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The oldest American veteran, Richard Overton, who served in the army during World War II and credited God, whiskey and cigars for his remarkable longevity, died on Thursday in Texas at age of 112 years,
. Her family was hospitalized last week due to pneumonia.
Shirley Overton, whose husband is Richard's cousin, said the vet died Thursday night at a drug rehab center in Austin.
American living, was born in 1906 in Bastrop County, just outside Austin, Texas.
Overton was in his thirties when he volunteered for the army and was in Pearl Harbor right after the Japanese surprise attack of 1941.
A veteran of the Second World War World War II served in the all-black 1887th Engineer-Engineer Battalion of 1942-1945, a period that included stops at Angaur, Palau; Peleliu, Micronesia; and Iwo Jima, Japan
On the occasion of Veterans Day in 2013, as reported in FOX 7 Austin, former President Barack Obama paid tribute to Overton in front of thousands of people in the capital city. "His service on the battlefield was not always matched by the respect he deserved at home. But this veteran has his head up, "said Obama.
One could often see Overton in the porch of his house, which he had built in East Austin in 1945.
Austin who continues to give, "said last summer l & # 39; Overton's friend, Steve Wiener. "He is a crackerjack. When people feel their humor and mischief, it eases everyone's pace.
His favorite pastime smoked his 12 daily cigars under the porch that his friends called his "scene".
He lived in his street since returning from the war. This street was named in his honor for his 111th birthday last year.
He was grateful to be the most veteran of the country. And he offered this twisted advice to live long: "Keep on living, do not die."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
