Meet Oldest Living Veteran – Mr. Richard Overton!
As the Boot Campaign continues our week of Honoring Our Heroes, today we salute Texas native, Richard Overton.
At 107 years old, Overton is the oldest surviving World War II Veteran. A member of America’s greatest generation, Overton was honored this Veteran’s Day with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery where he met President Obama and attended the wreath-laying ceremony. During the ceremony, President Obama spoke a few words about Overton’s service in the war.
Overton was born May 11, 1906 in Bastrop County, Texas. He served in the South Pacific from 1942-1945, including stops in Hawaii, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima. After leaving the Army in October 1945, Overton worked at local furniture stores before taking a position with the Texas Department of the Treasury in Austin. He was married twice and never had children.
A lover of a good cigar and a splash of whiskey, Overton credits his longevity to aspirin, which he takes daily, and the relatively stress-free life he’s enjoyed since getting out of the service.
