His case was similar to that of Jack W. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. So, there he was, on April 1, 1943, a wounded war veteran without disability benefits still not yet a teenager. Data journalist covering technological, societal and media topics, Estimated number of living U.S. WWII veterans up. LawrenceBrooks was the oldest surviving World War II veteran until he died in January of 2022. Gluten, Dairy, Sugar Free Recipes, Interviews and Health Articles . Some of the places the Corbins visited were South Africa and Canada. I took belts off the dead and made tourniquets for the living and gave them cigarettes and encouraged them all night, he later said. Example video title will go here for this video. Country of Origin: Plymouth, North Carolina, USA. . His story is like something out of a Boys Own comic. [email protected]. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a huge sense of pride. His motives weren't purely patriotic! 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. The business lasted until the 1990s when Hill decided to retire. 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 Veterans of Underage Military Service. Year of birth: 1926 Still Living? 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. However, when Jimmy Carter was elected in 1976, something changed. Krul is currently living with his nephew, the son of his sister who lived to be 102. SAN ANTONIO On this Veterans Day we are honoring the youngest living World War II veteran. During that time, Graham worked several jobs to stay financially afloat and rarely saw his mother. Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. *Click below to enlarge (charted byStatista). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Tom Lumby has numerous hobbies that keep him active, including reading, gardening, painting photography, ham radios, and tinkering with things. M-Tac Ace of Spades Embroidered Patch Death Card Tactical Morale. [3][5][7] The South Dakota's gunnery officer who was involved in handling his case was Sargent Shriver. Current Age (as of February 2021): 110 years, 9 months, 23 days His case was similar to that of Jack W. Hill, who was granted significant media attention due to holding service number one million . Still Living? Corbins father had been imprisoned for having a crystal radio hidden at his home. Krul arrived in Galveston, Texas not long after World War II started, and he enlisted in the United States Army. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance. By the end of Lawrence Brooks military service, he achieved the rank of Private 1st Class. [3], Graham's Purple Heart was finally reinstated, and presented to his widow, Mary, on June 21, 1994, by Secretary of the Navy John Dalton in Arlington, Texas, nearly two years after his death from heart failure. SAN ANTONIO On this Veteran's . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He joined the Deutsches Jungvolk (German Youngsters in the Hitler Youth). He received only $2,100 of the possible $18,000. He was discovered by the 142nd Guards Rifle Regiment, wandering in the forest in a state of shock and malnourishment. He has received awards like the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I didnt do any complaining because half the ship was dead.. At six feet tall, no one questioned his age. Man shot twice in the head near downtown; King William Fair plagued with payment problems | KENS 5 News Now, David Robinson snags a foul ball at San Antonio Missions game, Next chance for rain on Thursday | FORECAST, Viewers send photos, videos of hail and lightning as severe thunderstorms roll through San Antonio, K9s for Warriors: Veteran and service dog share unbreakable bond, K9s for Warriors: Saving two lives at once, No, Veterans Day does not honor active-duty service members. 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 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. His mother complained to the Navy about recruiting a 12-year-old. Mollie Walker loved cars and driving and continued to drive until she was 103. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. The current policies permit tattoos almost anywhere on the body except for on the head and face. Before he could be shipped to the Pacific, the Army found out the now Purple Heart recipient was only 14 years old. It aged me . A few years later, Hills mother lent him $50 to open a shoe store after friend told him, There are enough doctors and lawyers. Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!The National Archives does not have information about former service personnel on file. Born in 1930 to Oklahoma farmers, his parents divorced and Kelso grew up bouncing between his parents and foster homes. Instead of finishing grade school, Calvin got a job in a shipyard and got married. As a young man, Hermanns became an engineering apprentice and fell in love with aircraft. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. World War II veteran Jack Bartlett is 99 years old and hasn't missed an Anzac Day march in more than 60 years. How many ww2 veterans are still alive 2020? While the armed forces have content prohibitions for tattoos, the policies have evolved and become less restrictive regarding size and location. He joined the war at 17 years old. What is age of the youngest surviving WWII veteran? Kelso didn't have much time to enjoy that beer. : Died June 13, 2011 When the dentist attempted to call him out for his age, Graham told him that he knew for a fact that the boys ahead of him were underage and had been let through anyway. 504-528-1944, Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy. 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. How Calvin Graham Fought In World War 2 At Just 12 Years Old. Although the Marine Corps had not done a background check on him, they came to learn his true age through his family. 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. He then worked in a Houston shipyard as a welder after dropping out of school. He was sent into battle and wounded - one of the youngest Americans ever to receive the Purple Heart. Immediately after his release, he trekked 250 miles back home, only to find his father dead. Country of Origin: Harris, Saskatchewan, Canada 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. They also may be restricted in sharing specific names and birth dates of individuals for reasons of privacy. Current Age (as of February 2021): 111 years, 5 months Lumby is one of the oldest living people in Canada and is believed to be the countrys oldest World War II veteran. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He is still alive and is 91 I believe. They have predicted that as of 2022, there . After the War ended, Lumby worked with so-called Allied Control Commission that ran post-war Germany. Lucas is the youngest U.S. Marine and serviceman in World War II to receive the United States highest declaration of valor. The vessel would become famous for its aggressive Captain Thomas Gatch and relatively young and inexperienced crew. In 2009, Earnshaws resting place was marked with a granite headstone by the Commonwealth Graves Commission. LawrenceBrooks, who was pictured holding a photo of himself as a soldier in 1943, died at the age of 112. Reed used to grow primroses that would be sent to the London Flower Markets to sell. Military Branch: Unspecified He was only 12 years old at the time. : Died June 5, 2008 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. He was released after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers. Best of luck with your research! Alfred Zech showed courage from a very young age. At 52 and 125 pounds, Calvin didnt look anything close to enlistment age. He served in the Army, the Army Air Forces, and he was there for the beginning of the U.S. Air Force. He saved his fellow soldiers by using his body to cover two grenades that were thrown into their trenches by Japanese soldiers. Kabance joined the U.S. Army on 17 March 1943, and became part of the Womens Army Corps. Since 2015, Reed has been living in a care home in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England. Calvin Graham was born in 1930, in East Texas. Other than some hearing loss and eye degeneration, Hermanns is very healthy. In buildings across San Antonio you will see the names Bob Kelso and his late wife Betty. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Check out member benefits and perks . 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. Military Branch: Womens Army Corps Hill lived independently with his wife until he turned 100, before deciding to move in with his daughter Hills wife is also still alive and the couple has been married for 80 years. I think, Calvin Leon Graham is the youngest WWII veteran who died November 6, 1992 at the age of 62. 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. SAN ANTONIO On this Veteran's Day we are honoring the youngest living World War II veteran. Unfortunately, the figures could well be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. Current Age (as of February 2021): 109 years, 2 months, 20 days When Calvin Graham was 11 years old, he began shaving, convinced it would make him look older than he was. Today, Hermanns still lives independently, but has carers who stop by and check in on him. Reluctant to fight with the young man, the dentist let Calvin Graham pass. He is a member of the Veterans of Underage Military Service, being only 15 or so when he enlisted in the U.S.Army. Anthony Marchione was the last American killed in combat during World War II. 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. Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last known living American veteran of World War I, died on Sunday, February 27, three weeks after celebrating his 110th birthday. Still Living? At 110 years of age, Julia Kabance is the oldest living female American World War II veteran and the second oldest American vet after Lawrence Brooks. Current Age (as of February 2021): c. 109 years, 3 months, 8 days 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. 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. He served in the Army, the Army Air Forces, and he was there for the beginning of the U.S. Air Force. How many ww1 survivors are left? 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. : Died November 6, 1992 Calvin Graham, the Youngest American to Serve in World War II. 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. The battleship would soon achieve legendary status in the Navy. There is no definitive answer to this question as the number of WW1 survivors varies depending on the source. Anyone who served under the United States flag was eighteen, seventeen with parental consent. His real age was discovered when a former shipmate was looking for his grave, which was unmarked. 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. When questioned by Stuff this week on the remaining numbers of veterans from WWII still alive, a spokesman for NZDF said 1039 people were registered with Veterans . At age 17 he was divorced when he enlisted in the Marine Corps.[6]. 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. But then a dentist took a look in his mouth and saw baby teeth. 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. Current Age (as of February 2021): 110 years, 1 month, 24 days According to the VA, they are generally in their 90s. Since Ezra Hills shoe store was located in Baltimore, during the Civil Rights era, many prominent figures such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Muhammad Ali stopped into his store. During the War, Krul participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He later moved to Canada where he became a gardener and wine dealer. It was a long night. Also aged 110, Louisiana native Lawrence Brooks is currently America's oldest known living World War II veteran. Country of Origin: Warsaw, Poland. Whether working as porters or messengers, or giving their lives on the frontline, there were numerous young men involved in World War II. Mr. John Tosh, the Director of the Texas Air Museum in San Antonio, Texas, is 87 and still going strong. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. His mother had previously been deported to Treblinka. In December 2020, Margaret Reed became one of the oldest people in the world to receive the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Military Branch: 62ND Red Army Regiment They were called green boys a nickname Graham certainly qualified for. And he wasnt. Ricky Schroder plays Graham in the movie Too Young the Hero. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Having lost his father before the war along with the rest of his family, he was left an orphan at a very young age. Kopelman forged travel papers to Italy, and later boarded an illegal ship to Israel to see his remaining family. Three weeks later, the South Dakota joined the four-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal where it fought in ramming range with eight Japanese destroyers. He received the Iron Cross 2nd Class award for his service from Adolf Hitler. 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. He received a trophy Browning Pistol as a souvenir from his military commander, General Vasily Chuikov of the 62nd Army. 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. 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 in fact, only 13 years old. Tom Lumby is an unverified supercentenarian and is the only veteran on this list who has not been personally interviewed by his local news. However, though one might think that forging his mothers signature would be the most challenging part of his scheme, theyd be wrong. Upon the ships arrival, the crew was awarded for their bravery. A World War II veteran participates in a Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2019, in New York City. Calvin passed the medical doctors examination without a hitch. Josip Krul is currently the oldest living person in Croatia, but he is an American World War II veteran. [6][4] At age 14 he married and became a father the following year. He went on to fight in Korea and SGM Special Forces Vietnam. Margaret Reed is just a few months shy of her 111th birthday and is currently the oldest living person born in Ireland. Starting as a first class Private for the Marine Corps, he went on to reach the rank of Captain for the U.S. Army. (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. Zech was once a Prisoner of War, but was released in 1947. Although he had tried to return to his ship, he was discharged from the Navy on April 1, 1943, and his awards were revoked. Calvins ship took an enormous beating with major damage, 40 killed, and 180 wounded, including Calvin. 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. At six feet tall, no one questioned his age. LawrenceBrooks, who was pictured holding a photo of himself as a soldier in 1943, died at the age of 112. 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. He lives in Anchorage AK . Country of Origin: Cadoxton, Glamorgan, Wales, UK Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Country of Origin: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (but has lived in New Zealand since he was a child) Country of Origin: Jersey, Channel Islands, UK When Calvin Graham was 11 years old, he began shaving, convinced it would make him look older than he was. 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. How many WWII veterans are still alive 2021? Military Branch: United States Navy, United States Marine Corps Military Branch: Royal New Zealand Air Force Pat Corbin, a native of the Channel Islands, is currently 109 and will be celebrating her 110th birthday on St. Patricks Day. "They killed one of our guys," Kelso said. On the night of November 1415, 1942, Graham was wounded during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. He got his GED, then went to college, then signed up to serve again. They also may be restricted in sharing specific names and birth dates of individuals for reasons of privacy. : Died in 1990 He also practiced speaking in a deep voice, pretending to talk like a man. 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. But he wasnt the youngest to serve. According to the National World War II Museum, there were roughly 16 million Americans who served in the military during World War II. YoutubeCalvin Graham onboard a Navy vessel. 10 Longest Wars in United States History, Your email address will not be published. Gertrude Noone is the second oldest female World War II veteran ever. Finally, read up Desmond Doss and the real-life story of Hacksaw Ridge. 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. 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. He has detailed his experiences in the Malaysian Jungle, the Sandakan in his book, co-authored with historian Lynette Silver. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. He became a father at 15 and divorced at 17. Year of birth: October 12, 1932 If you want a "Hollywood" version of Calvin Graham's story, there was a move made about it. Carton de Wiart served in the Boer War, World War One and World War Two.
