Hill fought in two wars: World War II and the Korean War, and received two medals for his service. 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. At the moment the bells struck and the guns went silent, a body fell in a French village. Earnshaw was the youngest British soldier to die in World War II at age 14. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. 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. Previous Occupation(s): Waiter, dish washer, and telegraphist. Required fields are marked *. 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. He holds the number 1,000,000 enlisted Marines. 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. 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. 10 Oldest World War II Veterans (Updated 2020) How Calvin Graham Fought In World War 2 At Just 12 Years Old. Corbins father had been imprisoned for having a crystal radio hidden at his home. *Click below to enlarge (charted byStatista). The South Dakota left Pearl Harbor on October 16. Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!The National Archives does not have information about former service personnel on file. 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. Also aged 110, Louisiana native Lawrence Brooks is currently America's oldest known living World War II veteran. Calvin Leo Graham joined the United States Navy at the age of 12. At one point during the journey, a lone German aircraft approached the ship. Military Branch: 62ND Red Army Regiment On November 11th, there is a public day of mourning for soldiers and civilians who have died in war. 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. Yes, World War II veterans are still alive, although many were well into their 90s or 100s before their passing. He spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Vietnam. Military Branch: Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), part of the British Army Zech was once a Prisoner of War, but was released in 1947. How many ww1 survivors are left? Seryozha Aleshkov is the youngest World War II vet at the age of 6 years old. Could You Pass This Voting Literacy Test Designed To Disenfranchise African Americans? As a young man, Hermanns became an engineering apprentice and fell in love with aircraft. Military Branch: United States Marine Corps Lawrence Brooks is currently the oldest living American World War II veteran at over 111 years old. He passed away at the age of 112. During that time, Graham worked several jobs to stay financially afloat and rarely saw his mother. He supported himself by selling newspapers and delivering telegrams. Referred to as the most destructive conflict in history, World War II saw the demise of more than 80 million people, most of whom were civilians. This governmental body includes. When World War II ended, Krul moved to California, where he worked with Western Union for several decades. Calvin passed the medical doctors examination without a hitch. 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. But then a dentist took a look in his mouth and saw baby teeth. America lost its final veteran of the First World War just under a decade ago. Calvin Graham received a Purple Heart for his injuries and a Bronze Star for distinguished combat. According to the VA, they are in their 90s, and about 245 die each day. He served as a loader for a 40 mm anti-aircraft gun and was hit by shrapnel while taking a hand message to an officer. (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 joined the Deutsches Jungvolk (German Youngsters in the Hitler Youth). 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. Finally, read up Desmond Doss and the real-life story of Hacksaw Ridge. Country of Origin: Cadoxton, Glamorgan, Wales, UK The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Following World War II, Walker worked with the Peppard Parish Council. 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. 5 Oldest Branches of the U.S. Military "They killed one of our guys," Kelso said. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. At 16, one could join with a parents consent, but 17 was still preferred. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive? Gertrude Noone is the second oldest female World War II veteran ever. Who is the youngest ww2 vet still alive? [5][6] Though he received fragmentation wounds, he helped in rescue duty by aiding and pulling the wounded aboard ship to safety. SAN ANTONIO On this Veteran's Day we are honoring the youngest living World War II veteran. After the War, Kabance moved home to take care of her elderly mother until she passed away. The youngest soldier ever was a 1-year-old boy who was born in Iraq in 2003. Four months into the action, Kelso and a couple of soldiers went looking for food in an area they thought was liberated. How Do You Clean Cows Udder Before Milking? Along with two of his friends, he forged his mothers signature on his enlistment papers and stole a notary stamp from a local hotel. Yet, along with his gunnery officer, one Sargent Shriver, Calvin began tending the worse off. The first and last five trips were some of the most dangerous. Current Age (as of February 2021): 110 years, 6 months, 2 days He joined the Army at age 15 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge at age 16. [5] He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, and he and his crewmates were awarded another Navy Unit Commendation. Only a small number of people survived the war. List of the 4 Youngest Vietnam Veterans These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. How many World War II vets are still alive? He then worked in a Houston shipyard as a welder after dropping out of school. 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. Some twenty thousand dogs served the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. While the minimum age for conscription was 18, 17 year olds could sometimes volunteer with parental consent. Country of Origin: Canton, Texas, USA. Pat Corbin, a native of the Channel Islands, is currently 109 and will be celebrating her 110th birthday on St. Patricks Day. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. He was in fact, only 13 years old. 75 years on from the end of the Second World War in Europe, approximately 325,000 of the 16 million Americans who served during the conflict are still alive on Memorial Day 2020. [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. Graham worked as a loader for an anti-aircraft gun. He became a father at 15 and divorced at 17. They have donated millions to local schools, museums and medical research. Kelso didn't have much time to enjoy that beer. 8 Youngest Medal of Honor Recipients in History, 10 Oldest World War II Veterans (Updated 2020), 10 Oldest Women Currently in Congress (Updated 2023), 6 Oldest Living Presidents in the United States (Updated 2022), 8 Youngest People in the House of Representatives, 8 of the Youngest US Congresswomen in History. Still Living? It aged me.. 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. Read on to learn more about the youngest soldiers to render their service to obtain freedom. He really shouldnt be old enough to have served in WWII. At the age of 17, Graham enlisted in the U.S. Marine 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. By the end of Lawrence Brooks military service, he achieved the rank of Private 1st Class. Country of Origin: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Starting as a first class Private for the Marine Corps, he went on to reach the rank of Captain for the U.S. Army. Does anyone know how I can go about finding this information? Current Age (as of February 2021): 112 years, 7 days Mikhail was buried under debris, and the young boy went to find help when he couldnt pull him out. He stayed in the United States until 2011, when he moved back home to Selce, Croatia. Still Living? LawrenceBrooks, who was pictured holding a photo of himself as a soldier in 1943, died at the age of 112. I didnt do any complaining because half the ship was dead.. 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. Though his behavior wasnt entirely unusual for a young child wanting to be a grown-up, his motives were decidedly unique. SAN ANTONIO On this Veteran's Day we are honoring the youngest living World War II veteran. 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. 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. With the dwindling population of WW2 veterans, he asked me to research if he was the youngest veteran alive today. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to fight in World War Two. However, though one might think that forging his mothers signature would be the most challenging part of his scheme, theyd be wrong. Josip Krul is currently the oldest living person in Croatia, but he is an American World War II veteran. Group Captain John Hemingway celebrated his 103rd birthday in July. Year of birth: February 14, 1928 Walker is the second-oldest living person who was born in Wales, after Lilian Priest. Help for civilians and veterans seeking information and military records, past and present. Military Branch: Royal New Zealand Air Force 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. He didn't make it overseas before the war ended. When he arrived at the enlistment office, he lined up behind two boys who he knew were only 14 and 15. According to the National World War II Museum, the oldest known American veteran of World War II passed away early Wednesday morning. "I didn't pay a lot of attention to it really," said Kelso. Graham was just 11 and in the sixth grade in Crockett . Lawrence Brooks is currently the oldest living American World War II veteran at over 111 years old. Some of the places the Corbins visited were South Africa and Canada. [3][5][7] The South Dakota's gunnery officer who was involved in handling his case was Sargent Shriver. He, too, lied about his age in order to serve his country. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He was only 12 years old at the time. During his incarceration, he managed to send a message to his sister. 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. Corbin got married to her late-husband John in the 1940s, and the couple traveled the world together before he passed away in 1970. It aged me . He saved his fellow soldiers by using his body to cover two grenades that were thrown into their trenches by Japanese soldiers. Three weeks later, the South Dakota joined the four-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal where it fought in ramming range with eight Japanese destroyers. And he wasn't. His case was similar to that of Jack W. Hill, who was granted significant media attention due to holding service number one million . Jacklyn Jack Harold Lucas is one of the most selfless soldiers in American history. Previous Occupation(s): Unspecified. Having lost his father before the war along with the rest of his family, he was left an orphan at a very young age. Check out member benefits and perks . Military Branch: Royal Air Force CNN . It wasnt until 1994 that it was officially re-awarded to his family two years after Calvin Graham had died. The Purple Heart, however, was the exception. When Calvin Graham was 11 years old, he began shaving, convinced it would make him look older than he was. [9][10] By this time, some of the doctors who treated him had died and many medical bills were lost. Mollie Walker loved cars and driving and continued to drive until she was 103. According to the National World War II Museum, there were roughly 16 million Americans who served in the military during World War II. The Soviet Union lost around 27 million people during the war, including 8.7 million military and 19 million civilians. But - he was only 13 years old. , 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. But he wasnt the youngest to serve. After she got married, Reed moved to Cornwall, England, where she and her husband owned a farm. Being a World War II veteran is a distinguished honor and everyone on this list has continually been celebrated for their service. 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. Previous Occupation(s): Aircraft Engineer. His case was similar to that of Jack W. He served in the Army, the Army Air Forces, and he was there for the beginning of the U.S. Air Force. Kopelman forged travel papers to Italy, and later boarded an illegal ship to Israel to see his remaining family. 11 Oldest Pearl Harbor Survivors (Updated 2021) South Dakota at the Battle of Santa Cruz (US Navy). 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. Instead of finishing grade school, Calvin got a job in a shipyard and got married. Of course there was some artistic freedoms so,. Not much is known about Marchands time in the French military during World War II, but he was a prisoner-of-war. As a young man, Hill played center field in the Negro Baseball League. Are there any ww2 Vets Still Alive 2022. Anyone who served under the United States flag was eighteen, seventeen with parental consent. Robert Marchand is a member of the French Communist Party and CGT Trade Union, the longest-serving member still living, with 90 years of membership. After the war, Brooks worked as a fork lift operator until he retired at 70. Which Is Stronger Pramoxine Or Lidocaine? Previous Occupation(s): Fork lift operator and several odd jobs. 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. Only people. He hated Hitler, he said, because Fuhrer reminded him of his stepfather. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran alive? She went on to work in accounting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before retiring in 1972. Margaret Reed is just a few months shy of her 111th birthday and is currently the oldest living person born in Ireland. Two years later, the Navy reinstated Calvins Purple Heart. Currently, Corbin is the oldest resident across RMBI (Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution) Care Co.s system. The soldiers were paid at Pay Parades held within their own units. 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. We asked him "When you were over there in Germany carrying artillery rounds, did you ever think I should be in English class or Biology class?". 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. All men between the ages of 21 and 45 years old were required to register for the draft in 1940. 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. Of course there was some artistic freedoms so, please don't quote the movie as historical fact. There is no definitive answer to this question as the number of WW1 survivors varies depending on the source. / 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. Previous Occupation(s): Various jobs with the U.S. Military. If you dont pass me also, Ill go to your superior.. Country of Origin: Norwood, Louisiana, USA Mr. John Tosh, the Director of the Texas Air Museum in San Antonio, Texas, is 87 and still going strong. Whether working as porters or messengers, or giving their lives on the frontline, there were numerous young men involved in World War II. Young became a prisoner of war at 16 years old. There is a documentary about him called "Grandpa's War Story Goes Viral.". Lumby became a tank commander with the Lord Elgin Regiment during World War II. Current Age (as of February 2021): 109 years, 2 months, 20 days How many survivors are still alive from ww2, How many ww2 veterans are still alive 2022, Who is the oldest ww2 veteran Still Alive 2022, Can you join the military if you have autism, [DEAL!] Current Age (as of February 2021): 109 years, 10 months, 29 days 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. Military Branch: Womens Voluntary Service (WVS) After Odile Washington passed away over the summer of 2020, Brooks became the oldest living person in Louisiana. He has detailed his experiences in the Malaysian Jungle, the Sandakan in his book, co-authored with historian Lynette Silver. Year of birth: 1936 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Lawrence Brooks, a World War II veteran believed to be the oldest man in the U.S., died in New Orleans Wednesday morning at the age of 112, after winning wider attention in recent years for his. 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 . TBG Daypack Mini Tactical Diaper Bag Backpack Small for Women, [DEAL!] He was released after his sister threatened to contact the newspapers. World War II was the most destructive war in history. According to the VA, they are generally in their 90s. 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. I have done a little research and found out who the youngest that served were, but no information about who is still alive. They also may be restricted in sharing specific names and birth dates of individuals for reasons of privacy. ZIMOCE Night Vision Goggles Tactical Gear, 1080P Video Night Vision, [DEAL!] However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Although he had tried to return to his ship, he was discharged from the Navy on April 1, 1943, and his awards were revoked. Frank Buckles, Americas last surviving World War I veteran, has died at age 110. His real age was discovered when a former shipmate was looking for his grave, which was unmarked. She often taught other people how to drive. 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. The South Dakota and her crew received a Navy Unit Commendation for the action. Calvins ship took an enormous beating with major damage, 40 killed, and 180 wounded, including Calvin. : Died November 6, 1992 Kabance joined the U.S. Army on 17 March 1943, and became part of the Womens Army Corps. However, the Army can lift some restrictions based on the need for certain roles to be filled. I took belts off the dead and made tourniquets for the living and gave them cigarettes and encouraged them all night, he later said. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a huge sense of pride. He is still alive and is 91 I believe. 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. Now 92 years old, the boyish looks may be a distant memory. Krul is currently living with his nephew, the son of his sister who lived to be 102. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran? He was bayonetted in the leg. Who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive. Back in 2015, 939,000 U.S. WWII veterans were still alive and the number of stories and memories being lost daily is accelerating. On , the British cruiser HMS Dido was en route to Copenhagen Denmark. 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 "I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks," Kelso said. He got his GED, then went to college, then signed up to serve again. He received a trophy Browning Pistol as a souvenir from his military commander, General Vasily Chuikov of the 62nd Army. 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. But Bob Kelso didn't grow up wealthy. The Department of Veterans Affairs says that 7.2 million people are living today. 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. Walker was also Secretary of the local Conservative Association and a founder member of the Friends of Kingwood. Previous Occupation(s): Peppard Parish Council Worker. 8 Youngest Medal of Honor Recipients in History 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 went on to fight in Korea and SGM Special Forces Vietnam. Upon his return from war, Lucas obtained the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart Medal two of the highest honors one could receive while serving in the U.S. armed forces. The last surviving veteran was Claude Choules (on the photo), who served Royal Navy during WW1. He was in fact, only 13 years old. 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. : Died In 1987 Previous Occupation(s): Baseball player and shoe store owner. In buildings across San Antonio you will see the names Bob Kelso and his late wife Betty. It shows that their ranks will fall further to just under 60,000 in five years with the very last U.S. WWII veteran expected to pass away in 2043. 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. Lawrence Brooks After Odile Washington passed away over the summer of 2020, Brooks became the oldest living person in Louisiana. 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. Their ranks are continuing to steadily decline, however, and the vast majority of those alive in 2020 are in their 90s while some are considerably older. At one point, shrapnel hit Graham square in the face, tearing through his jaw and mouth. Hermanns enlisted in the Territorial Air Force in 1937 and two years later when World War II was declared, he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Still Living? Still Living? Since 2015, Reed has been living in a care home in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England. Military Branch: German Military Year of birth: 1926 Military Branch: Womens Army Corps Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It was a long night. LawrenceBrooks, who was pictured holding a photo of himself as a soldier in 1943, died at the age of 112. By the end of the War, Corbin had achieved the rank of lieutenant. 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 . Home | All Posts | Who is the youngest ww2 veteran still alive? They guarded posts and supplies, carried messages, and rescued downed pilots. Sergei rose in the ranks, and became a junior lieutenant in his army. He was left an orphan at a young age after his father died in the war. Gerald Herbert/AP. Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 90sor older. Corbins given name is actually Elsie, but her family has always called her Pat because of her birthday.