World War II Veterans

[dimreaper 713]

 

The History Channel put out this video back in 2016 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. It features well over a dozen veterans who took part in the Attack. As of 2024, it appears only Bob Fernandez (4 minute mark) is still alive. Apologies in advance if he's already been mentioned on this thread.

 

https://www.recordnet.com/picture-gallery/lifestyle/2024/07/15/pearl-harbor-vet-turns-100/74388813007/

[YoungWillz 21,179]

On 18/05/2023 at 17:22, arghton said:

As we're listing lasts...

 

Finnish Infantry Regiment 200 aka. "soomepoisid" ("Finnish Boys"). Estonian volunteers who fought for Finland. 

There were 134 at the start of 2017. This article from early 2021 says that there are 15 living in Estonia and "around twenty" outside Estonia. A very recent source says there are have been only four in Estonia since Oliver Tammsalu died a month ago. Soomepoisid facebook said in June 2022 that there should be a total of around 18 alive.

 

Addold Mossin, 103: Neopaganist and political activist. According to online telephone directories, lives in Sweden's Täby. Alive as of December 2022, but last appearance was September 2016 and he was already decrepit back then. Died on the 16th of March 2024.

 

Erich Anton, 96: In good health last summer. Died 7 September 2023.

 

Taavi Kaups, 96: Lives in Chicago. Was using a frame in 2021. Died 8 February 2024.

 

Lembit Kaselaan, 98: Not in best health but was well enough to be interviewed last year. Died 30 May 2023.

 

Gustav Pitka, 98: Been a while since his last appearance.

 

Edgar Mänd, 98: "In good health" but not seen in years.

 

Heino Sepp, 96: As above.

 

Riho Leipalu, 99: Lives in an apartment building/care home in Rönninge, Sweden. Died on the 30th of November 2023.

 

Jaanus Jahilo, 98: Able to walk without aid and still attending events frequently. Probably in the best health out of this group.

 

Artur Roopalu, 98: Still attending events but uses a walking stick.

 

Raivo Rähni, 98: Alive according to Soomepoisid facebook.

 

Endel Hert, 97: As above.

 

Harri Mutvei, 97: Paleozoologist apparently still working! Lives in Stockholm, Sweden. Died on the 1st of June 2024.

 

Sulev Suurkivi, 98

 

Henry Heino Kivi, 99/100: Alive in 2020 according to Finland's Sotaveteraaniliitto and the Soomepoisid facebook wished him a happy birthday in 2023. 

Artur Roopalu reportedly dead: https://www.hs.fi/alueet/art-2000010832950.html

[arghton 6,865]

Finnish blogger, businessman, WWII veteran and local niche celebrity Yrjö Saraste turns 101 and is currently hospitalised.

[Sinbabad 1,155]

On 18/05/2023 at 18:22, arghton said:

Finnish Infantry Regiment 200 aka. "soomepoisid" ("Finnish Boys"). Estonian volunteers who fought for Finland. 

 

Edgar Mänd, 98: "In good health" but not seen in years.

Edgar Mänd died on 12 November at 99.

[Sinbabad 1,155]

On 18/05/2023 at 18:22, arghton said:

Finnish Infantry Regiment 200 aka. "soomepoisid" ("Finnish Boys"). Estonian volunteers who fought for Finland. 

 

Gustav Pitka, 98: Been a while since his last appearance.

 

Jaanus Jahilo, 98: Able to walk without aid and still attending events frequently. Probably in the best health out of this group.

 

Henry Heino Kivi, 99/100: Alive in 2020 according to Finland's Sotaveteraaniliitto and the Soomepoisid facebook wished him a happy birthday in 2023. 

From Facebook group that I quoted above:

 

Gustav Pitka has just turned 100

 

Henry Heino Kivi died aged 100 on 8 October.

 

Jaanus Jahilo died aged 99 on 29 September.

[Sinbabad 1,155]

On 07/12/2023 at 15:11, Alex B said:

Here's an updated list as of December 2023:

 

Ailsa Stewart [Women's Royal Naval Service].

(1914-)

Ailsa Stewart has died on 5 May.

[Gisooo 3,462]

Maria Limanskaya (Wiki), Soviet military traffic guard, member of Red Army traffic control units, serving for three years during World War II dead at 100

 

[Neol Edmunds 84]

John Tinniswood dead at 112.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/world-s-oldest-man-dies-in-southport-care-home/ar-AA1uM60N?PC=EMMX01

[Gisooo 3,462]

On 06/07/2023 at 07:18, drol said:

Walkiria Terradura dead at 99.

 

As far as I can see only two woman survivor from Italian Resistance

 

Paola Del Din (Wiki), born 1923, 101 years old

 

 

Teresa Vergalli (Wiki), born 1927, 97 years old

 

[maryportfuncity 10,682]

On 26/11/2024 at 11:28, Neol Edmunds said:

John Tinniswood dead at 112.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/world-s-oldest-man-dies-in-southport-care-home/ar-AA1uM60N?PC=EMMX01

 

 

He made 112 and the package BBC News had pre-prepared on him included him being served a decent portion of fish and chips in his care home

 

All the excuse I need to head out to the chippie over the weekend!

[drol 12,123]

10 hours ago, Gisooo said:

 

As far as I can see only two woman survivor from Italian Resistance

 

Paola Del Din (Wiki), born 1923, 101 years old

 

 

Teresa Vergalli (Wiki), born 1927, 97 years old

 

There are many many more I guess. To cite a notable one, Ivanne Trebbi (wiki), born 1928 and also a deputy in the 80s.

[Gisooo 3,462]

I was doing a search for the last surviving veterans of LANÇ (National Liberation Movement of Albania)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Liberation_Movement_(Albania)

 

There are many names over 90+ who are still alive but they don't have an article on Wikipedia. If I found more I'll edit the post.

 

1) Ismet Elezi (b. April 5, 1920) - aged 104

 

 

2) Azis Hima (b. April 21, 1923) - aged 101

 

 

3) Ismail Xhepi (b. August 2, 1923) - aged 101

 

 

4) Astrit Leka (b. December 21, 1924) - aged 100

 

 

5) Rexhep Topi (b. October 18, 1924) - aged 100

 

 

6) Njazi Jaho (born April 24, 1924) - aged 100

 

 

7) Luan Omari (born June 10, 1925) - aged 99

 

 

8) Zef Kola (born September 15, 1925) - aged 99

 

 

9) Stillo Papadhima (born May 10, 1925) - aged 99

 

 

10) Ksanthipi Bufi (born December 6, 1927) - aged 97 (Former Prime Minister of Albania Ylli Bufi Wiki mother)

 

 

11) Jakup Koruni (born September 13, 1927) - aged 97

 

 

12) Qemal Bego (born October 10, 1927) - aged 97

 

 

13) Sofokli Tere (born April 28, 1928) - aged 96

 

 

14) Ali Xhakaj (born October 13, 1929) - aged 95

 

 

15) Lek Pervizi (born March 2, 1929) - aged 95

 

 

16) Hulusi Hako (born October 10, 1930) - aged 94

 

 

17) Zenepe Osmani (born October 15, 1930) - aged 94

 

 

 

Some others who are alive, probably born between 1924 and 1927

 

Naxhi Zhupa (?)

 

 

Sanie Gjoni (?)

 

 

Klara Merlika (?)

 

[Ulitzer95 12,843]

On 19/12/2023 at 13:15, drol said:

Here are the final Ritchie Boys notable for other reasons:

 

1)Victor Brombert (1923): literary scholar

2)Harold Zvi Schiffrin (1921): Sinologist

3)Arno J. Mayer (1926): historian.

 

If Mayer is dead as per Wiki edits, only 2 left and both above 100.

Victor Brombert (wiki) dead at 101 according to this Facebook post.

 

All 3 names from your list are now dead.

[The Old Crem 3,628]

The Grandad of actress Vicky McClure, Ralph McClure has died aged 99. He was a D Day veteran who appeared in a wonderful documentary about his return visit to Normandy a couple of years ago. 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5341kepwdo

https://www.itv.com/watch/vicky-mcclure:-my-grandad's-war/10a3075

[Ulitzer95 12,843]

On 30/11/2024 at 23:51, Ulitzer95 said:

Victor Brombert (wiki) dead at 101 according to this Facebook post.

 

All 3 names from your list are now dead.

Bruce Henderson, who did a feature on 6 of the surviving Ritchie Boys, just tweeted about Brombert's death.

Confirms he's the last of the 6 featured to die. Makes me wonder how many are left altogether.

Bromberg should in theory now get a NYT obit, though 4 days on still nothing in the news about his passing.

[Sinbabad 1,155]

On 07/12/2023 at 15:11, Alex B said:

Here's an updated list as of December 2023:

 

Herbert "Drum" Druce [Royal Air Force Spitfire flight engineer].

(1915-)

 

Angelina Searles [Japanese Invasion of Corregidor].

(1915-)

 

Rinaldo Duranti [Royal Italian Army/Regio Esercito].

(1915-)

 

Lake White [Rosie the Riveter munitions worker].

(1915-)

 

Mihaila Ion [Romanian Armed Forces].

(1916-)

 

Jean Sevin [Free French Forces].

(1916-)

 

Al Klugiewicz [United States Army Thunderbolt division, Horse Cavalry, & Normandy Landings].

(1916-)

 

Edward Trevland [Royal Norwegian Navy]

(1917-)

 

Kurt Gigler [Heer/Wehrmacht].

(1917-)

 

Eunice Byers.

[Last surviving eyewitness to the Battle of Bamber Bridge]

(1917-)

 

Betty Gemmell [Labour Force worker of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia].

(1917-)

 

Robert Coyreau des Loges [Free French Forces].

(1917-)

 

William Precek [48th Evacuation Hospital Unit of the United States Army].

(1917-)

 

Lloyd Gathright [United States Army].

(1917-)

 

Clarence Sheley [United States Navy].

(1917-)

 

Genevieve Freer [United States War Bonds labour worker].

(1917-)

 

Arnold Von Der Porten [The Holocaust].

(1917-)

Herbert Druce died on 7 May at 109.

 

Angelina Searles died on 24 March at 109.

 

Rinaldo Duranti died in January at 108.

 

Lake White died on 12 November at 109.

 

Mihaila Ion died on 2 October at 108.

 

Jean Sevin died on 24 February at 107

 

Al Klugiewicz died on 7 July at 108.

 

Edward (Edvard) Trevland died on 16 December 2023 at 106.

 

Kurt Gigler died on 11 April at 107.

 

Eunice Byers died on 20 May at 107.

 

Betty Gemmell died in June at 107.

 

Robert Coyreau des Loges died on 17 September at 107.

 

William Precek died on 22 May at 106.

 

Lloyd Gathright died on 25 August at 106.

 

Clarence Sheley died on 25 May at 106.

 

Genevieve Freer died last Saturday 30 November at 107.

 

Arnold Von Der Porten died on 7 February at 106.

 

For now I’ve searched people born until 1917, I will check the rest later.

Edited December 6 by Sinbabad

[Ulitzer95 12,843]

Alex B doesn't seem to be active anymore. Would be better if someone copy and pasted his list then scored names off who have died so that we don't keep reporting these over and over again.

[MortalCaso 1,640]

On 08/12/2023 at 02:00, The Immortal said:

So December 7th has happened and I do have some Pearl Harbor Survivor updates for you.

 

Ike Schab ended up making it to Hawaii after all, as did Freeman Johnson, Herb Elfring and two survivors I weren't aware of, Harry Chandler and Ken Stevens. There were apparently another man expected (not named), but he wasn't feeling well so he missed the ceremony. Lou Conter didn't attend either. https://www.kcra.com/article/survivors-of-pearl-harbor-attack-returning-to-honor-those-who-perished/46063789 

 

There's also 106 year old Bill Monforte, who's most definitely the oldest living survivor. I can also confirm Sterling Cale is still alive. Not counting the anonymous survivor who missed the ceremonies, here are the remaining survivors.

 

Louis Conter (102)

Ike Schab (103)

Freeman Johnson (103)

Bill Monfort (106)

Harry Chandler (102)

Herb Elfring (101)

Ken Stevens (102)

Sterling Cale (102)

Only 2 made it this year.

Saw a article mentioning 16 survivors still living.

[Sinbabad 1,155]

On 07/12/2024 at 22:50, MortalCaso said:

Only 2 made it this year.

Saw a article mentioning 16 survivors still living.

Pearl Harbor survivor Robert Fernandez died yesterday aged 100. The article says that "his death brings the number of Pearl Harbor survivors to a little more than a dozen".

[ObakeFilter 962]

On 12/11/2024 at 20:33, dimreaper said:

 

The History Channel put out this video back in 2016 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. It features well over a dozen veterans who took part in the Attack. As of 2024, it appears only Bob Fernandez (4 minute mark) is still alive. Apologies in advance if he's already been mentioned on this thread.

 

https://www.recordnet.com/picture-gallery/lifestyle/2024/07/15/pearl-harbor-vet-turns-100/74388813007/

Not anymore.

 

"Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old survivor of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died shortly after deteriorating health prompted him to skip a trip to Hawaii to attend last week’s remembrance ceremony marking the 83rd anniversary of the attack."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/13/pearl-harbor-survivor-dies-aged-100?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu

 

Edit: *SIGH*, search didn't pick up the latest post obviously

[arghton 6,865]

Rajindar Singh Dhatt, 103-year-old Indian veteran and founder of "Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association" presented MBE. 

[dimreaper 713]

On 11/12/2024 at 23:18, Sinbabad said:

............"his death brings the number of Pearl Harbor survivors to a little more than a dozen".

 

That number was estimated to be 2700 back in December of 2011.

[Ulitzer95 12,843]

On 18/05/2024 at 11:09, drol said:

He was something more than just a veteran. He was one of the last flying aces of WW2, and the last living American triple ace. 

 

German ace Hugo Broch, born exactly a week before him, survives him, and still seems to be doing well. I can't think of other notable aces from WW2 left at the moment, though surely someone more is still there.

 

EDIT: Perry J. Dahl (wiki) minor but still alive at 101.

Perry J. Dahl (wiki) dead at 101.

Death notice.

Died at the start of the month with no fanfare. If Richard G. Candelaria is indeed dead then there are no more living American aces from WWII.

[Ulitzer95 12,843]

31 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said:

Perry J. Dahl (wiki) dead at 101.

Death notice.

Died at the start of the month with no fanfare. If Richard G. Candelaria is indeed dead then there are no more living American aces from WWII.

Confirmation that Richard G. Candelaria (wiki) is also dead.

No more U.S. WWII flying aces.