who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive

Billy Young joined the Australian Army as a 15-year-old under the pretense of being 19 years of age. While the money for the rights to his story for the movie, Too Young The Hero amounted to $50,000, 50% went to two agents and 20% went to a writer of an unpublished book about Graham. Military Branch: U.S. Army Military Branch: Womens Army Corps The youngest United States Service member that saw combat during World War II was S2/C Calvin Leon Graham assigned to the battleship USS South Dakota 4 October 1942, he was 12 years old. "Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, Less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 60 years old." LawrenceBrooks, who was pictured holding a photo of himself as a soldier in 1943, died at the age of 112. We want to be able to finish and dedicate our expansion while we still have members of the Greatest Generation to thank for their sacrifice and service to the nation and to show the world what they mean to the principle of freedom.. He stayed in the United States until 2011, when he moved back home to Selce, Croatia. After finishing 7th grade in 1944 he signed up for the draft, claiming to be 18. They have an average age of 96. He was in fact, only 13 years old. The current policies permit tattoos almost anywhere on the body except for on the head and face. Frank Buckles, Americas last surviving World War I veteran, has died at age 110. The youngest World War II vet is at the age of six. Calvin Graham received a Purple Heart for his injuries and a Bronze Star for distinguished combat. Calvin Graham, the fresh-faced seaman who had set off for battle from the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the summer of 1942, was only 12 years old. : Yes "I played very small role but I was there," said Kelso. The youngest Pearl Harbor survivor is 97 years old and the total number of survivors is less than 1,500. At the age of eight, Momilo Gavri joined the Serbian army. Pat Corbin, a native of the Channel Islands, is currently 109 and will be celebrating her 110th birthday on St. Patricks Day. In 2009, Earnshaws resting place was marked with a granite headstone by the Commonwealth Graves Commission. After finishing 7th grade in 1944 he signed up for the draft, claiming to be 18. Also aged 110, Louisiana native Lawrence Brooks is currently America's oldest known living World War II veteran. Country of Origin: Selce, Croatia (but moved to the United States as a young man) He really shouldnt be old enough to have served in WWII. Sergei rose in the ranks, and became a junior lieutenant in his army. After Odile Washington passed away over the summer of 2020, Brooks became the oldest living person in Louisiana. Henry Gunther was a bank clerk from Baltimore, drafted the year before. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. : Died August 13, 2021 The Didos guns fired one shot and the plane flew away it was VE day and that was the last shot fired in the Second World War in Europe. Though his behavior wasnt entirely unusual for a young child wanting to be a grown-up, his motives were decidedly unique. Current Age (as of February 2021): 110 years, 6 months, 2 days Graham's mother revealed his age after he traveled to his grandmother's funeral in Texas (he arrived a day late) without permission from the Navy, for which he spent three months in a Texas brig. He enlisted in the Navy on August 15, 1942, and was sent to boot camp in San Diego, California, for six weeks, and afterwards he was sent to Pearl Harbor at Oahu, Hawaii, where he was assigned to USS South Dakota. As of 2021, estimates indicate there are only about 500,000-600,000 World War II veterans still . After she got married, Reed moved to Cornwall, England, where she and her husband owned a farm. Previous Occupation(s): Unspecified. Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 - November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. At the moment the bells struck and the guns went silent, a body fell in a French village. Nine million members of the armed forces served during a 20 year period from 1955 to 1975, and it took a toll on them. His real age was discovered when a former shipmate was looking for his grave, which was unmarked. Ricky Schroder plays Graham in the movie Too Young the Hero. After only three weeks of Boot Camp, Calvin got trained as an anti-aircraft gunner and was assigned to the battleship USS South Dakota. They're generally in their 90s, and about 245 die each day, according to the VA. At 95, Army veteran Lincoln "Linc" Harner still remembers the war. Walker is the second-oldest living person who was born in Wales, after Lilian Priest. Along with two of his friends, he forged his mothers signature on his enlistment papers and stole a notary stamp from a local hotel. The vessel would become famous for its aggressive Captain Thomas Gatch and relatively young and inexperienced crew. Previous Occupation(s): Aircraft Engineer. Ronald Hermanns is currently the oldest War World II veteran from New Zealand as well as the countrys oldest living person at the age of 109. The South Dakota limped back to the Brooklyn Navy Yard as newsreel cameras captured the return of what the pressed called Battleship X for security purposes. Calvins ship took an enormous beating with major damage, 40 killed, and 180 wounded, including Calvin. As the War continued, Walker was involved with the Food Flying Squad whose convoys of trucks took food and water to disaster areas. All answers about the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Armed Forces. He was married at the age of 14, became a father at 15, and divorced at 17. What happens if you get a tattoo in the Army? Country of Origin: Cadoxton, Glamorgan, Wales, UK She had seen him on a news special and quickly informed them that their newest decorated veteran was, in fact, barely a teenager. More than 70 million people fought in World War II, and there are still more than 200,000 survivors in the United States. Young faced a lot of extreme challenges in captivity, such as starvation, beatings, and flying practice a punishment that entails standing in the heat for hours. The National Archives does not have information about former service personnel on file. She continued her service until 1949 and eventually became the chief clerk of the dispensary at Fort Meyer, near Washington D.C. Noone ended her military career with the rank of sergeant first class. According to the U.S. Air Force Medical Standards Directory, Autism Spectrum Disorder is not disqualifying for continued military service unless it is currentlyor has a history ofcompromising military duty or training. The people listed below are, or were, the last surviving members of notable groups of World War II veterans, as identified by reliable sources. Finally, in 1978, Graham got his wish. Lawrence Brooks is currently the oldest living American World War II veteran at over 111 years old. In 2022, only 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive, reports the US Department of Veteran Affairs. His mother complained to the Navy about recruiting a 12-year-old. Calvin Graham, the Youngest American to Serve in World War II. With the dwindling population of WW2 veterans, he asked me to research if he was the youngest veteran alive today. He was discharged after only five months of service. However, while his fellow crewmen were off celebrating, his mother called the Navy and reported him. Military Branch: United States Army A few years later, Hills mother lent him $50 to open a shoe store after friend told him, There are enough doctors and lawyers. On November 11th, there is a public day of mourning for soldiers and civilians who have died in war. He supported himself by selling newspapers and delivering telegrams. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, only 25% of Americans who served in World War II are still alive today. He was in fact, only 13 years old. Help for civilians and veterans seeking information and military records, past and present. Calvins story reached a national stage in 1988 when CBS released the made-for-TV movie, Too Young the Hero starring Rick Schroder as Calvin. Perhaps thats why hes managed to stay relevant and at, In the modern era, its impossible to imagine our nations leaders being any younger than in their mid-50s, stressed out,, Fatherhood is a role difficult to undertake at any age. : Died In 1987 Anyone who served under the United States flag was eighteen, seventeen with parental consent. Later on in his life, Zech met Adolf Hitler in Berlin, and from there, he volunteered to fight at the war frontline rather than go back home. Country of Origin: Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation, Jackson County, Kansas, USA Jacklyn Jack Harold Lucas is one of the most selfless soldiers in American history. Yet, along with his gunnery officer, one Sargent Shriver, Calvin began tending the worse off. Country of Origin: Jersey, Channel Islands, UK They are dying quicklyaccording to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2022. He joined the Deutsches Jungvolk (German Youngsters in the Hitler Youth). After Germanys defeat in the Second World War, the four main allies in Europe the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and France took part in a joint occupation of the German state. During World War II Walker was apart of the Womens Voluntary Service (WVS) and helped out at Kingwood Camp, a hospital for German troops, guarded and run by the Americans. The first and last five trips were some of the most dangerous. Graham told his mother he was going to visit relatives and lined up. "They put me humping ammunition taking it from this point to the gun to be loaded and fired," explained Kelso. He was released after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers. He and his wife received just $15,000 before taxes. In 2022, only 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive, reports the US Department of Veteran Affairs. He was quickly drafted and shipped overseas - assigned to 342nd Armored Field Artillery battalion. Year of birth: 1928 People Magazine: The Navy's 'Baby' Hero https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10667014/calvin-leon-graham, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Calvin_Graham&oldid=1152165445, United States Navy personnel of World War II, United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War, United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officers, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 April 2023, at 16:15. The South Dakota returned to the East Coast on December 18, 1942, for an overhaul and battle damage repairs (she had taken 42 hits from at least three enemy ships) in New York City, and since then, was named "Battleship X" in order to make the Japanese think she had been sunk. While the minimum age for conscription was 18, 17 year olds could sometimes volunteer with parental consent. While the armed forces have content prohibitions for tattoos, the policies have evolved and become less restrictive regarding size and location. This governmental body includes. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. The Royal Air Force says it knows of only one surviving Battle of Britain pilot, the men Winston Churchill immortalized as the few who helped turn the tide of the war. Best of luck with your research! They also may be restricted in sharing specific names and birth dates of individuals for reasons of privacy. According to the VA, they are in their 90s, and about 245 die each day. That raises a sad and depressing question: when will America lose its last World War II veterans? [3] His case was similar to that of Jack W. Hill, who was granted significant media attention due to holding service number one million during World War II, but later was discovered to have lied about his age and subsequently discharged. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Calvin made the decision to enlist in the military. In the US over 16 million men served during WWII, so they are likely still quite a number still alive. The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 35, while Officers must accept their commission before age 31. Since 2015, Reed has been living in a care home in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Required fields are marked *. 10 Largest Armed Forces in the World Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!The National Archives does not have information about former service personnel on file. 8 Youngest Medal of Honor Recipients in History Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 90s or older. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Some of his teeth were knocked out. He didn't make it overseas before the war ended. "You had to be a certain age to buy beer," Kelso said with a laugh. He was killed at 10:59 a.m., about one minute before the Armistice was to take effect at 11:00 a.m. World War I ended precisely on the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month of 1918. His story is like something out of a Boys Own comic. [9], In 1988, he received disability benefits and back pay for his service in the Navy after President Ronald Reagan signed legislation that granted Graham full disability benefits, increased his back pay to $4,917 and allowed him $18,000 for past medical bills, contingent on receipts for the medical services. On Defence247gr.com, you'll find in-depth articles and updates on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other Armed Forces. His age was discovered after being wounded and he was sent home. There is no record of their underage service. However, though Calvin Graham was driven and determined to fight, as many of his relatives had before him, he was unprepared for some of the trials of war. He then worked in a Houston shipyard as a welder after dropping out of school. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) calculated that 245 WWII veterans were expected to be lost every day between September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2020. Country of Origin: Dewsbury, United Kingdom. She often taught other people how to drive. Honoring the 20th-century veterans sacrifice before they pass from the scene is at the forefront of everything we do at The National WWII Museumfrom our exhibits, to oral histories, to the Museums $400 million capital campaign, a lasting tribute to the war generation. At one point, shrapnel hit Graham square in the face, tearing through his jaw and mouth. LawrenceBrooks was the oldest surviving World War II veteran until he died in January of 2022. There are more than 200,000 World War II veterans who are still alive today. . The VA used a deterministic actuarial projection model to forecast the number of living veterans up to 2045 and the following infographic is based on its findings. He served with the predominantly African-American 91st Engineers Battalion in the Pacific Theater between 1941 and 1945. He has received awards like the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2021 Oldest.org | Terms | Privacy | Contact | Facebook, The history of mankind is filled with wars, battles, and skirmishes. Kelso didn't have much time to enjoy that beer. On Monday night, April 19 at 7:00pm, we will welcome two WWII veterans, 99-year-old Phil Horowitz in Florida and 92-year-old Harry Miller in Manchester, PA. Ive highlighted Harrys age for a reason: do the math. How Do You Clean Cows Udder Before Milking? YouTubeCalvin Graham upon his enlistment. Data journalist covering technological, societal and media topics, Estimated number of living U.S. WWII veterans up. After the War, Kabance moved home to take care of her elderly mother until she passed away. JFFCESTORE Molle Web Retainer Buckle Tactical Gear Holder Clip, [DEAL!] The business lasted until the 1990s when Hill decided to retire. He passed away at the age of 112. Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. There is a documentary about him called "Grandpa's War Story Goes Viral.". According to the VA, they are generally in their 90s. He later moved to Canada where he became a gardener and wine dealer. : Died July 6, 1941 Reluctant to fight with the young man, the dentist let Calvin Graham pass. Military Branch: US Marine Corps, US Army He spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Vietnam. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. She remained in the Army for 33 months, serving as a clerical worker. I have done a little research and found out who the youngest that served were, but no information about who is still alive. He joined the war at 17 years old. In the US over 16 million men served during, If you want a "Hollywood" version of Calvin Graham's story, there was a move made about it. Corbins given name is actually Elsie, but her family has always called her Pat because of her birthday. In 2022, only 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive, reports the US Department of Veteran Affairs. He was sent into battle and wounded - one of the youngest Americans ever to receive the Purple Heart. Krul had also obtained his American citizenship. My father in law is 92 and served in WWII at the end. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. According to the National World War II Museum, the oldest known American veteran of World War II passed away early Wednesday morning. He got his GED, then went to college, then signed up to serve again. Estimates of those killed vary from 35 million to 60 million. If you want a "Hollywood" version of Calvin Graham's story, there was a move made about it. Calvin saw his first action just southeast of Guadalcanal off the Santa Cruz Islands, when the South Dakota shot down 26 Japanese planes attempting to sink the Enterprise. Italy ($360 million) Italy was one of the main Axis Powers alongside Germany and Japan. [8] Although serving in the Marine Corps qualified him as a veteran, he would spend the rest of his life fighting for full medical benefits and clearing his military service record. Still Living? We had a volunteer here at the museum who served in the last year of the war 1945-46 and was 17 at the time of enlistment. Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart was a one-eyed, one-handed war hero who fought in three major conflicts across six decades, surviving plane crashes and PoW camps. Current Age (as of February 2021): 112 years, 7 days They have donated millions to local schools, museums and medical research. But the number of survivors is dwindling. This was the first time in the history of the United States that there had been a peacetime draft. As a young man, Hill played center field in the Negro Baseball League. Noone enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in 1943 at the age of 44 years old. Unfortunately, the figures could well be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. World War II veteran Jack Bartlett is 99 years old and hasn't missed an Anzac Day march in more than 60 years. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance. I didnt do any complaining because half the ship was dead.. According to Ronald Hermanns he was only the 19th person to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which was only a few years old by the time World War II started. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. , being only 15 or so when he enlisted in the U.S.Army. The Federal agency most likely to have such information is the. Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 - November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. Honoring the 20th-century veterans' sacrifice before they pass from the scene is at the forefront of everything we do at The National WWII Museumfrom our exhibits, to oral . He attempted to go back to school, get married, and start a life though by age 17, he was a divorced high school dropout and a father of one. Corbin got married to her late-husband John in the 1940s, and the couple traveled the world together before he passed away in 1970. Hill enlisted twice to the U.S. Marine Corps, and was a corporal for his second enlistment. Reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs say about 240,300 World War II veterans are still alive in 2021. Military Branch: 62ND Red Army Regiment During battle, he was hit by a shrapnel, and even though he suffered from fragmentation wounds, he still helped wounded soldiers aboard their warship. Which Is Stronger Pramoxine Or Lidocaine? Corbins father had been imprisoned for having a crystal radio hidden at his home. How Much Does It Cost To Sell Nfts On Opensea? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Current Age (as of February 2021): 111 years, 5 months When World War II ended, Krul moved to California, where he worked with Western Union for several decades. Two years later, the Navy reinstated Calvins Purple Heart. SAN ANTONIO On this Veteran's Day we are honoring the youngest living World War II veteran. Other than some hearing loss and eye degeneration, Hermanns is very healthy. According to the National World War II Museum, the oldest known American veteran of World War II passed away early Wednesday morning. According to Graham, the drill instructors knew that a number of the recruits were underage and punished them for it, often making them run extra miles and carry heavier packs. Lucas joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 14, having lied that he was 17 years old. After the War ended, Lumby worked with so-called Allied Control Commission that ran post-war Germany. As a young man, Hermanns became an engineering apprentice and fell in love with aircraft. Today, the minimum age requirement to join the military is eighteen years old in most countries around the world; however, during the second World War that lasted six years and one day (from 1939 to 1945), children did not shy away from serving in some capacity. Mr. John Tosh, the Director of the Texas Air Museum in San Antonio, Texas, is 87 and still going strong. In December 2020, Margaret Reed became one of the oldest people in the world to receive the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. You also may wish to contact Joshua Pollarine of Historical Research Associates, Inc who wrote Children at War: Underage Americans Illegally Fighting the Second World War. Who is the oldest living ww2 veteran? You should sell shoes. Hill ended up opening a successful shoe store that he named Avalon. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. Thanks for stopping by! How old is the youngest WWII veteran? He was in fact, only 13 years old. He also practiced speaking in a deep voice, pretending to talk like a man. Lawrence Brooks is currently the oldest living American World War II veteran at over 111 years old. Graham finally joined the United States Marine Corps in 1948 at age 17, but his enlistment in the Marines also ended early when he fell from a pier and broke his back in 1951 during the Korean war. He died only five months into the service. My Dad, SGM James O Schmidt, was 14 when he got his jump wings at Ft. Bragg- 1942 His birthday is 10/1/1927 He was sent to North Africa then jumped into Sicily with the 504 at 15. Lumby became a tank commander with the Lord Elgin Regiment during World War II. [5] He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, and he and his crewmates were awarded another Navy Unit Commendation. Parenthood is the single most important job a human being, While most kids attend college around the age of 18, there are an altogether different group of children who attend. These included the National Defense Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, which he never received in person. Who is the youngest ww2 vet still alive? SAN ANTONIO On this Veterans Day we are honoring the youngest living World War II veteran. Gertrude Noone is the second oldest female World War II veteran ever. Group Captain John Hemingway celebrated his 103rd birthday in July. He was only 12 years old, but was able to get . Every day, memories of World War IIits sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphsdisappear. Current Age (as of February 2021): 109 years, 4 months, 21 days Some twenty thousand dogs served the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. Immediately after his release, he trekked 250 miles back home, only to find his father dead. Born in 1901, Frank Buckles enlisted in the army in 1917 where he went on to drive ambulances and motorcycles during the conflict in Europe before passing away in February 2011 at the ripe old age of 110. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Military Branch: Australian Army We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As of February 2021 this list is as accurate as possible and will be updated as needed. About 70 million people fought in World War II and, as of 2022, there are still approximately 167,000 surviving veterans in the United States alone. Over the years, Marchand would return to the sport, and eventually set several records in his old age. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. She went on to work in accounting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before retiring in 1972. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) May 8 marks the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, when World War II came to an end in Europe.In the United States, V-E Day commemorations will honor the 16 million Americans who served during the war, even as only a small share of those veterans are alive today. He went on to fight in Korea and SGM Special Forces Vietnam. Through some cunning lies, Calvin Graham is the youngest confirmed soldier to serve in World War II.

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