who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive

Previous Occupation(s): Waiter, dish washer, and telegraphist. On October 26, 1942, he participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz. Current Age (as of February 2021): 110 years, 1 month, 24 days How many ww2 veterans are still alive 2022. Graham worked as a loader for an anti-aircraft gun. 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. Back in Crockett, Texas, Calvins mother saw the footage in the local theater and exclaimed, Thats my son! Calvin had told her he was visiting relatives out of state. The Federal agency most likely to have such information is the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and there is no guarantee that their information is complete and current for all veterans as they are only involved in providing services to veterans and their survivors that apply for them rather than actively tracking all veterans throughout their lives. While the minimum age for conscription was 18, 17 year olds could sometimes volunteer with parental consent. ZIMOCE Night Vision Goggles Tactical Gear, 1080P Video Night Vision, [DEAL!] He also practiced speaking in a deep voice, pretending to talk like a man. But - he was only 13 years old. I have done a little research and found out who the youngest that served were, but no information about who is still alive. My father in law is 92 and served in WWII at the end. By the end of the War, Corbin had achieved the rank of lieutenant. "I didn't pay a lot of attention to it really," said Kelso. 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. Country of Origin: Baltimore, Maryland, USA The last surviving veteran was Claude Choules (on the photo), who served Royal Navy during WW1. Military Branch: Royal New Zealand Air Force He was bayonetted in the leg. The Purple Heart, however, was the exception. At 52 and 125 pounds, Calvin didnt look anything close to enlistment age. 10 Oldest World War II Veterans (Updated 2020), 11 Oldest Pearl Harbor Survivors (Updated 2021), 8 Youngest People to Become Dentists Ever, Stephen Colberts 10 Siblings Ranked Oldest to Youngest, 8 of the Youngest Fathers in Recorded History, 8 Youngest Kids to Go to College in History. Alfred Zech showed courage from a very young age. Does anyone know how I can go about finding this information? We have a photo of Graham and Schroder together and its an interesting chapter to his (Graham's) life. He broke his back in a freak accident, and was back selling magazine subscriptions as a civilian. World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945. Lawrence Brooks The total for Europe alone was 15 million to 20 millionmore than twice as many as in World War I. Hi, I'm Michael and I specialize in military defence analysis. How Much Does It Cost To Sell Nfts On Opensea? In 2015, he was awarded the Highest Award in France - the Legion of Honor - for his part in liberating the French from the Nazi regime. Kabance then worked for the Air Force in Topeka, Kansas until the base closed. 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 had recently moved into a boarding house with his brother, escaping an abusive father and crowded family home. According to the VA, they are in their 90s, and about 245 die each day. Although I am, with 85 years on the planet, currently finishing up my write of the sequel, with one character who served in Vietnam, two others in Korea; so am grateful for this site that gives me a bit more information, and glad to find that a few WWII are still with us, and grateful to those who served in Vietnam, Korea and the on-going "police" actions.. Sergei survived a lot at war, including drowning, mines, and gunfire, but he miraculously survived each of these events. Krul had also obtained his American citizenship. He passed away at the age of 112. After she got married, Reed moved to Cornwall, England, where she and her husband owned a farm. Country of Origin: Warsaw, Poland. But in the battle tested eyes of America's youngest ever World War II hero, the fight is still there! Country of Origin: Loughgilly, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, UK [6][4] At age 14 he married and became a father the following year. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Military Branch: Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), part of the British Army Help for civilians and veterans seeking information and military records, past and present. In October, he steamed out as part of a task force with the carrier USS Enterprise to engage the enemy at Guadalcanal. A World War II veteran participates in a Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2019, in New York City. At one point during the journey, a lone German aircraft approached the ship. That raises a sad and depressing question: when will America lose its last World War II veterans? Data journalist covering technological, societal and media topics, Estimated number of living U.S. WWII veterans up. When he arrived at the enlistment office, he lined up behind two boys who he knew were only 14 and 15. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They guarded posts and supplies, carried messages, and rescued downed pilots. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. World War II was the most destructive war in history. He was only 12 years old at the time. Gluten, Dairy, Sugar Free Recipes, Interviews and Health Articles . "They killed one of our guys," Kelso said. Military Branch: British Merchant Navy Your email address will not be published. SAN ANTONIO On this Veteran's Day we are honoring the youngest living World War II veteran. The last veteran to serve in the trenches was Harry Patch, who passed away at the age of 112. Anyone who served under the United States flag was eighteen, seventeen with parental consent. 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. After the War ended, Lumby worked with so-called Allied Control Commission that ran post-war Germany. Gerald Herbert/AP. Graham was just 11 and in the sixth grade in Crockett . Thanks for stopping by! He spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Vietnam. Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 90sor older. Graham told his mother he was going to visit relatives and lined up. Ezra Hill, who turned 110 a few months ago, has lived an interesting life and has tried his hand at many different career paths. 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. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. And his story is one of the saddest youll ever hear. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. When Calvin Graham was 11 years old, he began shaving, convinced it would make him look older than he was. His mother complained to the Navy about recruiting a 12-year-old. 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. : Died August 13, 2021 At age 17 he was divorced when he enlisted in the Marine Corps.[6]. 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. After he was unable to find work in his hometown after high school, Krul decided to move to America. "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." 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. In 1941 at age 11, he left home to live in a boarding house, supporting himself by selling newspapers on the street and delivering telegrams at night. The youngest soldier ever was a 1-year-old boy who was born in Iraq in 2003. Current Age (as of February 2021): 112 years, 7 days 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. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In November 2019, Julia Kabance became the first Native American to receive the Distinguished Citizen Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution. M-Tac Ace of Spades Embroidered Patch Death Card Tactical Morale. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive? All answers about the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Armed Forces. When World War II ended, Krul moved to California, where he worked with Western Union for several decades. There is a documentary about him called "Grandpa's War Story Goes Viral.". Germany concluded a variety of treaties with Western and Eastern countries as well as the Jewish Claims Conference and the World Jewish Congress to compensate the victims of the Holocaust. All men between the ages of 21 and 45 years old were required to register for the draft in 1940. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Still Living? He, too, lied about his age in order to serve his country. Kelso was sent home where he made front page news across the country. Initially, he was not scared of the Japanese soldiers, but after his capture, he was in for a shock when he realized the extent of the Japanese brutality. He has received awards like the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. Military Branch: Unspecified Ricky Schroder plays Graham in the movie Too Young the Hero . Three weeks later, the South Dakota joined the four-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal where it fought in ramming range with eight Japanese destroyers. As an already incredibly independent kid, its no wonder Graham felt ready to join the war effort. 5 Oldest Branches of the U.S. Military If you dont pass me also, Ill go to your superior.. When soldiers were wounded in his Goldenau hometown, he commandeered his fathers cart to rescue them, saving 12 men in total. More than 70 million people fought in World War II, and there are still more than 200,000 survivors in the United States. He was only 12 years old, but was able to get . 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. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran alive? How many World War II vets are still alive? The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 35, while Officers must accept their commission before age 31. Current Age (as of February 2021): 109 years, 4 months, 21 days The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". How many Pearl Harbor survivors are left? The most recent survey by the Department of Veterans Affairs was taken in 2018 which showed there were 568,344 surviving veterans in the United States. : Died In 1987 Also aged 110, Louisiana native Lawrence Brooks is currently America's oldest known living World War II veteran. How Calvin Graham Fought In World War 2 At Just 12 Years Old. CNN . Lumby is one of the oldest living people in Canada and is believed to be the countrys oldest World War II veteran. / Allied planes fly over Japanese surrender ceremonies in 1945. marks the 75th anniversary of the death of the last American service member killed in combat in World War II. That honor belongs to Calvin Graham, who joined at age 12. Graham is the youngest U.S. serviceman to fight in World War II. 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. Year of birth: October 12, 1932 Of course there was some artistic freedoms so,. : Died June 13, 2011 Henry Gunther was a bank clerk from Baltimore, drafted the year before. 9 Largest Battles in History, Your email address will not be published. The Navy quickly jumped into action, stripping Graham of his medals and holding him in a military prison in Corpus Christi, Texas, for nearly three months. As a young man, Hermanns became an engineering apprentice and fell in love with aircraft. 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. He stayed in the United States until 2011, when he moved back home to Selce, Croatia. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance. Estimates of those killed vary from 35 million to 60 million. He received a trophy Browning Pistol as a souvenir from his military commander, General Vasily Chuikov of the 62nd Army. Lumby became a tank commander with the Lord Elgin Regiment during World War II. Noone enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in 1943 at the age of 44 years old. Calvin Leon Graham Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 - November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II.Calvin Graham. Only a small number of people survived the war. LawrenceBrooks, who was pictured holding a photo of himself as a soldier in 1943, died at the age of 112. Graham was most worried that the dentist, who checked the teeth of all recruits and would undoubtedly be able to tell his age, would call his bluff. Reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs say about 240,300 World War II veterans are still alive in 2021. However, when Jimmy Carter was elected in 1976, something changed. Soon he was reduced to a life of selling magazine subscriptions after breaking his back while enlisted in the Marine Corps. In December 2020, Margaret Reed became one of the oldest people in the world to receive the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. 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. The soldiers were paid at Pay Parades held within their own units. Required fields are marked *. He saved his fellow soldiers by using his body to cover two grenades that were thrown into their trenches by Japanese soldiers. He supported himself by selling newspapers and delivering telegrams. At 16, one could join with a parents consent, but 17 was still preferred. : Yes Estimates of the total number of people killed during World War II have ranged from 35,000,000 to 60,000,000a significant span, because statistics about the wars casualties are inexact. The following year, President Jimmy Carter approved the converted discharge and restored all his medals but the Purple Heart. Check out member benefits and perks . They also may be restricted in sharing specific names and birth dates of individuals for reasons of privacy. The Navy responded by taking away Calvins medals and issuing him a dishonorable discharge, but not before subjecting him to three brutal months in the brig. He served in the Army, the Army Air Forces, and he was there for the beginning of the U.S. Air Force. Military Branch: U.S. Army No one under the age of seventeen legally joined the armed forces of the United States during World War Two. Having lost his father before the war along with the rest of his family, he was left an orphan at a very young age. While the media and others have kept track of the oldest living service person from WWII, I don't know if there is anyway to find out who the youngest living veteran is. The National Archives does not have information about former service personnel on file. Lawrence Brooks is currently the oldest living American World War II veteran at over 111 years old. Graham wrote to the White House about his experience, hoping the fellow Navy man would sympathize with his plight. Finally, in 1978, Graham got his wish. There is no record of their underage service. He departed this earthly home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, . Previous Occupation(s): Aircraft Engineer. The Department of Veterans Affairs says that 7.2 million people are living today. A movie, Too Young the Hero, was created in his honor. Marchand had been into cycling his entire life, but as a young man he was told by his coach that he would never make it professionally. But Bob Kelso didn't grow up wealthy. "I went into this house, 3 or 4 of us. Corbin got married to her late-husband John in the 1940s, and the couple traveled the world together before he passed away in 1970. Carton de Wiart served in the Boer War, World War One and World War Two. Every day, memories of World War IIits sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphsdisappear. , and there is no guarantee that their information is complete and current for all veterans as they are only involved in providing services to veterans and their survivors that apply for them rather than actively tracking all veterans throughout their lives. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a huge sense of pride. It aged me.. List of the 4 Youngest Vietnam Veterans About 70 million people fought in World War II between 1939 and 1945 and, as of 2022 [update] , there are still approximately 167,000 living veterans in the United States alone. After only three weeks of Boot Camp, Calvin got trained as an anti-aircraft gunner and was assigned to the battleship USS South Dakota. The Divisional Field Cash Office also receives cash from the Army Post Office, N.A.A.F.I., Y.M.C.A., canteens, officers shops and from individual units. Zech was once a Prisoner of War, but was released in 1947. According to the National World War II Museum, there were roughly 16 million Americans who served in the military during World War II. At the age of 17, Graham enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. There are more than 200,000 World War II veterans who are still alive today. I am author of a historical novel set in the 1965 era in a fictional southwestern NM town near the borders of El Paso and Juarez; the Sheriff, born in 1921 served in WWII - Guadacanal, Okinawa, Pelieu, etc. I took belts off the dead and made tourniquets for the living and gave them cigarettes and encouraged them all night, Graham was later quoted as saying in Smithsonian Magazine. Instead of finishing grade school, Calvin got a job in a shipyard and got married. Reginald Hamilton Earnshaw joined the British Merchant Navy by stating that he was born in 1926 rather than 1927, which would have made him 15 (the age of enlistment at the time) rather than his true age, 14 years old. Take one glance at the congressional, The United States congress was established by the new Constitution and founded on March 4, 1789. Franciszek Honiok (1896 ) was a Polish man who is famous for having been the first victim of World War II, on the evening of . According to the National World War II Museum, the oldest known American veteran of World War II passed away early Wednesday morning. While some children were forced into war after being trained for just one day, others joined voluntarily to aid in the fight against Hitler and the Nazis. On Defence247gr.com, you'll find in-depth articles and updates on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other Armed Forces. She wrote to newspapers about how the Navy had imprisoned her brother, a baby vet. Due to the bad press, he was eventually released, though denied his honorable discharge. [2] Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12. He didn't make it overseas before the war ended. According to the National World War II Museum, the oldest known American veteran of World War II passed away early Wednesday morning. He fell through three stories of the ship. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Corbins father had been imprisoned for having a crystal radio hidden at his home. During battle, he was hit by a shrapnel, and even though he suffered from fragmentation wounds, he still helped wounded soldiers aboard their warship. Lucas forged his mothers signature to enlist in the army. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12. During his incarceration, he managed to send a message to his sister. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Mollie Walker just celebrated her 112th birthday, making her the oldest living World War II veteran in the world. Who is the oldest ww2 veteran Still Alive 2022? Soldier Boy (Russian: , romanized: Soldatik) is a 2019 Russian-language film. Navy Veteran Calvin Leon Graham became the youngest World War II soldier at the age of 12, and the youngest recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Country of Origin: Amiens, Hauts-de-France, France 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. Due to the number of blows received, the Japanese navy believed they had sunk the USS South Dakota and retreated, leaving the American ship to quietly make the long return to port in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. After finishing 7th grade in 1944 he signed up for the draft, claiming to be 18. He is a WWII, Korean, and Vietnam was veteran. He joined the Army at age 15 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge at age 16. Country of Origin: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (but has lived in New Zealand since he was a child) He hated Hitler, he said, because Fuhrer reminded him of his stepfather. He then worked in a Houston shipyard as a welder after dropping out of school. Calvin Graham, the Youngest American to Serve in World War II 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. I've highlighted Harry's age for a reason: do the math. Under a barrage of fire, the South Dakota received 42 enemy hits. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Brooks received his draft notice when he was 31 years old and ended up joining the U.S. Army. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12. Military Branch: Australian Army How Do You Clean Cows Udder Before Milking? Country of Origin: Goldenau, Upper Silesia, Germany. YoutubeCalvin Graham onboard a Navy vessel. From tactics to technology, I cover it all. Finally, read up Desmond Doss and the real-life story of Hacksaw Ridge. Scout dogs led troops through enemy territory, exposing ambushes and saving the lives of platoons of men. She remained in the Army for 33 months, serving as a clerical worker. The youngest World War II vet is at the age of six. Country of Origin: Cadoxton, Glamorgan, Wales, UK He was discovered by the 142nd Guards Rifle Regiment, wandering in the forest in a state of shock and malnourishment. Country of Origin: Dewsbury, United Kingdom. The number of World War II veterans who were actively enroll in the fiscal year that ended in March of this year has gone down. His case was similar to that of Jack W. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2021 Oldest.org | Terms | Privacy | Contact | Facebook, Dont let anyone tell you that a dentist is not a doctor! After World War II and the Channel Islands were liberated from German control, Pat Corbin and her brother were reunited with their parents who they hadnt seen for six years. "Meet the youngest surviving WWII veteran", "The Boy Who Became A World War II Veteran at 13 Years Old", "Decades later, military veterans admit being underage when they enlisted", "Statement on Signing a Bill for the Relief of Calvin L. Graham", Comptroller General of the United States: Matter of Calvin L. Graham, "Badge of Honor: America's child soldiers reflect on service, seek fellow veterans". Mollie Walker loved cars and driving and continued to drive until she was 103. The dentist moved Calvin along. Graham was born in Canton, Texas, and was attending elementary school in Houston before he decided to join the Navy, after his father had died and his mother had remarried.[4]. 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. Kabance is also the oldest member of the the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and one of the few remaining Native American veterans from World War II. In the US over 16 million men served during WWII, so they are likely still quite a number still alive. Walker was also Secretary of the local Conservative Association and a founder member of the Friends of Kingwood. 10 Longest Wars in United States History, Your email address will not be published. Not much is known about Marchands time in the French military during World War II, but he was a prisoner-of-war. Although I am, with 85 years on the planet, currently finishing up my write of the sequel, with one character who served in Vietnam, two others in Korea; so am grateful for this site that gives me a bit more information, and glad to find that a few WWII are still with us. Walker is the second-oldest living person who was born in Wales, after Lilian Priest.

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