Death of Richard Overton, the oldest American veteran of the Second World War and the oldest man in the United States.



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The death was confirmed to CNN by Shirley Overton, a family member.

Overton would have been 113 on May 11, 2019.

The veteran had been hospitalized for pneumonia, his family said.

Overton volunteered for the army from 1942 and served with the 188th Aviation Engineering Battalion, an entirely black unit that served in various Pacific islands.

"He was in Pearl Harbor when the battleships were still smoking, and he was there in Okinawa and Iwo Jima, where he said," I only came out of there by the grace of God, "said the officer. Former President Barack Obama at a ceremony commemorating Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery in 2013.

Overton told CNN at the time that he was not there. Did not like to think or talk about the war, claiming that he "had forgotten all that."

Overton had been living for a long time in Austin, Texas, according to a CNN affiliate KXAN, living on a street – Richard Overton Avenue – was renamed for him.

He told CNN in 2013 that he recognized that God lived so long, but that he was not taking any medicine and that he was enjoying vices

"I drink whiskey in my coffee. Sometimes I drink it right, "he says, as if he were 107." I smoke my cigars, blow the smoke; I do not swallow it. "

In a statement Thursday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott called Overton" an American icon and Texas legend. "

" With his quick wit and benevolent spirit, he touched the life of many, and I am deeply honored to know him, "said Abbott. Richard Overton has made us proud to be Texans and to be Americans. We can never repay Richard Overton for his service to the nation and for his lasting impact on the Lone Star State. "

In 2015, Overton was the subject of a short documentary titled" Mr. Overton "Austin-based directors Rocky Conly and Matt Cooper.

He stated in the film that" He liked to eat soup, corn and fish, and drink milk.

"And ice cream. I eat ice cream every night. That makes me happy, "he said, especially the pecan butter, he said.

" I always walk, I always talk, and I always drive, "said Overton on the camera, before jump into his Ford F100 Custom van. 19659002] Overton also stated in the film that he liked going to church, love to sing and love to take care of his cats.

The family and Overton's friends celebrated his 112th birthday in May by visiting him at his home, KXAN reported.

"I feel good every day," KXAN told photographers at the time. "No pain or muscle aches." Overton reportedly told television host and comedian Steve Harvey: "Stay alive, do not die."

Konstantin Toropin, of CNN, contributed to this article

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