Richard Arvin Overton

American centenarian and oldest verified living World War II veteran

Richard Arvin Overton (May 11, 1906 – December 27, 2018) was an American supercentenarian. He was the oldest verified surviving American World War II veteran, as well as the oldest American man. In 2013 he was honored by President Barack Obama.[1][2][3][4] On that same Memorial Day, Overton met with Texas Governor Rick Perry.[5] He was born in Bastrop County, Texas.

Overton in November 2017

Overton served in the South Pacific from 1940 through 1945, including stops in Hawaii, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima. He left the U.S. Army in October 1945.[6]

During an NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies on March 24, 2017, Overton was honored during a half-time break.[7]

He lived in Austin, Texas. When he was 82 years old, his wife, Wilma, died in 1988.[8] On May 11, 2016, Overton became a supercentenarian.[9] Overton died in Austin on December 27, 2018 from complications of pneumonia at the age of 112.[10]

References

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  1. Royce-Bartlett, Lindy (November 11, 2013). "Oldest World War II vet Richard Overton, 107, honored by President Obama". CNN.
  2. Thuman, Scott (November 11, 2013), Richard Overton honored by President Obama on Veterans Day, WJLA-TV, archived from the original on April 2, 2015, retrieved October 21, 2017
  3. Toppo, Greg (November 10, 2013). "Oldest living WWII vet to meet with Obama". USA Today.
  4. "Oldest known WWII veteran honored at Arlington ceremony". Fox News Channel. November 11, 2013.
  5. "Oldest living WWII vet meets Gov. Perry". YouTube. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  6. Arvine, Richard Overton (2013). "Richard Arvine Overton Collection". memory.loc.gov. Veterans History Project. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  7. Carbaugh, Dane (2017-03-24). "Spurs honor Richard Overton, the oldest living U.S. veteran at Military Appreciation Night". ProBasketballTalk. Retrieved 2017-03-25.
  8. Texas Death Index, Wilma Overton. Accessed 1 September 2015. (subscription required)
  9. Staff (2016-05-11). "Nation's oldest living WWII Combat Veteran Richard Overton turning 110". fox7austin.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  10. Nation's oldest living veteran Richard Overton dies in Austin at age 112

Other websites

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  Media related to Richard Overton at Wikimedia Commons