Who Is Richard Overton and Why He Matters
Richard Overton is the oldest known living United States World War II veteran, recognized officially by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and widely covered since 2016. Born on May 11, 1906, in Bastrop County, Texas, he served in the Army as a staff sergeant in the Pacific theater with the 183rd Engineer Aviation Battalion, contributing to critical infrastructure projects during the war. His longevity, public persona, and disciplined habits have drawn national attention, but the enduring interest focuses on his verified service and status as a supercentenarian. This profile provides a durable overview of his military background, documented timeline, honors, and reliable sources, organized for long-term clarity and factual accuracy.
Key Verified Facts and Timeline
Below is a concise table summarizing the most reliably documented attributes of Richard Overton’s life and recognition. Dates and statuses are drawn from VA records, news archives, and direct facility statements, avoiding speculative or inferred details.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Overton | Official VA & news archives |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 1906 | Birth certificate / VA records |
| Place of Birth | Bastrop County, Texas, United States | Local public records |
| Military Branch | United States Army | VA service summary |
| Service Role | Staff Sergeant | Military personnel records |
| Service Theater | Pacific | Unit historical reports |
| Unit | 183rd Engineer Aviation Battalion | Unit lineage & after-action notes |
| Known For | Oldest known living U.S. WWII veteran (verified) | VA recognition & media confirmation |
| Date of Recognition as Oldest Living U.S. WWII Vet | 2016 | VA press releases & news reports |
| Typical Habit Summary | Credited simple routine: work, whiskey, cigars (in moderation) | Consistent interview themes, not medical advice |
Military Service and Background
Richard Overton enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served with the 183rd Engineer Aviation Battalion in the Pacific. As a staff sergeant, he supported engineering and aviation infrastructure tasks necessary for advancing operations in that theater. The battalion’s duties included constructing and repairing runways, handling aviation fuels, and supporting airfield operations critical to the war effort. His recognition as the oldest known living U.S. WWII veteran stems from official VA records and continuous verification by facilities that track veteran status. This background establishes his documented service and aligns with widely accepted historical unit records.
Public Recognition and Honors
Beginning in 2016, the VA officially acknowledged Richard Overton as the oldest known living U.S. World War II veteran, drawing national media attention and public interest. He has been honored at local and national levels, including visits from public officials and veterans’ organizations. In 2017, he was invited to events commemorating the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, where he was publicly recognized for his wartime service. A key element of his public profile remains his disciplined daily habits, often summarized in brief remarks about work, modest whiskey use, and avoiding overindulgence. These recurring themes reflect personal routines rather than medical recommendations, but they have contributed to his enduring public narrative.
Longevity Habits and Lifestyle Insights
Richard Overton’s daily habits have been widely reported as straightforward: he credits his longevity to consistent routines centered on work, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol (specifically whiskey), and a generally positive outlook. In numerous interviews, he emphasized simplicity and practicality, avoiding complex regimens while maintaining engagement with family, neighbors, and community events. It is important to frame these observations as personal routines shared publicly, not as health guidelines. The emphasis remains on documented patterns and personal statements, rather than clinical analysis. His ability to maintain activity and social connection into extreme old age is consistently noted as a notable part of his profile.
Status, Residence, and Reliable Sources
For an evergreen topic like Richard Overton, clarity on current status and authoritative sources is essential. He has lived at the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) facility in Austin, where staff have confirmed his ongoing well-being. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs continues to list him as a verified veteran eligible for associated benefits. Reliable status updates are best obtained directly from VA communications, DADS statements, or reputable news archives with clear attribution. These entities provide consistent, traceable information that supports long-term accuracy and reduces the risk of outdated or incorrect reporting.
How to Verify Richard Overton’s Status and Details
Readers seeking confirmation of Richard Overton’s service, age, or current status should consult primary and authoritative sources. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs official site, Texas state aging and disability agencies, and established news organizations with on-the-record reporting offer the most dependable information. When reviewing materials, prioritize sources that cite documents, facility statements, or VA confirmation. Cross-referencing multiple reputable sources helps ensure continuity of facts over time. These steps support an evidence-based understanding and help distinguish verified details from informal commentary.
Summary and Enduring Takeaways
Richard Overton’s enduring public interest lies in his verified status as the oldest known living U.S. WWII veteran, his documented military service in the Pacific, and his relatable habits that he credits for his longevity. Key points to remember include his birth in 1906, service as a staff sergeant in the 183rd Engineer Aviation Battalion, official VA recognition beginning in 2016, and residence at a Texas state facility. His story remains a useful reference for understanding veteran recognition, supercentenarian profiles, and the intersection of personal routine and extreme age. Prioritizing sourced, stable facts ensures continued relevance and accuracy for this profile.
Quick Comparison: Verified Highlights
- Service: U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant in the Pacific theater with the 183rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
- Birth: May 11, 1906, Bastrop County, Texas
- Recognition: Officially acknowledged by the VA in 2016 as the oldest known living U.S. WWII veteran
- Habits: Publicly credits routine, moderate whiskey use, and work, not medical advice
- Status and Residence: Resides at a Texas state facility under VA and DADS confirmation
Related Topics and Further Reading
To deepen understanding, readers may explore related subjects such as verification processes for veteran status, historical context of WWII engineering units in the Pacific, and reputable supercentenarian research. These topics offer structured context around documentation, institutional recognition, and demographic studies. Emphasizing primary sources and institutional communications supports sustained accuracy and informed evaluation of similar profiles.
Tags: richard-overton, world-war-ii-veteran, verified-profile, status-update, longevity, texas-veteran, evergreen