Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP/Shutterstock
Lawrence Brooks, who was the oldest living U.S. veteran of World War II, died on Wednesday in New Orleans at age 112.
Born on Sept. 12, 1909, Brooks was drafted into the Army when he was 31 and spent World War II as a member of the U.S. Army’s 91st Engineer Battalion, a primarily African American division, the museum said on itswebsite.
In a tribute to the supercentenarian onsocial media, the museum said Brooks insisted his secret to a long life was: “Serve God, and be nice to people.”
PHOTO: The National WWII Museum/FacebookPHOTO: Gerald Herbert/AP/Shutterstock
ActorGary Sinise, who famously played Lieutenant Dan Taylor in 1994’sForrest Gumpand has helped veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation, mourned the veteran’s death on social media.
“An American hero passed away this morning. Lawrence Brooks, the oldest living WWII vet at 112 years old,” hewroteon Twitter, alongside a photograh of the pair together.
“Here we are at National WWII Museum in New Orleans when he was 106 years old,” Sinise added of the photograph showing a smiling Brooks. “He certainly had an incredible long life. God bless you sir. An honor to know you. Rest In Peace.”
PresidentJoe Bidenalso posted atributeto social media in honor of Brooks.
“I’m saddened to learn that Lawrence Brooks – who was the oldest surviving U.S. WWII veteran – has passed,” a post to Biden’s Twitter account reads. “I had the honor of speaking with him last year, and he was truly the best of America. I’m keeping his loved ones in my prayers.”
Whenhe returned home from the war in 1945after being honorably discharged as a private first class, Brooks settled back in New Orleans, where he worked as a forklift operator until 1979, when he retired, according to theUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs.
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In May 2020, Brooks spoke toNational Geographicabout his time in the war.
“I had some good times and I had some bad times,” he told the outlet. “I just tried to put all the good ones and the bad ones together and tried to forget about all of them.”
source: people.com
