James Sneed, a 103-year-old World War II veteran, shared his secret seven-word motto to longevity. Throughout his long life, he has witnessed remarkable historical events, including the Great Depression, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement. He reportedly lost his mother when he was just 9 years old and was later brought up by his grandmother.

While speaking with the Reader’s Digest brand, The Healthy, James Sneed shared his life philosophy, which he learned from his teacher growing up in Shiloh, Alabama. “Good, better, best, never let it rest. Till the good become better and the better become best,” the veteran said, giving his advice a rhythmic touch.

In addition, he credited his long life to working out at the YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus in Georgia three times a week. Encouraged by his daughter, Janet Sneed, to join the organization, he said, “I can’t do them all like they can. But I can do enough to get by, and I just try to do a little better every day.”

According to the report, research also shows that Sneed’s seven-word mantra could be one of the keys to his longer life.

Meanwhile, the centenarian and his two younger sisters were raised by his grandmother before his father remarried. He stated that his stepmother was “just like a mother” to them. While he acknowledged the hardships, he stated that there were “very happy stories” as well.

According to the report, when Sneed was still in high school, their principal informed the students that the United States was entering the global war. A few months after his graduation, he registered for the army at 18, when Pearl Harbor happened. At the time, he appeared for the Army General Classification Test — the WWII-era intelligence assessment for nearly 12 million recruits.

The army veteran scored 135 out of 150, securing a place in the highest category — Grade I — reserved for technical and leadership roles. Even after 80 years, he went on to proudly remember, “The Sergeant says, ‘You made 135 on that test. I’m going to give you one of them tanks out there.”

Following his training at Fort Clark in Texas, he was transferred to North Africa, Italy, and then, eventually, Switzerland. After World War II ended, Sneed remained aboard a ship for 361 days. He acknowledged being scared at the time while bombs dropped from the planes and the siren sounded all the time. “You couldn’t sleep. You ain’t got nothing to look to but the good Lord above,” he said.

Sneed’s daughter, Janet, shed light on a shocking revelation about what transpired after World War II ended. She said Black soldiers like James were removed from tanks before victory photos were taken so white soldiers could appear in the pictures instead. As a result, many famous images from the war did not fully show the people who actually fought.

Even after facing such unfair treatment, James returned home and focused on moving forward and working hard rather than holding onto anger.

According to WSAV, Sneed will celebrate his 104th birthday in September 2026 at the YMCA, his usual party spot.