Earlier this week the last of nearly 5 million American World War I veterans was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Frank Buckles enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 16, lying to the recruiter in order to be allowed to serve. Buckles, anxious to be get involved in the war before it was over, was advised by a Sergeant that the quickest way to get to France was to volunteer for the woefully understaffed Ambulance Corps. Buckles followed the Sergeant's advice and was shipped over to France in December 1917 aboard the HMS Carpathia which would later be made famous for being the first ship to respond to the distress calls of HMS Titanic. Buckles served in France for two years and returned to the United States in January 1920 and spent several years working in the steamship business. Although he was not serving in the military during World War II, Buckles was taken prisoner during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941 and was confined to a prisoner of war camp until 1945 when the US Army was finally able to liberate the camp. Buckles returned to the United States after his release and lived quietly as a farmer for the rest of his life. His family reports that Frank Buckles was still driving a tractor around his West Virginia farm until the age of 106.
A grateful nation thanks Frank Buckles, and all of the "Doughboys" who served in the Great War for their service in defense of the United States. May they all Rest in Peace.
http://pershingslastpatriot.com/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/frank-buckles-last-known-us-world-war-i-veteran-is-laid-to-rest-at-arlington/2011/03/10/ABHVLFZ_story.html
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