The oldest World War II veteran Richard Overton who is regarded as the oldest living man in the U.S. has died on Thursday in Texas, according to one of Overton’s family members. Richard Overton was 112 years old at the time of his death.
Reportedly the army veteran was hospitalized with pneumonia but he was released on the Eve of Christmas according to Shirley Overton. Shirley’s husband was a cousin of Richard Overton, and in the meantime, Shirley was also Richard Overton’s long-time caretaker. Shirley said that they had done everything that was possible.
Richard Overton died at a rehab facility located in Austin Texas. During his 30s Richard Overton volunteered for the Army and was stationed at Pearl Harbor just after the Japanese had attacked in the year 1941.
According to Richard, the secret to his long life was drinking whiskey and smoking cigars. And this is something Richard was often found doing on the porch of his home in Austin.
Richard’s recent birthday has the attention of the nation which led to many strangers to stop by at his house to meet the WWII veteran. Given that Richard was over a hundred years old, he would still drive widows of his neighborhood to the church.
The war veteran’s quick wit and kindred spirit touched lives of many people, and the Governor of Texas Greg Abbott was deeply honored to know a man like Richard Overton. Greg Abbott even said in a statement that Richard Overton was a Texas legend and an American icon.
The governor even added that it was Richard Overton who made the people of Texas proud of themselves and in turn proud to be an American. Abbott also said that they would never be able to repay what Richard Overton has done for the nation as well as the service along with the lasting impact he left on Lone Star State.
Source: nbcnews
