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America's oldest veteran turns 112 years old

Veteran of World War II from Texas
America's oldest veteran turns 112 years old
Posted at 1:04 PM, May 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-11 16:04:12-04

The oldest World War II veteran, Richard Overton, turned 112 Friday.

Overton is also the oldest living American man. He was born May 11, 1906 in Bastrop County, Texas. According to veteran record, Overton served in the Pacific Theater of WWII, making stops in Hawaii, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima. 

On Veterans Day in 2013, President Barack Obama paid tribute to military veterans including, then 107-year-old, Overton at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.

Overton has lived through 19 presidents, the Great Depression and two World Wars, including fighting in the second one. And reportedly lives in a home he built himself 72 years ago on a street named after him. He's also said to still drink whisky and smoke cigar and doesn't suffer from any aches or pains.

When he turned 106, he told comedian Steve Harvey "just keep living, don't die.