Washington, Jan 6 :US’s oldest surviving World War II veteran, Lawrence Brooks, died at the age of 112, the National WWII Museum said.
Brooks, who died on Wednesday morning, was drafted into the US Army at 31 and spent World War II in the predominantly African American 91st Engineer Battalion, which was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines, according to the museum, reports CNN.
“As the nation’s oldest known living veteran, he proudly served our country during World War II, and returned home to serve his community and church,” Stephen J. Watson, president and CEO of the National WWII Museum said.
“His kindness, smile and sense of humor connected him to generations of people who loved and admired him.”
The US President offered condolences in a Twitter statement.
“I’m saddened to learn that Lawrence Brooks — who was the oldest surviving U.S. WWII veteran — has passed. away. I had the honour of speaking with him last year, and he was truly the best of Americans. I’m keeping his loved ones in my prayers,” Biden tweeted.
“I am sorry to hear of the passing away of Mr. Lawrence Brooks, America’s oldest World War II veteran and a proud Louisianan,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “I am thankful I had the chance to meet him and learn from his service.”
Born in 1909, Brooks was one of 15 children and was raised in rural Louisiana and Mississippi. He was drafted into the U.S. Army a few weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor at the age of 31, reports NPR.
Brooks is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren.(UNI)