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Oldest World War II Veteran Was In Danger Of Losing His Home Until Public Helped

Oldest World War II Veteran Was In Danger Of Losing His Home Until Public Helped

A true legend.

Anonymous

Anonymous

It's incredible to think that the people who fought in WWII are still alive - but they are. Think about it - the war ended almost 72 years ago!

Richard Overton is the USA's oldest WWII veteran and is 110 years old. He actually survived Pearl Harbour, and I don't mean the terrible movie, and saw the bombs hit the ships.

Unfortunately, he was in great danger again - this time from losing the house he built with his own hands.

Richard needs round-the-clock care and his family can't afford it. He has outlived most of his family - even on a diet of whisky and cigars. He smokes 12 cigars a day!

Richard enjoying a cigar with family. Credit: Go Fund Me

His cousin has started a Go Fund Me page and has so far raised over £100,000. It costs over £450 for his homecare - a day, which has effectively ensure he will be able to see out his days at home, rather than go in a nursing home to make the money from the sale of the property. They hope to raise $150 thousand overall, which would mean care for around a year because of the cost of the specialist equipment he needs.

"I still walk, I still talk and I still drive," said Richard, who got his licence renewed when he was 109. He said being in the army has made him fearless.

Richard served in the army from 1940 to 1945 and was invited four years ago to The Oval Office by Barack Obama to an event honouring WWII veterans.

Credit: Go Fund Me

The former president paid tribute to Richard, saying: "He was there at Pearl Harbour when the battle ships were still smouldering."

"When the war ended, Richard headed home to Texas, to a nation bitterly divided by race. And his service on the battlefield was not always matched by the respect that he deserved at home. But this veteran held his head high."

Richard is a bit of a celebrity in his local Texas town and has even had a documentary made about him, which you can watch here!

Words Laura Hamilton

Featured Image Credit: Go Fund Me

Topics: WWII, Veteran