How old is the youngest WWII vet?

The youngest American to serve in World War II with combat experience was Calvin Leon Graham, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 12 by lying about his age and fought on the USS South Dakota, earning decorations like the Bronze Star and Purple Heart before his discharge. For all WWII veterans still living today, they would now be in their late 90s or over 100, as they would have been born around 1927 or earlier to have served, making the youngest living veteran around 97 or 98 years old as of early 2026.

How old is the youngest WWII veteran?

The youngest U.S. serviceman to fight in World War II was Calvin Leon Graham, who enlisted in the Navy at age 12 in 1942, lying about his age to serve on the USS South Dakota, where he earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star before being discharged when his true age was discovered. He is recognized as the youngest combatant, although he passed away in 1992, and medals were later reinstated posthumously.
 

How old would a WWII vet be?

A World War II veteran today (early 2026) would generally be in their late 90s to over 100 years old, with the youngest possible veterans being around 97-98 (born 1927) and many in their centenarian years, as the war ended in 1945 and most served as young adults or teenagers. While some lived to be 110+, most survivors are now 100+, with numbers rapidly declining as the last of the "Greatest Generation" passes. 

Did any 16 year old fight in WWII?

Yes, 16-year-olds fought in World War II, particularly in Germany with the Hitler Youth (like the 12th SS Panzer Division), the Soviet Union, and Japan, while in the U.S. and Britain, many teenagers lied about their age to enlist, with some serving in combat roles despite official age limits, though underage enlistment was often illegal and discouraged. The use of child soldiers was widespread in some nations, driven by desperation for manpower, while others saw young teens volunteering for patriotic reasons.
 

What was the youngest age to enlist in WWII?

Graham was sworn into the Navy on Aug. 15, 1942, at 12 years old, making him the youngest person to enlist during World War II. After training, he was sent to serve in the Pacific as a gunner aboard the USS South Dakota.

How Old Is The Youngest Living World War 2 Veteran? - Military History HQ

Are any WWII vets still alive?

Yes, there are still World War II veterans alive, but their numbers are dwindling rapidly, with estimates for U.S. veterans in late 2025/early 2026 hovering around 40,000 to 70,000, with the youngest approaching 100 years old, making every opportunity to hear their stories precious. While millions served, these aging heroes, now in their late 90s and 100s, represent a tiny fraction, with projections suggesting most will be gone by the mid-2030s. 

Why were soldiers given condoms in WWII?

Soldiers were given condoms in WWII primarily to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis and gonorrhea, which seriously threatened troop health and manpower, but they also used them creatively for other tasks like keeping sand and water out of gun barrels or waterproofing supplies. Militaries issued them as a public health measure, recognizing that abstinence was unrealistic and needing to maintain fighting strength, with the U.S. Army even providing "prophylaxis kits" to ensure use. 

Who was the youngest soldier on D-Day?

D-Day 80th anniversary: Youngest soldier Jim Radford's experience on the front line. The late Jim Radford was the youngest soldier present on the beaches of Normandy 70 years ago.

When were WWII vets born?

Date and age range definitions

The majority of veterans who served in World War II were born during the second half of this generation, from 1913 to 1924.

Did any 17 year old fight in Vietnam?

The Marine Corps re- ported that 228 marines in Viet- nam were 17. From the foregoing estimates, it appeared that about 1,200 Army men in Vietnam were un- der 18.

Who is the oldest WWII vet alive?

The oldest verified World War II veteran alive changes as individuals pass away, but as of early 2026, individuals like Ilie Ciocan (112+) and other centenarians were listed among the oldest, with specific US veterans like Lawrence Brooks (110+ in 2020) previously holding the title, though reports vary on who holds the current title, emphasizing the rapid disappearance of this generation. The oldest known US WWII veteran was Richard Overton, who passed in 2018. 

Are any WWII vets alive in 2025?

THE LEGACY OF THE WWII GENERATION

The men and women who fought and won this great conflict are now in their 90s or older; according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 45,418 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are alive as of 2025.

Did all WWII veterans see combat?

(http://www.historyshots.com/usarmy/backstory.cfm) This maintains that the US Army fielded a 35% ratio of infantry/combat element to support personnel. If you were drafted and went into the Army, there is a good chance you wouldn't even end up in a Ground Forces unit.

How old is the average WWII vet now?

As of September 30, 2023, more than 100,000 WWII Veterans are still living, including about 6,000 women. Their median age is 98 years old. Approximately 5,000 of surviving WWII Veterans also served in the Korean War and/or Vietnam Era.

Who was the youngest person at Pearl Harbor?

You may have heard the story of Calvin Graham, the youngest American to fight in World War II, who was only 12 years old when he enlisted in the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Are any D-Day veterans still alive?

Yes, there are still some D-Day veterans alive, but they are very few, mostly in their late 90s or over 100 years old, with prominent figures like 102-year-old Papa Jake (Jake Larson) and 104-year-old nurse Betty Huffman-Rosevear being celebrated as recent examples in 2025, highlighting the dwindling numbers of this "Greatest Generation" as they approach the 81st anniversary of the invasion in June 2025.
 

Are any WWII vets alive today?

Yes, there are still World War II veterans alive, but their numbers are dwindling rapidly, with estimates for U.S. veterans in late 2025/early 2026 hovering around 40,000 to 70,000, with the youngest approaching 100 years old, making every opportunity to hear their stories precious. While millions served, these aging heroes, now in their late 90s and 100s, represent a tiny fraction, with projections suggesting most will be gone by the mid-2030s. 

Does a DD 214 mean you are a veteran?

But having a DD214 form doesn't automatically mean you are a veteran! What is truly bothersome is that people who have served but don't qualify as a veteran can request a DD214.

What does the D in D day stand for?

The "D" in D-Day stands for "day," a generic term used by the military for the unspecified start day of a major operation, like the invasion of Normandy. It's part of a system where "H-Hour" is the start time, and "D-Day" is the day, allowing planners to use "D-1" (day before) or "D+2" (two days after) for scheduling before the actual date is set. 

Who was the youngest soldier killed in WWII?

The youngest known soldier to die in WWII is often cited as Reginald Earnshaw, a 14-year-old British Merchant Navy cabin boy killed in 1941, but the youngest combatant overall was likely Sergei Aleshkov, a 6-year-old Soviet "Son of the Regiment" who served at Stalingrad and survived the war. While Earnshaw was the youngest service casualty, Aleshkov was the youngest to actively serve in combat, though his role was more of a mascot/assistant.
 

How old is the oldest D-Day veteran?

This beautiful, haunting song was written by the incredible World War Two D-Day veteran Donald Rose - pictured above. Donald, at an astonishing 110 years old, was the oldest man (and oldest veteran) in the UK until his death in July 2025 - and he loved music with a passion.

Who was the 6 year old soldier?

Despite his remarkably young age, the six year old Seryozha Aleshkov was recruited into the Soviet Red Army as a soldier by his adoptive father Commander Mikhail Vorobych, and Seryozha Aleshkov became the youngest known soldier, at just six years old.

How did Saloon girls keep from getting pregnant?

Saloon girls used a mix of rudimentary contraception, douching with acidic/antiseptic solutions (vinegar, alum), barrier methods (animal intestine condoms, sponges), and withdrawal, but abortion was also very common due to high failure rates, with methods including dangerous herbal concoctions or physical interventions, making pregnancy a constant threat despite efforts to prevent it. 

What did code girls do in WWII?

By the end of the war, approximately 7,000 of the 10,500 SIS staff were female. These women on the home front contributed to the Allied victory by successfully breaking codes and deciphering enemy messages. The women cryptologists were held to strict secrecy and would become one of the best-kept secrets of WWII.