undergo a rigorous 13-week boot camp designed to train them physically, mentally and emotionally to become Marines.

 

Despite the challenges of boot camp, Boria’s favorite memory from Parris Island came at the end of training during the final parade, when his drill instructor — who had been especially tough on him — called him over to speak.

 

“He shook my hand and told me, ‘You’re going to be a good Marine,’” Boria said. “I ran inside with tears, and the guys were looking at me, thinking he had put me back. They were asking, ‘What happened, what happened?’ I told them, ‘He shook my hand. He told me I was going to be a good Marine.’”

 

Before entering service, Boria grew up in a rough neighborhood marked by gang activity and racism. He said he was often targeted because of his Puerto Rican heritage, but he was welcomed with open arms at Parris Island.

 

“Growing up and hearing all of that, it’s very depressing,” Boria said. “But when I got to Parris Island I saw all of these white guys who were hugging me, shaking my hand, and I couldn’t believe it. It was great.”

 

While many retired Marines don’t wear their dress blues to formal events, Boria is known for continuing to attend in full uniform. For more than a decade, Boria has marched in the Apopka Christmas Parade in his dress blues.

 

When a birthday ball was canceled due to a storm, Boria said he walked 7.3 miles to his Veterans of Foreign Wars post to celebrate with fellow Marines, escorted by patrol cars and even joined by the mayor of Apopka.

 

“I walked 7.3 miles,” Boria said. “The mayor joined me. His wife joined us later and the three of us walked together. They kept telling me I could stop and get in one of the squad cars, that nobody was going to know. I said ‘except me. If I don’t make it, I’m going home,’ and I made it.”

 

Boria’s dedication to tradition and service reflects the values shared across all military branches, honoring the courage and sacrifices of service members as the Marine Corps, Army and Navy each mark their 250th anniversaries.

 

“There’s nobody that enjoys being a Marine more than me,” Boria said.