But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This governmental body includes. 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. After only three weeks of Boot Camp, Calvin got trained as an anti-aircraft gunner and was assigned to the battleship USS South Dakota. According to the VA, they are in their 90s, and about 245 die each day. The battleship would soon achieve legendary status in the Navy. He was married at the age of 14, became a father at 15, and divorced at 17. Through some cunning lies, Calvin Graham is the youngest confirmed soldier to serve in World War II. It does not store any personal data. Seryozha Aleshkov is the youngest World War II vet at the age of 6 years old. 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. 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. He saved his fellow soldiers by using his body to cover two grenades that were thrown into their trenches by Japanese soldiers. All men between the ages of 21 and 45 years old were required to register for the draft in 1940. Home | All Posts | Who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive? Over the years, Marchand would return to the sport, and eventually set several records in his old age. Currently, Walker lives in Kingwood, Oxfordshire, England. Previous Occupation(s): Fork lift operator and several odd jobs. JFFCESTORE Molle Web Retainer Buckle Tactical Gear Holder Clip, [DEAL!] Country of Origin: Loughgilly, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, UK 8 Youngest Veterans of World War II - Oldest.org After Odile Washington passed away over the summer of 2020, Brooks became the oldest living person in Louisiana. At six feet tall, no one questioned his age. 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. Still Living? Having lost his father before the war along with the rest of his family, he was left an orphan at a very young age. What happens if you get a tattoo in the Army? 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]. They are dying quicklyaccording to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II arealive in 2022. Country of Origin: Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation, Jackson County, Kansas, USA Country of Origin: Canton, Texas, USA. He was in fact, only 13 years old. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive? - Defence247GR He passed away at the age of 112. Yeah, Calvin responded, but those guys ahead of me were only 14, and you passed them. Currently, Corbin is the oldest resident across RMBI (Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution) Care Co.s system. Military Branch: British Merchant Navy Calvin Leo Graham joined the United States Navy at the age of 12. TBG Daypack Mini Tactical Diaper Bag Backpack Small for Women, [DEAL!] They guarded posts and supplies, carried messages, and rescued downed pilots. Country of Origin: Gryn, Kaluga Region, Russia. His mother had previously been deported to Treblinka. Year of birth: 1926 And his story is one of the saddest youll ever hear. 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. At six feet tall, no one questioned his age. 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. That raises a sad and depressing question: when will America lose its last World War II veterans? How many World War II vets are still alive? The business lasted until the 1990s when Hill decided to retire. On , the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft. 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. His real age was discovered when a former shipmate was looking for his grave, which was unmarked. How many WWII veterans are still alive 2022? - Defence247GR While the minimum age for conscription was 18, 17 year olds could sometimes volunteer with parental consent. 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. Year of birth: February 5, 1927 Hill enlisted twice to the U.S. Marine Corps, and was a corporal for his second enlistment. He is a WWII, Korean, and Vietnam was veteran. 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. Current Age (as of February 2021): 109 years, 2 months, 20 days He was left an orphan at a young age after his father died in the war. Military Branch: United States Navy, United States Marine Corps Lawrence Brooks is currently the oldest living American World War II veteran at over 111 years old. (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. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance. After the War, Kabance moved home to take care of her elderly mother until she passed away. Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!The National Archives does not have information about former service personnel on file. The following year, President Jimmy Carter approved the converted discharge and restored all his medals but the Purple Heart. He was discovered by the 142 nd Guards Rifle Regiment, wandering in the forest in a state of shock and malnourishment. Become a member of the Veterans Breakfast Club for only $36/year! So many wars have been fought in recorded history, In 1916, Jeannette Rankin made history when she became the first woman to hold federal office in the United States., The President of the United States is widely considered one of the most powerful people in the world, but as, The House of Representatives serves as the lower House to the United States Congress. Hed heard about a discharge program for deserters and felt he deserved an honorable discharge more than they did. Corbin got married to her late-husband John in the 1940s, and the couple traveled the world together before he passed away in 1970. During his incarceration, he managed to send a message to his sister. In the US over 16 million men served during WWII, so they are likely still quite a number still alive. He fell through three stories of the ship. He went on to fight in Korea and SGM Special Forces Vietnam. But Bob Kelso didn't grow up wealthy. Year of birth: February 14, 1928 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. [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. Claude Choules, who served in the British Royal Navy and later the Royal Australian Navy, died at the age of 112. With the dwindling population of WW2 veterans, he asked me to research if he was the youngest veteran alive today. 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. [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. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In December 2020, Margaret Reed became one of the oldest people in the world to receive the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. He served in the Army, the Army Air Forces, and he was there for the beginning of the U.S. Air Force. Military Branch: Royal New Zealand Air Force . Graham is the youngest U.S. serviceman to fight in World War II. When Calvin Graham was 11 years old, he began shaving, convinced it would make him look older than he was. 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. Honoring Calvin Graham: The Youngest American WWII Veteran Military Branch: Canadian Armed Forces (unspecified which branch) He broke his back in a freak accident, and was back selling magazine subscriptions as a civilian. On November 11th, there is a public day of mourning for soldiers and civilians who have died in war. Immediately after his release, he trekked 250 miles back home, only to find his father dead. America lost its final veteran of the First World War just under a decade ago. Current Age (as of February 2021): 110 years, 9 months, 23 days 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. Now 92 years old, the boyish looks may be a distant memory. During that time, Graham worked several jobs to stay financially afloat and rarely saw his mother. The current policies permit tattoos almost anywhere on the body except for on the head and face. He was in fact, only 13 years old. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Back in 2015, 939,000 U.S. WWII veterans were still alive and the number of stories and memories being lost daily is accelerating. Of course there was some artistic freedoms so,. "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." He had recently moved into a boarding house with his brother, escaping an abusive father and crowded family home. The youngest World War II vet is at the age of six. That honor belongs to Calvin Graham, who joined at age 12. He was captured by the Nazis in Germany, but avoided going to the Treblinka with the other soldiers by claiming that he was a mechanic. For years after his release, Calvin Graham suffered. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a huge sense of pride. When Did The Last Ww2 Vet Die? - Thelma Thinks The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". PDF Sobering Statistics Concerning Vietnam Vets As of April 2016 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. So, he practiced shaving his pre-pubescent face in the hope it would give him some stubble and tried to deepen his voice, which hadnt yet cracked. 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. The Department of Veteran Affairs . Anthony Marchione was the last American killed in combat during World War II. LawrenceBrooks, who was pictured holding a photo of himself as a soldier in 1943, died at the age of 112. The oldest known living US World War II veteran died Wednesday at 112, the National WWII Museum said. He also practiced speaking in a deep voice, pretending to talk like a man. Krul is currently living with his nephew, the son of his sister who lived to be 102. WWII: projected number of living U.S. veterans 2036 | Statista It shows that their ranks will . Kelso didn't have much time to enjoy that beer. Ran off joined the Navy and at 16 with a purple heart was discovered again while on a destroyer and sent home. 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. 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. At the age of eight, Momilo Gavri joined the Serbian army. 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. As the War continued, Walker was involved with the Food Flying Squad whose convoys of trucks took food and water to disaster areas. I am author of a historical novel RIDE THE WILD WIND, 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. In October, he steamed out as part of a task force with the carrier USS Enterprise to engage the enemy at Guadalcanal. 10 Oldest World War II Veterans (Updated 2020) - Oldest.org I have done a little research and found out who the youngest that served were, but no information about who is still alive. It is based on the real-life story of the youngest soldier in World War II, Sergei Aleshkov, who was only 6 years old. 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. Kelso almost died as well. Upon the ships arrival, the crew was awarded for their bravery. His mother complained to the Navy about recruiting a 12-year-old. When Will America's Last World War II Veterans Pass Away - Forbes The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". World War II was the most destructive war in history. So, there he was, on April 1, 1943, a wounded war veteran without disability benefits still not yet a teenager. CNN . Who is the oldest living ww2 veteran? Military Branch: US Marine Corps, US Army Sergei rose in the ranks, and became a junior lieutenant in his army. At one point during the journey, a lone German aircraft approached the ship. Current Age (as of February 2021): 109 years, 10 months, 29 days Projected number of living U.S. WWII veterans until 2036. She remained in the Army for 33 months, serving as a clerical worker. The book is entitled Billy: My Life as a Teenage POW. During enlistment for the war, young boys had to be at least 17 to join. Read on to learn more about the youngest soldiers to render their service to obtain freedom. Two years later, the Navy reinstated Calvins Purple Heart. Lawrence Nathaniel Honey Brooks, the oldest known US WWII veteran at age 112, was born on , in Norwood, LA. He was quickly drafted and shipped overseas - assigned to 342nd Armored Field Artillery battalion. Year of birth: 1936 When Calvin Graham was 11 years old, he began shaving, convinced it would make him look older than he was. His efforts got nowhere until 1977, when US Senators Lloyd Bentsen and John Tower took up the cause. 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. Josip Krul is currently the oldest living person in Croatia, but he is an American World War II veteran. After living in the United States for most of his adult life, Josip Krul ended up moving back into the house he was born in, in his hometown of Selce, Croatia. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. List of the 4 Youngest Vietnam Veterans These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But in the battle tested eyes of America's youngest ever World War II hero, the fight is still there! What was the youngest soldier ever? Although Hermanns was born in Canada, his family moved to New Zealand when he was a toddler and Hermanns has remained in the country since then. He served with the predominantly African-American 91st Engineers Battalion in the Pacific Theater between 1941 and 1945. Country of Origin: Norwood, Louisiana, USA M-Tac Ace of Spades Embroidered Patch Death Card Tactical Morale. Tom Lumby is an unverified supercentenarian and is the only veteran on this list who has not been personally interviewed by his local news. He didn't make it overseas before the war ended. Despite the fall and his pressing injuries, Graham got up and continued to pull fellow sailors to safety and sit with them during the night. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Calvin made the decision to enlist in the military. : Died June 13, 2011 How many ww2 veterans are still alive? - thehealthyjournal.com , 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. Data journalist covering technological, societal and media topics, Estimated number of living U.S. WWII veterans up. 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. The youngest World War II vet is Michael, who is just over 10 years old. [6][4] At age 14 he married and became a father the following year. 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. Pat joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the womens branch of the British Army during World War II. 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. In the fall of Hitlers Third Reich, Germany did not observe Veterans Day. The kids reported a fire on an upper floor and grabbed the stamp when the hotel manager rushed upstairs. He didn't make it overseas before the war ended. Calvin was one of seven children in a poor East Texas family headed by an abusive stepfather. He supported himself by selling newspapers and delivering telegrams. Previous Occupation(s): Unspecified. Previous Occupation(s): Professional Cyclist and various odd jobs. On , the British cruiser HMS Dido was en route to Copenhagen Denmark. 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. Finally, read up Desmond Doss and the real-life story of Hacksaw Ridge. In 1978, he was finally given an honorable discharge for his service in the Navy, and after writing to Congress and with the approval of President Jimmy Carter, all medals except his Purple Heart were reinstated. World War II veteran Jack Bartlett is 99 years old and hasn't missed an Anzac Day march in more than 60 years. At 16, one could join with a parents consent, but 17 was still preferred. In regards to those that enlisted fraudulently at the age of 16 or below, one organization that may be able to assist you is the, Joshua Pollarine of Historical Research Associates, Inc, Children at War: Underage Americans Illegally Fighting the Second. He became a father at 15 and divorced at 17. Previous Occupation(s): Head of HR for Canadian National Railway (CN). Of course there was some artistic freedoms so, please don't quote the movie as historical fact. He also practiced speaking in a deep voice, pretending to talk like a man. LawrenceBrooks was the oldest surviving World War II veteran until he died in January of 2022. Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 - November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. Before he could be shipped to the Pacific, the Army found out the now Purple Heart recipient was only 14 years old. The projections for each year are updated on September 30. He, too, lied about his age in order to serve his country. As of 2021, there were over 200,000 living United States veterans who served in the Second World War. The graph below uses statistics from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to emphasize the urgency of our mission. His face and arm wounds from 1942 started giving him trouble as he aged, so he sought to win an honorable discharge for his WWII service. Three weeks later, the South Dakota joined the four-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal where it fought in ramming range with eight Japanese destroyers. Take one glance at the congressional, The United States congress was established by the new Constitution and founded on March 4, 1789. The last veteran to serve in the trenches was Harry Patch, who passed away at the age of 112. By the end of the War, Corbin had achieved the rank of lieutenant. He died only five months into the service. Could You Pass This Voting Literacy Test Designed To Disenfranchise African Americans? She often taught other people how to drive. Graham's decorations and military awards, as finally settled circa 1994 after intervention by Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton: Calvin Graham at findagrave "You had to be a certain age to buy beer," Kelso said with a laugh. In 1948, he got drafted and decided to join the Marine Corps. tommy.livingston@stuff.co.nz. 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. Still Living? She had seen him on a news special and quickly informed them that their newest decorated veteran was, in fact, barely a teenager. Lumby became a tank commander with the Lord Elgin Regiment during World War II. *Click below to enlarge (charted byStatista). Year of birth: April 6, 1924 Billy Young joined the Australian Army as a 15-year-old under the pretense of being 19 years of age. Calvins ship took an enormous beating with major damage, 40 killed, and 180 wounded, including Calvin. Despite the stress, however, Calvin Graham persevered and made it onto the USS South Dakota, a warship working alongside the USS Enterprise in the Pacific. After the War ended, Lumby worked with so-called Allied Control Commission that ran post-war Germany. According to reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than two hundred thousand World War II veterans are still alive. Does anyone know how I can go about finding this information? [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. However, though one might think that forging his mothers signature would be the most challenging part of his scheme, theyd be wrong. Mr. John Tosh, the Director of the Texas Air Museum in San Antonio, Texas, is 87 and still going strong. Nine million members of the armed forces served during a 20 year period from 1955 to 1975, and it took a toll on them. 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. He was released after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers. Though his behavior wasnt entirely unusual for a young child wanting to be a grown-up, his motives were decidedly unique. 8 Youngest Medal of Honor Recipients in History 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. 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. "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". At the moment the bells struck and the guns went silent, a body fell in a French village. He is still alive and is 91 I believe. Jack Warner Hill joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 16, but lied that he was of eligible age. Jacklyn Jack Harold Lucas is one of the most selfless soldiers in American history. However, the Army can lift some restrictions based on the need for certain roles to be filled. But - he was only 13. Reluctant to fight with the young man, the dentist let Calvin Graham pass.
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