Amazing.
Richard Arvin Overton (born May 11, 1906) is an American supercentenarian who at age 111 years, 82 days is the oldest verified surviving U.S. war veteran. He is a veteran of World War II who served with the United States Army. In 2013 he was honored by President Barack Obama.[SUP][2][/SUP][SUP][3][/SUP][SUP][4][/SUP][SUP][5][/SUP] He currently resides in Austin, Texas. Overton is the oldest living man and 18th oldest living person in America
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[h=2]Early life and educationEdit[/h]Overton was born in Bastrop County, Texas[SUP][6][/SUP] to Jim Gentry Overton (1877–1920) and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Franklin Overton Waters (1876–1939). His father's paternal grandfather, John Overton, Jr., was white and a son of John Overton. PresidentAndrew Jackson is also a distant relative to Overton.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP] He is of African-American and English and Irish descent.
[h=2]Military and civilian careerEdit[/h]
Richard Arvin Overton, pictured in 2013
Overton was inducted into the U.S. military on September 3, 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.[SUP][7][/SUP] He served in the South Pacific from 1940 through 1945, including stops inHawaii, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima. He left the U.S. Army in October 1945 as a technician fifth grade.[SUP][8][/SUP]
Overton worked at local furniture stores before taking a position with the Texas Department of the Treasury (now part of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts) in Austin. He was married twice and never had children.
[h=2]Later lifeEdit[/h]
Then–U.S. President Barack Obama, shakes hands with Overton in theBlue Room at the White House onVeterans Day 2013
Overton gained media attention during the 2013 Memorial Day weekend when he told Fox News he would spend his Memorial Day "smoking cigars and drinking whiskey-stiffened coffee."[SUP][9][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]
On that same Memorial Day, Overton met with Texas Governor Rick Perry.[SUP][11][/SUP] Overton was also invited to the White House where he met with President Barack Obama, and to the Veterans' Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was singled out by name for praise by the President.[SUP][5][/SUP][SUP][12][/SUP][SUP][13][/SUP]
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.[SUP][14][/SUP]
[h=3]DocumentaryEdit[/h]Overton is the subject of a 2016 documentary, Mr. Overton, in which he is interviewed about his daily routine, thoughts on his longevity, and his military service. It is currently on the film festival circuit. On May 3, 2016, he became the oldest surviving American veteran after the death of Frank Levingston from Bossier Parish, Lake Charles.
[h=3]Personal lifeEdit[/h]When he was 82 years old, he became a widower when his wife, Wilma, died in 1988.[SUP][15][/SUP] He lives in Austin, Texas. In November 2015, Overton was hospitalized there for pneumonia at the age of 109.[SUP][16][/SUP]
[h=3]Supercentenarian and longevity detailsEdit[/h]On May 11, 2016, Overton became a supercentenarian, when he reached the age of 110.[SUP][6][/SUP] A week after celebrating his 111th birthday in May 2017, he was once again hospitalized for pneumonia.[SUP][17][/SUP] Following the death of Clarence Matthews on July 22, 2017, Overton became the oldest living man in the United States.
[h=2]ReferencesEdit[/h]
Richard Arvin Overton (born May 11, 1906) is an American supercentenarian who at age 111 years, 82 days is the oldest verified surviving U.S. war veteran. He is a veteran of World War II who served with the United States Army. In 2013 he was honored by President Barack Obama.[SUP][2][/SUP][SUP][3][/SUP][SUP][4][/SUP][SUP][5][/SUP] He currently resides in Austin, Texas. Overton is the oldest living man and 18th oldest living person in America
| Richard Arvin Overton | |
|---|---|
Overton in the U.S. Army during the 1940s | |
| Nickname(s) | Arvin |
| Born | May 11, 1906 (age 111 years, 82 days) Bastrop County, Texas, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
|
| Service/branch |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–45 |
| Rank |
Technician fifth grade[SUP][1][/SUP] |
| Unit | 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion (Colored) |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Meritorious Unit Commendation
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge |
| Relations | Wilma Overton (wife, died 1988) |
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[h=2]Early life and educationEdit[/h]Overton was born in Bastrop County, Texas[SUP][6][/SUP] to Jim Gentry Overton (1877–1920) and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Franklin Overton Waters (1876–1939). His father's paternal grandfather, John Overton, Jr., was white and a son of John Overton. PresidentAndrew Jackson is also a distant relative to Overton.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP] He is of African-American and English and Irish descent.
[h=2]Military and civilian careerEdit[/h]
Richard Arvin Overton, pictured in 2013Overton was inducted into the U.S. military on September 3, 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.[SUP][7][/SUP] He served in the South Pacific from 1940 through 1945, including stops inHawaii, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima. He left the U.S. Army in October 1945 as a technician fifth grade.[SUP][8][/SUP]
Overton worked at local furniture stores before taking a position with the Texas Department of the Treasury (now part of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts) in Austin. He was married twice and never had children.
[h=2]Later lifeEdit[/h]
Then–U.S. President Barack Obama, shakes hands with Overton in theBlue Room at the White House onVeterans Day 2013Overton gained media attention during the 2013 Memorial Day weekend when he told Fox News he would spend his Memorial Day "smoking cigars and drinking whiskey-stiffened coffee."[SUP][9][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]
On that same Memorial Day, Overton met with Texas Governor Rick Perry.[SUP][11][/SUP] Overton was also invited to the White House where he met with President Barack Obama, and to the Veterans' Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was singled out by name for praise by the President.[SUP][5][/SUP][SUP][12][/SUP][SUP][13][/SUP]
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.[SUP][14][/SUP]
[h=3]DocumentaryEdit[/h]Overton is the subject of a 2016 documentary, Mr. Overton, in which he is interviewed about his daily routine, thoughts on his longevity, and his military service. It is currently on the film festival circuit. On May 3, 2016, he became the oldest surviving American veteran after the death of Frank Levingston from Bossier Parish, Lake Charles.
[h=3]Personal lifeEdit[/h]When he was 82 years old, he became a widower when his wife, Wilma, died in 1988.[SUP][15][/SUP] He lives in Austin, Texas. In November 2015, Overton was hospitalized there for pneumonia at the age of 109.[SUP][16][/SUP]
[h=3]Supercentenarian and longevity detailsEdit[/h]On May 11, 2016, Overton became a supercentenarian, when he reached the age of 110.[SUP][6][/SUP] A week after celebrating his 111th birthday in May 2017, he was once again hospitalized for pneumonia.[SUP][17][/SUP] Following the death of Clarence Matthews on July 22, 2017, Overton became the oldest living man in the United States.
[h=2]ReferencesEdit[/h]
- ^ <cite class="citation web" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"109-Year-Old Veteran and His Secrets to Life Will Make You Smile - Short Film Showcase". YouTube. 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2017-04-26.</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation news" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Royce-Bartlett, Lindy (November 11, 2013). "Oldest World War II vet Richard Overton, 107, honored by President Obama". CNN.</cite>
- ^ <cite id="CITEREFThuman2013" class="citation" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Thuman, Scott (November 11, 2013), Richard Overton honored by President Obama on Veterans Day, WJLA-TV</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation news" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Toppo, Greg (November 10, 2013). "Oldest living WWII vet to meet with Obama". USA Today.</cite>
- ^ [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] <cite class="citation news" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"Oldest known WWII veteran honored at Arlington ceremony". Fox News Channel. November 11, 2013.</cite>
- ^ [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] <cite class="citation web" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Staff (2016-05-11). "Nation's oldest living WWII Combat Veteran Richard Overton turning 110". fox7austin.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.</cite>
- ^ National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, U.S.: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; ARC: 1263923. World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park. College Park, Maryland, U.S. See transcription of record here. Accessed 1 September 2015. (subscription required)
- ^ <cite class="citation web" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Arvine, Richard Overton (2013). "Richard Arvine Overton Collection". memory.loc.gov. Veterans History Project. Retrieved 2017-08-01.</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation news" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"America's oldest veteran to spend quiet Memorial Day at Texas home". Fox News Channel. May 26, 2013. RetrievedMay 24, 2013.</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation news" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Golgowski, Nina (May 25, 2013). "America's oldest vet, aged 107, who saw comrades fall in WWII to spend Memorial Day with cigars and whiskey-stiffened coffee". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved May 27, 2013.</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation web" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"Oldest living WWII vet meets Gov. Perry". My Fox Austin. Retrieved May 27, 2013.</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation news" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Jackson, David (November 11, 2013). "Obama: 'We will never forget' veterans". USA Today.</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">President Barack Obama greets Richard Overton, White House, November 2013</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation web" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Carbaugh, Dane (2017-03-24). "Spurs honor Richard Overton, the oldest living U.S. veteran at Military Appreciation Night". ProBasketballTalk. Retrieved 2017-03-25.</cite>
- ^ Texas Death Index, Wilma Overton. Accessed 1 September 2015. (subscription required)
- ^ <cite class="citation web" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"Austinite Richard Overton, nation’s oldest WWII veteran, hospitalized". Statesman.com. November 11, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.</cite>
- ^ <cite class="citation news" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font: inherit; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Hall, Katie (2017-05-19). "UPDATE: Richard Overton, oldest vet and Austin resident, diagnosed with pneumonia, family says". Statesman. Retrieved 2017-08-01.</cite>
