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Meet Oldest Living Veteran – Mr. Richard Overton!

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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.