Richard Overton, America's Oldest WWII Veteran, Turns 112
Source: military.com
He's met celebrities, presidents and comedians. He's experienced war and peace. He's accumulated countless accolades.
But for America's oldest living World War II veteran Richard Overton, there's nothing better than hanging out on his front porch, smoking cigars and greeting passers-by who treat him, rightly so, like the neighborhood king.
On Friday, Overton will celebrate his 112th birthday with a community celebration at his East Austin home on the street that now bears his name -- Richard Overton Avenue. The birthday bash, hosted by Austin hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm and featuring music by DJ Kay Cali, will be 4 to 7 p.m.
"I love to have a birthday," Overton said Thursday from his porch. "That's another day. I hope I live another five years."
Overton is believed to be the oldest living American and the third-oldest person in the world. The super-centenarian has no plans of slowing down. Since his last birthday, he's kept busy. "I'm enjoying myself," he said.
Last month, he flew in a private jet to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, where he received a private tour and met former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Overton's buddy Allen Bergeron, who works with Austin veterans, introduced him to billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Smith, who made the trip possible. This type of magical moment tends to happen to the veteran nowadays.
In March, he visited an East Austin mural on the corner of 12th and Chicon streets, where a portrait of him graces a utility box in front of a mural featuring African-American and Latino cultural icons such as Selena. Artist Chris Rogers included Overton in the new piece after the artist's original mural, painted in 2014, was removed.
Last summer, Overton's home of more than 70 years received major repairs that helped make his sanctuary safer and more accessible. Overton enjoyed central air and heating for the first time since he built the home in the 1940s. The makeover, provided by the Meals on Wheels Central Texas' home repair program, has allowed him to continue living in his own home.
Overton, who was born on May 11, 1906, in Bastrop County, served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945 as part of the all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion...Continued...
Read more: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/05/11/richard-overton-americas-oldest-wwii-veteran-turns-112.html
*MORE, 12 Things to Know about Richard Overton on His 112th Birthday:
1. Richard Overton was born in Bastrop County on May 11, 1906. Theodore Roosevelt was president, and it was less than a month after much of San Francisco was destroyed by an earthquake.
https://www.statesman.com/news/local/things-know-about-richard-overton-his-112th-birthday/j2raL1dgLy6W0zhCDYYBFK/
https://www.rsvlts.com/2018/05/11/richard-overton-112-year-old-world-war-ii-vet-oldest-man-america/
In this March 23, 2017 file photo, Richard Overton leaves the court after a presentation honoring him as the oldest living American war veteran, in a basketball game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs.
Richard Overton met with President Obama in the White House Blue Room in 2013.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I didn't live in a place with "central air" until 2016 (at age 54). 
That is something that was put in developments in the suburbs in the '50s and later, but did not exist in the older city homes (newer homes in the cities eventually had it included and some older homes were retrofitted for it).
I expect he had fans and/or window air-conditioners, although I know quite a few people who don't like AC (I'm not one of those however... 
).
I love to see stories like this. It gives you hope that nice guys don't always finish last. More power to 'ya, Mr. Overton, and may your next 112 years be as happy and productive as your first 112. Without the all the war and stuff though, naturally. 
honors what he has done for the country.
We need more Americans like him. Thank you for your service sir.
And many, many more!
Thank you for serving our country so well and so bravely.
"His favorite foods are catfish and gravy, corn, hamburgers, and macaroni and cheese" & butter pecan ice cream.
Statesman, May 2018, "12 Things to Know about Richard Overton for His 112th Birthday"
RICHARD OVERTON, the country’s oldest living U.S. veteran of World War II, turns 112 Friday. In honor of the big day, here are 12 things to know about one of Austin’s most-revered residents.
1. Richard Overton was born in Bastrop County on May 11, 1906. Theodore Roosevelt was president, and it was less than a month after much of San Francisco was destroyed by an earthquake.
2. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater with the Army’s all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion from 1942 to 1945. Overton’s tour of duty included Angaur, Peleliu and Iwo Jima.
3. After the war, he returned to Austin and has lived in the same house ever since. He worked in the furniture business and as a longtime aide at the Capitol, where he handled mail and deliveries.
4. 1960s Austin civil rights leader Volma Overton was his cousin.
5. For years, national and local media outlets called Overton “America’s oldest World War II veteran,” but it turns out they were wrong until a couple of years ago. At the time, 110-year-old Frank Levingston was not only America’s oldest living veteran, but also, for a couple of weeks, America’s oldest man. Levingston passed away in May 2016.
6. In December 2016, Overton’s family started a GoFundMe account to pay for his full-time home care. “Richard has outlived all of his closest relatives and is in need of 24/7 home care,” the GoFundMe site says. “We are asking for donations to keep him living in his home instead of a nursing home.” As of Thursday, more than $234,000 of the $400,000 goal had been raised.
7. He once said his favorite moment was seeing a black president elected. In his first visit to Washington in 2013, Overton was honored in front of a crowd of 4,000 people by President Barack Obama at a Veterans Day ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery.
8. His favorite foods are catfish and gravy, corn, hamburgers, and macaroni and cheese.
9. In April 2017, the Austin City Council passed a resolution to give Hamilton Avenue, the street where he lives, the honorary name Richard Overton Avenue. That recognition has only been given to five other residents, including Willie Nelson and Bettie Naylor...Continued...
Read More: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/things-know-about-richard-overton-his-112th-birthday/j2raL1dgLy6W0zhCDYYBFK/
