Oldest U.S. WWI vet dies at 109

[Bryson C]

Oldest U.S. WWI vet dies in Ohio at 109



By JOHN SEEWER, Associated Press Writer Fri Dec 21, 11:47 AM ET
TOLEDO, Ohio - J. Russell Coffey, the oldest known surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, has died. The retired teacher, one of only three U.S. veterans from the "war to end all wars," was 109.

Coffey died Thursday at the Briar Hill Health Campus in North Baltimore, where he had lived for the past four or five years, said Gaye Boggs, nursing director at the nursing home. No cause of death has been determined, she said Friday. His health began failing in October.

"We're sure going to miss him," Boggs said. "He was our most famous resident, that's for sure."

More than 4.7 million Americans joined the military from 1917-1918. Coffey never saw combat because he was still in basic training when the war ended.

The two remaining U.S. veterans are Frank Buckles, 106, of Charles Town, W.Va.; and Harry Richard Landis, 108, of Sun City Center, Fla., according to the Veterans Affairs Department. In addition, John Babcock, 107, of Spokane, Wash., served in the Canadian army and is the last known Canadian veteran of the war.


Full story (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071221/ap_on_re_us/obit_coffey)

[MoFo]

What a grand age, Sleep tight old boy.

[wicked_hind]

Rest In Peace, old soldier.

[Anthony91]

Rest in Peace sir.

[semurois]

Respect for a US veteran,on the part of a french.
Whether he is thanked for his assistance...........

Rest in peace............

[wotsnext]

What an amazing century to have lived through.....In a way he has seen three centurys........Rest in Peace.

[James]

Godspeed old timer. Thank you.

[Hollis]

Rest In Peace.

[qsceszwsx]

rip the last of a great generation , we only have 1 left in canada

[rolls]

This is the stupidist thing ive ever seen posted. Im sorry i have respect for members of the Allied armed services but this is rediculous.

So he signs up 1month before the war ends. Is still in basic training and yet he is a Veteran of the War?

Kudos to him for steppign up but please, hes no more a veteran of WW1 then a fresh recruit in basic triainig is a veteran of the current Iraq Conflict.

Anyone who wishes to enlighten me on anything i might have missed feel free too. But this is a silly story.

[Buckeye67]

Rest easy, Mr. Coffey.


This is the stupidist thing ive ever seen posted. Im sorry i have respect for members of the Allied armed services but this is rediculous.

So he signs up 1month before the war ends. Is still in basic training and yet he is a Veteran of the War?

Kudos to him for steppign up but please, hes no more a veteran of WW1 then a fresh recruit in basic triainig is a veteran of the current Iraq Conflict.

Anyone who wishes to enlighten me on anything i might have missed feel free too. But this is a silly story.

How about you enlighten us as to what you've done that qualifies you to **** up a thread honoring a man, who has passed away, that served his country during a time of conflict?

Yes, the people who wrote the article could possibly have used the term "World War 1 Era Veteran" - but it hardly qualifies as the "stupidist" [sic] thing to have ever been written.

[rolls]

he was still in basic training when the war ended.

[Buckeye67]

he was still in basic training when the war ended.

So?

You should probably consider winding your neck in.

And you still haven't answered my question.

[rolls]

So?

You should probably consider winding your neck in.

Im sorry are you the gestapo here to silence me.? Oh yes the usual MPphotosnet say as we let you brigade.


Infact you are a bit of nit if you read my first post you will see that i never dihounored the man. If you cant answer my comments like a human being mate then dont bother.

I got respect for the guym thats evident in my first post, so read againw hat i wrote and answer me in a respectful manner as i have done. Im not qualified to fack anything up but it seems you are.

Read what i wrote before flapping your gums, it isn't rocket science.

[KillerBD]

he was still in basic training when the war ended.

I was actually sorta wondering the same thing, and I see what your getting at... But the way ya put it was just a little rude.:roll:
Have a bit of respect please.

[Buckeye67]

Mr Coffey stepped up to the plate and volunteered to serve his country during the greatest conflict of his time. He served honorably. It's no fault of his that the war ended when it did, nor is it any fault of his that he was discharged when he was.

He was one of the last people on earth who was there when it happened.

He's gone now.

As I said, the writers of the story could have used the term "WW1 Era Veteran", which would have been more accurate in describing his service - but Mr. Coffey didn't write the article, nor is he still here to defend himself or his service.

Instead of disrespecting, I suggest honoring his memory.

[Dodge]

he was still in basic training when the war ended.

Lucky bastard. Lucky he didn't have to witness the western front (hell on earth).

RIP.

[Johnny_H02]

^^
I second that, and Rolls he still volunteered, hell he volunteered before the whole "Its only going to be a short war and will be over by Christmas" fantasy was long gone. Your appraisal of what makes a man a "Veteran" is not respectful.


My Grandfather was a RCAF Radio Operator in Newfoundland in World War 2, now because he wasn't pig sticking Gerries in NW Europe is he no less a vet than someone of Le Regiment de chaudieres which landed at Normandy?