US

Last Living WWI Vet Dies in W. VA. at Age 110

Last Living WWI Vet Dies in W. VA. at Age 110MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — He was repeatedly rejected by military recruiters and got into uniform at 16 after lying about his age. But Frank Buckles would later become the last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I.

Buckles, who also survived being a civilian POW in the Philippines in World War II, died of natural causes Sunday at his home in Charles Town, biographer and family spokesman David DeJonge said in a statement. He was 110.

Buckles had been advocating for a national memorial honoring veterans of the Great War in the nation’s capital.

When asked in February 2008 how it felt to be the last of his kind, he said simply, “I realized that somebody had to be, and it was me.” And he told The Associated Press he would have done it all over again, “without a doubt.”

On Nov. 11, 2008, the 90th anniversary of the end of the war, Buckles attended a ceremony at the grave of World War I Gen. John Pershing in Arlington National Cemetery.

He was back in Washington a year later to endorse a proposal to rededicate the existing World War I memorial on the National Mall as the official National World War I Memorial. He told a Senate panel it was “an excellent idea.” The memorial was originally built to honor District of Columbia’s war dead.

Born in Missouri in 1901 and raised in Oklahoma, Buckles visited a string of military recruiters after the United States entered the “war to end all wars” in April 1917. He was repeatedly rejected before convincing an Army captain he was 18. He was actually 16 1/2.

“A boy of (that age), he’s not afraid of anything. He wants to get in there,” Buckles said.

Details for services and arrangements will be announced later this week. The family asks that donations be made to the National World War One Legacy Project. The project is managed by the nonprofit Survivor Quest and will educate students about Buckles and WWI through a documentary and traveling educational exhibition.

More than 4.7 million people joined the U.S. military from 1917-18. As of spring 2007, only three were still alive, according to a tally by the Department of Veterans Affairs: Buckles, J. Russell Coffey of Ohio and Harry Richard Landis of Florida.

The dwindling roster prompted a flurry of public interest, and Buckles went to Washington in May 2007 to serve as grand marshal of the national Memorial Day parade.

Coffey died Dec. 20, 2007, at age 109, while Landis died Feb. 4, 2008, at 108. Unlike Buckles, those two men were still in basic training in the United States when the war ended and did not make it overseas.

The last known Canadian veteran of the war, John Babcock of Spokane, Wash., died in February 2010.

There are no French or German veterans of the war left alive.

Buckles served in England and France, working mainly as a driver and a warehouse clerk. The fact he did not see combat didn’t diminish his service, he said: “Didn’t I make every effort?”

An eager student of culture and language, he used his off-duty hours to learn German, visit cathedrals, museums and tombs, and bicycle in the French countryside.

After Armistice Day, Buckles helped return prisoners of war to Germany. He returned to the United States in January 1920.

Buckles returned to Oklahoma for a while, then moved to Canada, where he worked a series of jobs before heading for New York City. There, he again took advantage of free museums, worked out at the YMCA, and landed jobs in banking and advertising.

But it was the shipping industry that suited him best, and he worked around the world for the White Star Line Steamship Co. and W.R. Grace & Co.

In 1941, while on business in the Philippines, Buckles was captured by the Japanese. He spent more than three years in prison camps.

“I was never actually looking for adventure,” Buckles once said. “It just came to me.”

He married in 1946 and moved to his farm in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle in 1954, where he and wife Audrey raised their daughter, Susannah Flanagan. Audrey Buckles died in 1999.

In spring 2007, Buckles told the AP of the trouble he went through to get into the military.

“I went to the state fair up in Wichita, Kansas, and while there, went to the recruiting station for the Marine Corps,” he said. “The nice Marine sergeant said I was too young when I gave my age as 18, said I had to be 21.”

Buckles returned a week later.

“I went back to the recruiting sergeant, and this time I was 21,” he said with a grin. “I passed the inspection … but he told me I just wasn’t heavy enough.”

Then he tried the Navy, whose recruiter told Buckles he was flat-footed.

Buckles wouldn’t quit. In Oklahoma City, an Army captain demanded a birth certificate.

“I told him birth certificates were not made in Missouri when I was born, that the record was in a family Bible. I said, ‘You don’t want me to bring the family Bible down, do you?’” Buckles said with a laugh. “He said, ‘OK, we’ll take you.’”

He enlisted Aug. 14, 1917, serial number 15577.

Comments (67)

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  • GBMBulletsSKNRD
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 11:14am

    Sir, I Salute You!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • run42k
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 11:11am

    Well done, sir! I am humbled by your guts to seek out service and am honored to be a veteran today. I know your family is extremely proud of you and our nation is indebted.

    Report Post » run42k  
  • just the facts
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:35am

    Thanks!

    Report Post »  
  • bkeely
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:14am

    My hat is off and my hand over my heart as I bow in prayer of a great generation passing in to history…….may we never forget there sacrifice.
    ——————
    Buck
    Http://www.***************
    Heirloom seeds “how God plants His garden”

    Report Post » TheWatcher  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:07am

    this should be ft line and front page news, not Lindsey Lohan!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » Cabo King  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:06am

    R.I.P. Mr Buckles, you are an American hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » Cabo King  
  • Michael
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:05am

    You have served your country well. Your service and your dedication will be honored forever. You have done what no other man has done. You lived long enough to let people know what it was like by telling your story. Having never met you, all I can say is, it is my loss and God will take care of you now. I salute an honorable gentleman who did all he could to fight for our country and what we believe in. May you rest in peace.

    Report Post »  
  • zman173rd
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:05am

    A Man among men.
    “I was never actually looking for adventure,” Buckles once said. “It just came to me.”
    I’ll bet God will find you with no trouble at all. Enjoy the rest of eternity.

    Report Post » zman173rd  
  • Teapartywoman
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:01am

    Just one of many examples of Americas greatness, Thank you sir and may you R.I.P.

    Report Post » Teapartywoman  
  • nam vet 72
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:56am

    Salute Mr Buckles R.I.P. you earned it.

    Report Post »  
  • Country
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:47am

    Wow people like him are the ones who made this country great, RIP and thank you for your service.

    Report Post »  
  • uncleherbert
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:47am

    The last of a great generation, a true patriot.

    Report Post » uncleherbert  
  • Highlander
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:42am

    In memory, I suggest we run up the flags for the last of “Black Jack” Pershing’s soldiers. I hope that America never forgets WWI or WWII. People who survived were reminders that it really happened.
    R.I.P. Mr. Buckles. we, the people of your country that you fought through two world wars for, salute you!

    Report Post » Highlander  
  • Bob_R_OathKeeper
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:42am

    God Bless You Sir, Semper Fi.

    Report Post » Bob_R_OathKeeper  
  • MaggieRose
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:33am

    a NAME that will live in infamy… God Bless you, dear Mr. Buckles… Rest in peace… We will never forget, nor will we let your beloved country go down without a fight you’d be proud of.

    Report Post »  
  • truthncharity
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:05am

    May this Patriot rest in peace and the Lord comfort his family.

    May this country honor him and all those who have served and shed their blood by returning to the values and principles they actually fought for.

    Report Post » truthncharity  
  • GENZERO
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:01am

    Thank you Mr. Buckles for your service to this Country, and for the opportunity you and so many others like you provided me and my family you will not be forgotten, God Bless.

    Report Post » GENZERO  
  • WVremembersFLIGHT93
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:48am

    Our Country was honored by your service, sir. The State of West Virginia was honored to have your home among her mountains. God above now enjoys the glory of your presence in Heaven, Mr. Buckles. Montani Semper Liberi.

    Report Post » WVremembersFLIGHT93  
  • AZ5-0
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:39am

    Mr. Buckles I wish I could have met you and heard your story first hand. Thank You for your service to our Country and your sacrifice. May you rest in peace and know your legacy and the legacy and sacrifice of your generation will live on in those who remember.

    Report Post »  
  • alpha_grower
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:36am

    Thank you Mr. Buckles and God Bless.

    Report Post »  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:32am

    Wow, that is indeed news. I had always enjoyed watching a vet named Winston M Roche on the history channel. He has appeared in several WW I specials and also a western special where he described seeing the Buffalo Bill Wild West show as a kid. He was one interesting guy who did many things during the war. I often wondered how long he lived past the filming of those specials.

    RIP Buckles, your generation will not be forgotten.

    Report Post »  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:29am

    The Lord blessed him for 110 years and I don’t see the Lord leaving him now.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
  • AmeriWoman
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:24am

    †God bless him, what an hero he is and how proud he makes me.
    RIP Mr Buckles.

    AW

    Report Post » AmeriWoman  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:23am

    Mr Buckles, Rest in Peace sir for long ago you answered the call of the country to service; now it is the duty of this generation to save the nation from the radicals and progressives from within and the enemies from without who are working togeather.

    May the good Lord welcome you home.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • PA PATRIOT
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:23am

    Honor Guard,
    Salute the Dead.

    Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:42am

      Gladly!

      http://www.idahoreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/RifleSalute.jpg

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:47am

      It’s sad to know that the last of his kind are now gone from the earth…….those who make the commitment to serve our nation are the very best among us…..honor is given to whom honor is due.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:50am

      Amen.

      America hats off and heads bowed for the last WWI hero of the nation.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • TheRevInCo
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:13am

      Amen, RIP!

      Report Post » The_Hut_In_Co  
    • BecksTheMan
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 9:30am

      This is sad indeed, it always happens sooner of later as the last of the Civil war and then the Spanish American War, now this, and next it will be last of WW2. His death is very symbolic and indeed marks another passage of a great era. May he rest in peace, wow what a special person to have survived to that age, you know he did a whole lot of things right just to make it to that age. I send my deepest gratitude and respect to all of our nations soldiers who the passing of this great men represent.

      Report Post »  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 10:40am

      Godspeed, Patriot!

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 11:19am

      Rest in Peace ….and Thank you.

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 11:30am

      A boy becoming a MAN at 16, a True Portrait. He sets the finest example of what people who serve this nation should be.

      All the politicians should be like him.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Lt_Taz
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 12:57pm

      Will the Patriot Guard,attend and honor this staunch American’s service to his country

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 2:09pm

      yo old dude ! thank you for your service…you must be spinning in your grave to see the results of your sacrifice. they lied to you then and the bastards are lying to all the troops in combat now !

      Report Post »  
    • Thinkingboy
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 2:36pm

      Mr. Buckles lived in my county, Jefferson County, West Virginia. It was very sad to hear of his passing. God bless him.

      Report Post »  
    • right-wing-waco
      Posted on February 28, 2011 at 5:54pm

      What a great person. I too Salute you and say THANK YOU.

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on March 1, 2011 at 12:37am

      Thank you for all you gave. It is an honor to have shared is great country with you

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
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