Politics
Politics

Meet John Yates, the last WWII vet serving in the Georgia Legislature

By Kristina Torres
Nov 11, 2015
ExploreUpdate: Rep. John Yates, the last World War II veteran in the Georgia Legislature, lost a re-election race July 26, 2016

You wouldn't know it from his quiet demeanor, but Georgia Rep. John P. Yates is one of the most respected men at the state Capitol.

“He’s not a guy who wants to get up there and talk a whole lot, but I wish he would,” said state Sen. Hunter Hill, R-Smyrna, the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee chairman. “He lets his character do the talking rather than his mouth.”

That's high praise coming from a West Point graduate and decorated U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. But there's a good reason why Yates commands such respect:

He is the last World War II veteran serving in the Georgia Legislature.

On this Veterans Day, the 93-year-old Yates will do what he always does: Focus on other men and women who served this country. But discover why many of his colleagues wish the spotlight shone more brightly on him.

About the Author

Kristina Torres
More Stories

Keep Reading

Derek Dooley speaks at a campaign stop next to Gov. Brian Kemp, second from left, and First Lady Marty Kemp, left, at a parking lot of Dawson Hall on the University of Georgia campus before Georgia’s season football opener against Marshall, Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Athens, Ga. Kemp endorsed Republican Derek Dooley in Georgia’s 2026 U.S. Senate race. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Kemp cements his Senate choice, backs Dooley at UGA game

Gov. Brian Kemp on Saturday formally endorsed former football coach Derek Dooley’s campaign, surrounded by red-and-black clad fans just steps from Sanford Stadium.

OPINION

Dear Mom, one more column for the scrapbook

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's announcement it will end the print edition is the end of an era, but not the end of the news.

Congressman David Scott faces a new wave of Georgia challengers

Despite the concerns about his health and age as well as facing another tough primary contest, U.S. Rep. David Scott said he will seek another term in the House.

The Latest

Derek Dooley speaks at a campaign stop next to Gov. Brian Kemp, second from left, and First Lady Marty Kemp, left, at a parking lot of Dawson Hall on the University of Georgia campus before Georgia’s season football opener against Marshall, Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Athens, Ga. Kemp endorsed Republican Derek Dooley in Georgia’s 2026 U.S. Senate race. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Kemp cements his Senate choice, backs Dooley at UGA game

OPINION

Dear Mom, one more column for the scrapbook

Kemp makes case for Dooley in call to GOP donors

Featured

An aerial view captures a large area under construction for a new data center campus on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Developed by QTS, the data center campus near Fayetteville is one of the largest under construction in Georgia. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Georgia could restart regional energy, water reviews for data center proposals

Georgia is weighing rule changes to once again make certain data centers disclose information about their resource requirements to local planning authorities.

From Ponzi fallout to party power: Frost dynasty clings to Coweta GOP

By the end of the two-hour meeting, Brant Frost V had stepped down as Coweta County GOP chair. But in a show of his continued influence, he took on a new role.

After a decade of delays, $148M renovation to Cross Keys High begins

The $148 million project is expected to be completed in 2028. The school, which serves about 1,600 students, will remain open during construction.