Richard Arvin Overton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Arvin Overton
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Overton on Veterans Day 2017
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| Birth name | Richard Arvin Overton |
| Born | May 11, 1906 Bastrop County, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 2018 (aged 112 years, 230 days) Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank |  Technician fifth grade |
| Unit | 188th Engineer Aviation Battalion (Colored) |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards |  Combat Infantryman Badge Bronze Star Medal U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Meritorious Unit Commendation Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge |
Richard Arvin Overton (born May 11, 1906 – died December 27, 2018) was an American man who lived to be 112 years old. He was the oldest confirmed World War II veteran in the United States. He was also the oldest man in the country for a time.
Richard Overton served in the United States Army during the war. In 2013, he was honored by President Barack Obama. He lived in Austin, Texas, from 1945 until he passed away in 2018.
Early Life
Richard Overton was born in Bastrop County, Texas. His parents were Gentry Overton, Sr. and Elizabeth Franklin Overton Waters.
Military Service and Work
Overton joined the United States Army on September 3, 1940. He served in the South Pacific from 1940 to 1945. During his service, he visited places like Hawaii, Guam, Palau, and Iwo Jima. He left the U.S. Army in October 1945.
After the war, Overton worked at furniture stores. Later, he got a job with the Texas Department of the Treasury in Austin. He was married twice but did not have any children.
Later Years and Recognition
Richard Overton became well-known in 2013. He was featured on Fox News during Memorial Day weekend. He shared that he enjoyed his daily routine, which included cigars and coffee. On that same Memorial Day, he met with Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Overton was also invited to the White House. There, he met with President Barack Obama. He also attended the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. President Obama even mentioned him by name during his speech.
On March 24, 2017, Overton was honored during a basketball game. This happened during a half-time break between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies.
A documentary called Mr. Overton was made about him in 2016. In the film, he talked about his daily life and his military service. On May 3, 2016, he became the oldest living American veteran. This happened after another veteran, Frank Levingston, passed away.
On May 11, 2016, Overton turned 110 years old. After Clarence Matthews passed away in July 2017, Overton became the oldest living man in America. Richard Overton passed away on December 27, 2018, at the age of 112.
Personal Life
Richard Overton lived in Austin, Texas, for many years. On December 11, 2014, Austin Community College gave him an honorary degree. This is the highest award the college gives. He was a member of the Church of Christ and went to church regularly.
In 2018, some of Overton's money was taken from his bank account. His family announced that Bank of America was able to get the money back for him. People also helped him by donating over $420,000 through a GoFundMe account. This money helped pay for his care at home.
See also
In Spanish: Richard Arvin Overton para niños
