On August 23, 2025, more than 300 people from 10 states gathered in Vaiden to honor James “Swamp Kitty” Cox.
On August 23, 2025, more than 300 people from 10 states gathered in Vaiden to honor James “Swamp Kitty” Cox, a World War II veteran who turned 100 that day. After graduating from Vaiden High School, Cox joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943, the youngest of four brothers who served during the war.
“My brother was a B-17 pilot,” Cox said. “He was shot down over Europe, but people with the resistance got him out safely. He was reported missing for about three months. My oldest brother spent 22 years in the military. Another brother was a tanker who fought from North Africa to Germany and earned a battlefield commission. He was leading a tank formation when his tank got hit and blew up.”
Cox loaded bombs, rockets, and ammunition on fighter aircraft as part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. In the spring of 1945, he boarded a ship for Okinawa. The United States invaded the island on April 1, 1945, kicking off the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War.
Sgt. Leavitt and I formed a partnership to honor veterans. Whenever I have a veteran event coming up, I call Sgt. Leavitt and Steve Sweet with the American Legion Post 32 in Greenville. I’m on a mission to find all our surviving World War II veterans and honor them. It’s a passion of mine.
“Most of my outfit came from the Northeast and had never been South,” Cox said. “They thought all of Mississippi was one big swamp. Another Marine was from Lucedale. We were the only ones from Mississippi in the unit.”
During the war, Higgins Industries of New Orleans built an amphibious vehicle called a Swamp Cat for moving across soggy terrain. Cox’s fellow Marines called him Swamp Kitty. The nickname stuck.
After the war, Cox returned to Mississippi and eventually became a tugboat captain. He worked up and down the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers pushing barges. He fathered four daughters and one son, which led to 31 grand, great- grand, and great-great-grandchildren.
The major celebration of Aug. 23 began as a family reunion. When word got out that a World War II Marine veteran was about to turn a century old, things mushroomed.
“I wanted to have a 99th birthday party, but people said wait until daddy’s 100,” said Lisa Cox Luckett of Greenville, Cox’s youngest daughter. “I didn’t dream it would turn into this. I was overwhelmed by all the people who came and the love that they showed. It was amazing.”
Luckett contacted the recruiting office in Greenville. The Marine recruiter works out of Grenada and only comes to Greenville when needed. Army recruiter Staff Sgt. Austin Leavitt agreed to help and enlisted his friend, “Big” Mike Jones of Big Mike Jones Enterprises and a roving internet reporter.
“Sgt. Leavitt and I formed a partnership to honor veterans,” Jones said. “Whenever I have a veteran event coming up, I call Sgt. Leavitt and Steve Sweet with the American Legion Post 32 in Greenville. I’m on a mission to find all our surviving World War II veterans and honor them. It’s a passion of mine.”
Luckett contacted Carlos Garcia with the New York Marine Corps League. He put her in touch with the Mississippi representatives who agreed to make a presentation.
At the celebration, Jones served as master of ceremonies. Dignitaries showered Cox with honors and proclamations including one from President Donald Trump. U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi helped get Cox a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Another proclamation came from Mississippi state Sen. Lydia Chassaniol.
Cox also received commemorative medallions and other honors. The Mississippi National Guard honored Cox with a Magnolia Cross, its highest honor.
“I don’t have words to express the appreciation for everything that happened,” Cox said. “It was all fantastic. I never thought I’d experience anything like that. I thank everyone who helped put this together and appreciate everyone who came.”
