Oldest American WWII veteran turns 111 with a cigar in hand

Richard Overton has lived in his East Austin home for the past 72 years and is more often than not spotted in his porch, listening to R&B and smoking cigars. But Overton isn’t just your regular neighbour; he is, in fact, the oldest living American World War II veteran.

On Thursday (11^th May) Overton celebrated his 111^th birthday with a neighbourhood party at Hamilton Avenue. He requested his guests brought whisky with them, as he adds a drop to his coffee in the morning. When asked about what kind he’d prefer, he replied: “I like any kind you’ll bring me.”

Guests to his party were also able to witness the new street name granted to Hamilton Avenue by the Austin City Council. Signs bearing the name “Richard Overton Avenue” have now been erected after the Blackshear Neighbourhood Association and Austin’s Commission on Veterans Affairs initiated the honorary naming process.

Celebrity status

Overton was born in Bastrop County in 1906 and served in the Pacific Theatre with the Army’s all-black 1887^th Engineer Aviation Battalion from 1942 to 1945. Now, he spends his twilight years enjoying his new-found celebrity status.

In 2013, he met President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House. Biden also recently stopped to see him at his house. Speaking about the visit, Overton said:

“It was a nice visit. I just talk to him like I do to you. He’s human.”

The San Antonio Spurs honoured Overton with a camouflage jersey made for him with the number 110 on the back in honour of his last birthday, and he has also featured alongside Vince Vaughn in Cigar Aficionado magazine.

But has he let fame goes to his head? Of course he hasn’t! Speaking of his new-found status, he said: “It’s all right. It’s something different. I like it.”

It was most certainly his status which has helped him remain on his porch, puffing away on stogies. Overton’s family set up a GoFundMe page to hire 24/7 care, and donations poured in across the country. His family hope the donations continue to come in, as Overton’s health seems to be better than ever!

“Treat yourself”

The donations have helped to keep Overton in his favourite spot on the porch, where you will find him humming while cigar smoke swirls around his head. It’s not a surprise to find him on six or seventh cigar by mid-afternoon!

“But I don’t inhale,” he said. “I still feel the same smoking as I did when I was 18. If anything, I’m a stronger smoker now. Oh, yeah. I blow out.”

As he got older, Overton has learned to savour the little joys in life, like catfish, gravy, burgers, mac and cheese and cigars, of course. And he has a piece of advice for everyone out there:

“You’ve gotta learn to treat yourself, you know?”

Photo courtesy of Jordan Bonardi