Homage to the Last Doughboy

It's no secret to those who know me that I am a HUGE history nerd, and I really don't see that as a bad thing. This is a story that I think deserves much more attention than it is getting:

The Greatest Generation...I'd like to think most of us know who they are...Gen Y, in case you were unaware, they are most likely your grandparents. Almost as sad as my generation's dissonance, is not much is mentioned about the Lost Generation, the kids who came of age during, and consequently fought, in World War I. On Sunday, February 28, 2010, Frank Buckles passed away at 110 years old. Mr. Buckles was the last remaining US WWI survivor.
(above: Frank Buckles, 110. Photo credit: cnn.com)

This means that there are only TWO WWI veterans left...did you catch that? Just TWO. Interestingly, one of whom is a woman, Florence Green, who joined the British Royal Air Force at 17 years old in September of 1918 (by the way she celebrated her 110th birthday on February 19th). The other, Claude Choules, 109 (March 3, 1901), who is now the only veteran left to have served in both World Wars. Think on this: these are the only two people left in the world who can provide a first hand account of experiences in WWI. Visit Order of the First World War for more information.

Next up...

The Last American Doughboy:

President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917 after the publication of the Zimmerman Note, as well as Germany's continuance of unrestricted submarine warfare. That summer, Frank Buckles age 16...lied about his age and enlisted with the Marine Corps, joining the 4 million Americans who would soon be fighting in Europe. Much to his disappointment, Buckles didn't see much combat as he was assigned as an escort, and later was appointed to ambulance driver (he was in good company; Walt Disney and Ray Kroc (founder of McDonalds) were also ambulance drivers).
(right: Frank Buckles. Photo: credit:pershingslastpatriot.com/frank/)


After WWI, Buckles continued his service during WWII, as a ship's officer on merchant ships. He was captured by the Japanese and held captive for over three years.

Buckles became an advocate for the memorial of WWI and its veterans, and considered it his personal responsibility to make Washington listen. According to CNN, renovations to the dilapidated WWI memorial began last fall, though Buckles was unable to attend to oversee the improvements.

As it should be, Frank Buckles will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, and then some. U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, has proposed for a memorial in the U.S Capitol in which Buckles' casket will be displayed with honors.

I think Secretary Robert Gates put it best,

"The First World War is not well understood or remembered in the United States. There is no big memorial on the National Mall. Hollywood has not turned its gaze in this direction for decades. Yet few events have so markedly shaped the world we live in." (via cnn.com)

Time is fleeting, as is history. It is strange to me that the passing of our last WWI veteran has been merely a blip on the media radar...but Charlie Sheen's debauchery is front page news. Backwards no?

Click here to learn more about Frank Buckles on the website dedicated to his memory.

Go to cnn.com to read the full article on America's last veteran.