Nation's Oldest Living WWII Vet Celebrating His 110th Birthday In East Austin

EAST AUSTIN -- The oldest living veteran -- who happens to live in East Austin -- is celebrating his 110th birthday on Wednesday.

Richard Overton fought in the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion during WWII, serving as a corporal in the South Pacific. He was born May 11, 1906 -- which makes him the oldest living veteran from the Big War since the death last week of Louisiana veteran who claimed the longevity title.

"I feel good," Overton told NBC News recently. "A little old, but I'm getting around like everybody else.

East Austin is home in the true sense of the phrase. Overtonlives in the same house he's been living in since returning from the war, the network reported. He paid $4,000 for the house back then, likely worth a bit more given the rising property rates of gentrifying East Austin.

Since emerging as the longest-living veteran, Overton has gotten the inevitable questions on what the secrets to his longevity might be. But his tips might not be for everyone: Cigar chain smoking, a splash of whiskey in his morning coffee, and a steady diet of fried catfish and butter pecan ice cream, he told TODAY two years ago.

NBC News reported that Overton joined his all-black military unit in 1942, and became a skilled sharpshooter. He's outlived two wives and has received many honors and accolades — including a visit to the White House where he met President Barack Obama when he was just a youngster of 107.

The Austin American-Statesman newspaper created a slide show of Overton celebrating his milestone birthday today with his creature comforts of cigars and a little libation. For a primer on how to really party, click here.