Story at a glance
- The oldest World War II veteran in the country passed away on Wednesday at the age of 112.
- Louisiana native Lawrence N. Brooks was drafted into the war at the age of 31 and stationed in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines.
- Given that the U.S. armed forces were segregated during the war, Brooks spent his time in almost all African American units and was tasked with non-combat work.
The oldest World War II veteran in the United States, and believed to be the oldest man in the country, Lawrence N. Brooks, passed away Wednesday at the age of 112, the National WWII Museum announced.
Brooks was born on Sept. 12, 1909 and was one of 15 children raised in Norwood, La., a small village north of Baton Rouge. At the age of 31, he was drafted into the United States Army and spent his time during the war in the mostly African American 91st Engineer Battalion and was stationed in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines.
The veteran was classified as service personnel, so Brooks cooked and cleaned for three of the battalion’s white officers and reached the rank of private first class, according to the museum’s website.
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The United States armed forces were segregated during World War II, and most of the 1.2 million African Americans who served were assigned to noncombat units and service roles like transportation, supply maintenance and service duties, Vice President of Education and Access at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans told The Associated Press (AP).
It was not until 1948 that the country’s armed forces would become desegregated.
When Brooks returned home after the war, he worked as a forklift driver for 40 years and is remembered not only for his service but for his positive attitude, kindness and sense of humor, according to the AP.
When asked for the secret to his longevity, he repeatedly said “be nice to people,” according to the museum’s site.
Brooks is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren, according to the museum. His wife passed away in 2008.
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