Nation's Oldest World War II Veteran Turns 112 In Austin

EAST AUSTIN, TX — It's not every day we pause to wish a resident a happy birthday in the form of a news story, as important a milestone that may be for the celebrant. However, Richard Overton is no ordinary resident but America's oldest living World War II veteran who is celebrating his 112th birthday on Friday.

Born in Bastrop County, in 1906, Overton has called East Austin home for years now, where he sees a pretty steady stream of curious reporters, random well wishers and, of course, loved ones checking in on him. Something of a local celebrity, he doesn't seek out fame yet often has people making a fuss over him given his longevity.

It's worth mentioning that Overton is not only the oldest living WWII veteran but the oldest man currently living in the U.S. Adding to his allure is interest from others seeking the key to his long life, some hoping perhaps to emulate the regimen. Here, again, is how extraordinary Overton is. Those seeking access to an envisioned fountain of youth from which they mistakenly believe Overton sips are quickly disabused of such a notion: To this day, he enjoys a daily indulgence of whisky and cigars, and also enjoys steady streams of coffee and Dr. Pepper.

Overton was inducted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 3, 1940, at Fort Sam Houston when he was 33 years old. He was dispatched to the South Pacific in 1940, serving in such far-flung places as guam, Hwaii, Iwo Jima and Palau before being discharged in October 1945 as a technician fifth grade.

Related story: Austin's Oldest Veteran Hopes To Avoid Nursing Home

Overton never sought fame in his post-war life, and it wasn't until 2006 — as a young whippersnapper turning 100 — that folks took notice of the soft-spoken veteran living a quiet life in East Austin, where he enjoys sitting on his porch as the evening falls. Since then, he's met President Barack Obama, Joe Biden and numerous celebrities. On Friday afternoon, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave Overton a shout-out at the outset of the day's press briefing.

Richard Overton with legendary golfer Ben Crenshaw, teaming up to help preserve the historic Lions Golf Course in Austin — the first golf course in the South to desegregate before the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling.

He didn't invite a fuss to happen Friday, either, but as something of an Austin icon, the outpouring of affection and adulation simply couldn't be helped for a man such as he. Under sunny skies with the temperature hovering at around 90 degrees, throngs of well wishers descended to his East Austin home to wish him a happy birthday. Austin Fire Department crew members also were scheduled to drop by in one of their shiny fire engines with plans to make him an honorary firefighter for the day.

The block party doubled as a fundraiser of sorts, with T-shirts sold for proceeds to defray costs of 24-hour care to keep Overton in his home of 70 years. Earlier, a GoFundMe drive was started toward this aim as well. At last check, the drive had raised $242,684 of a $400,000 goal.

Like so many others before him, comedian and talk show host Steve Harvey once asked Overton for the secret to long life. Without missing a beat, the war veteran replied: "Just keep living. Don't die."

A happy birthday, Mr. Overton. Here's to the next 112 years.

>>> Photos via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner