An excerpt from the FoxNews report:
Born in Missouri in 1901 and raised in Oklahoma, Buckles visited a string of military recruiters after the United States entered the "war to end all wars" in April 1917. He was rejected by the Marines and the Navy, but eventually persuaded an Army captain he was 18 and enlisted, convincing him Missouri didn't keep public records of birth.
Buckles sailed for England in 1917 on the Carpathia, which is known for its rescue of Titanic survivors, and spent his tour of duty working mainly as a driver and a warehouse clerk in Germany and France. He rose to the rank of corporal and after Armistice Day he helped return prisoners of war to Germany.
Buckles later traveled the world working for the shipping company White Star Line and was in the Philippines in 1940 when the Japanese invaded. He became a prisoner of war for nearly three years.
While he's being honored for his service in World War I, it sounds like he had a much harder time in World War II.
Wow, now that is a long, full life! Cool story! Last I knew we were down to three WWI vets, guess he's the last!
Liked the McCain story too. I won't vote for him assuming Obama is in it, but I admire him far more than I ever could W.
Posted by: Erik | 05/28/2008 at 05:47 PM