'Luckiest man in the world': WW2 veteran and TikTok icon Papa Jake dies at 102; fans pour in heartfelt tributes
Larson passed away peacefully on 17 July, his granddaughter McKaela Larson confirmed in a social media post. 'Our beloved Papa Jake has passed away on July 17th at 102 years young,' she wrote. 'As Papa would say, love you all the mostest.' She also added that he was 'cracking jokes til the end.'
Tributes poured in across the United States and from towns in Normandy, where his memory remains cherished for helping liberate the region from Nazi occupation.
Messages flooded his 'Story Time with Papa Jake' TikTok account, celebrating a man who had become a beloved figure to people of all ages.
Born on 20 December 1922 in Owatonna, Minnesota, Larson enlisted in the National Guard in 1938, lying about his age as he was only 15. By 1942, he had been sent overseas and stationed in Northern Ireland. He later became an operations sergeant, helping assemble planning materials for the Normandy invasion.
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On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Larson landed on Omaha Beach as part of the massive Allied invasion. He survived German machine-gun fire and made it unscathed to the bluffs above the beach, then lined with enemy gun positions that had claimed the lives of many of his fellow soldiers.
Speaking at the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June, Larson reflected on the sacrifices made: 'We are the lucky ones.'
'We are their family. We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive.'
He went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, a key conflict in Belgium and Luxembourg that contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany. His bravery earned him a Bronze Star and France's Legion of Honour.
In his later years, Larson became a regular presence at D-Day commemorations in Normandy, where he was warmly welcomed by locals and tourists alike. He was often seen posing for selfies and giving out his signature warm hugs.
In 2023, he shared a moving moment with fellow D-Day veteran Bill Gladden, a 99-year-old British soldier who had survived a glider landing and a serious bullet wound.
'I want to give you a hug, thank you. I got tears in my eyes. We were meant to meet,' Larson told Gladden. The pair held hands, their shared bond and years etched into their skin.
Gladden died the following year.
Through his TikTok videos and interviews, Larson mixed humour with poignant messages about the realities of war.
Reflecting on his time in Europe, he once said, 'I'm no hero.' In a message to world leaders in 2024, he urged: 'Make peace, not war.'
He used to call himself 'the luckiest man in the world,' and adored all the attention he was getting.
'I'm just a country boy. Now I'm a star on TikTok,' he told AP in 2023. "I'm a legend! I didn't plan this, it came about.'
Museums and historical groups across Normandy also paid tribute. The Overlord Museum, which honours D-Day history, wrote on Facebook, 'He was an exceptional witness and bearer of memory."
"He came every year to the museum, with his smile, his humility and his tales that touched all generations. His stories will continue to live. Rest in peace Papa Jake,' it added.
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