Centenarian Skydives Again!

People
Monday, August 18, 2025

Above: Hernandez enjoys the view in freefall. Photo by Jesse Magana.

On May 31, 100-year-old World War II veteran Eli Hernandez made a tandem skydive with Gregory Marcinkowski at the Kansas State University Parachute Club in Abilene. This was Hernandez’s second tandem jump; his first was when he turned 90. A former Army paratrooper, Hernandez completed eight static-line jumps from 1,200 feet beginning age 19. Throughout his military service, he earned several honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Knights of the French Legion.

Jesse Magana D-12628
Manhattan, Kansas