Lawrence Brooks (American veteran) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lawrence Brooks
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Brooks in 1941
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| Born | September 12, 1909 Norwood, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | January 5, 2022 (aged 112 years, 115 days) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Private first class |
| Unit | 91st Engineer Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Lawrence Brooks (born September 12, 1909 – died January 5, 2022) was an American soldier who fought in World War II. He was known for being the oldest living man in the United States for a time. Mr. Brooks was also the oldest known American veteran of World War II. He was one of the last men in the world born in the 1900s. He lived to be 112 years old.
Early Life
Lawrence Brooks was born on September 12, 1909. He grew up in a town called Norwood, Louisiana. He had a very large family with 14 brothers and sisters. His family moved around a bit when he was very young. They settled in the small town of Stephenson. Lawrence did not go to a regular school. He was taught at home instead.
Military Service
Mr. Brooks joined the army in 1940 when he was 31 years old. He was working at a sawmill at the time. He left the army after one year of required service. However, he rejoined after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This event led the United States into World War II.
He served in the 91st Engineer Battalion. This unit was part of the United States Army. He served in places like New Guinea and the Philippines. These areas were part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II. He was a soldier from 1941 to 1945. He reached the rank of private first class.
Mr. Brooks's unit was an engineering group. Their main job was to build important things like roads and bridges. At that time, the army was separated by race. Because of this, Mr. Brooks also helped white officers with their daily tasks.
While serving in Australia, Mr. Brooks noticed something important. He felt that white people there treated him better. This was different from how he was treated in the United States before the civil rights movement.
Later Life
After his time in the military, Mr. Brooks worked in New Orleans. He was a forklift operator until he retired. He had five children. His wife, Leona, passed away after Hurricane Katrina.
In the mid-2010s, The National WWII Museum started a special tradition. They began to host a birthday party for Mr. Brooks every year. In 2020, his celebration was very special. It included World War II airplanes flying over his house. A singing group called the "Victory Belles" also performed. They sang popular songs from the 1940s. The city of New Orleans also honored his birthday. They made an official announcement to celebrate him.
His Passing
Lawrence Brooks passed away on January 5, 2022. He was in his home in New Orleans. He was 112 years old. His daughter, Vanessa Brooks, shared the news. She told Military Times magazine about his death. She said he had been visiting the New Orleans VA Hospital often.
After his passing, many people shared tributes. Actor Gary Sinise posted a message on Twitter. Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards also shared his thoughts. He said he was sad to hear of Mr. Brooks's death. Governor Edwards called him "America’s oldest World War II veteran and a proud Louisianan." President Joe Biden also spoke about Mr. Brooks. He said that Mr. Brooks was "truly the best of America."
See also
In Spanish: Lawrence Brooks para niños
