James Elbert “Jake” McNiece (May 24, 1919 – January 21, 2013) was a distinguished U.S. Army paratrooper during World War II, born in Maysville, Oklahoma. A graduate of Ponca City High School, where he lettered in football for three years and served as senior class president, McNiece volunteered for the Army and paratrooper training in 1942.
McNiece earned the nickname “McNasty” and became the leader of the legendary “Filthy Thirteen,” an elite demolition unit whose daring exploits behind enemy lines would later inspire the 1965 novel and 1967 film “The Dirty Dozen”. A self-described troublemaker with a notorious anti-authoritarian streak, McNiece despised military discipline,
saluting, and what he considered meaningless regulations. He believed that anything not directly related to his combat mission was irrelevant, an attitude that kept him in constant trouble with superiors. Despite his rebellious nature and disregard for military protocol, McNiece’s natural leadership abilities and battlefield effectiveness repeatedly earned him promotions. His unit dropped behind German lines on D-Day, conducting dangerous reconnaissance and demolition missions. McNiece eventually rose to the rank of Sergeant and became the last surviving member of the Filthy Thirteen.
After the war, McNiece received numerous honors, including induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame and appointment as an
Honorary Colonel of the 95th Victory Division. He was also awarded an honorary master’s degree in Military Science from Cumberland
University in Lebanon, Tennessee. Known for his fearless leadership and unconventional tactics, McNiece remained proud of his military service throughout his life, embodying the spirit of the “citizen soldier” who answered his country’s call during its greatest hour of need.