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Who was Papa Jake Larson, the 102-year-old WWII hero and TikTok star who inspired millions?
World War II veteran Jake Larson meets youths during ceremonies at the US cemetery to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, on June 6, 2025 in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. File Image/AP
Jake Melvin Larson, widely known as 'Papa Jake' on TikTok and revered globally as a decorated World War II veteran and D-Day survivor, passed away last week (July 17, 2025), at the age of 102.
From a Minnesota farm boy who enlisted underage to a Bronze Star recipient and later an internet sensation in his late 90s, Papa Jake's life spanned not only decades of personal courage and national history but also a digital bridge to younger generations.
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Announced by his granddaughter McKaela Larson through a social media post, his passing sparked tributes from across the United States and towns in France, especially in Normandy, where Larson had long been welcomed as a cherished guest and war hero.
He had spent the last years of his life living in Lafayette, California.
Jake Larson, known as 'Papa Jake' had gained 1.2 million followers on TikTok by sharing war stories. File Image/AFP
'Our beloved Papa Jake has passed away on July 17th at 102 years young,' McKaela wrote. 'He went peacefully.'
'I am so thankful to have shared my Papa Jake with you all. You meant the world to him,' she added.
'As Papa would say, love you all the mostest.'
From a farm boy to a war hero
Jake Larson was born on December 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota, and raised in the nearby community of Hope.
In 1938, at just 15 years old, he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard by falsely claiming he was of legal age.
Assigned to the US Army's 135th Infantry Regiment in the 34th Infantry Division — known as the 'Red Bull' — Larson embarked on a military career that would define much of the 20th century's pivotal moments.
By 1942, he was deployed overseas to Northern Ireland, where he rose to the role of operations sergeant.
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In this capacity, he played a behind-the-scenes yet critical role in planning the Allied invasion of Normandy, compiling operational materials for what would become the largest amphibious military assault in history: Operation Overlord.
Papa Jake during D-Day & WWII
On June 6, 1944, Larson was among approximately 160,000 Allied troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day landings.
Assigned to Omaha Beach, he was one of 34,000 US soldiers to engage in the bloody assault that day. Machine gun fire from fortified German positions made the beach one of the most perilous fronts, claiming over 2,400 American lives.
Larson was one of the few to reach the bluffs overlooking the beach unharmed.
In this photo taken April 29, 2019, D-Day veteran Jake Larson poses before going for a ride in the 'The Spirit of Benovia' World War II-era aircraft in Oakland, California, US. File Image/AP
In a recollection shared through a US Army video posted in June, he described the chaos and fear that defined those hours: 'It seemed like that the landing was an eternity, with all the firing going on…. I can't describe it. And people say, 'Were you scared?' I was scared of stepping on a landmine, and that's what I was trying to prevent.'
'I was 5 foot 7 at that time. I weighed 120 pounds and I said, 'Thank God the Germans aren't good at shooting at toothpicks',' he added.
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Larson went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge — the last major German offensive on the Western Front — enduring a month of intense winter warfare across Belgium and Luxembourg.
His actions during the war earned him numerous honours, including the Bronze Star Medal from the US Army and the French Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian and military award.
Despite his accolades, Larson never saw himself as a hero.
'We are the lucky ones,' he told AP at the 81st D-Day commemoration in June, while standing among the headstones at the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach.
'They had no family. We are their family. We have the responsibility to honour these guys who gave us a chance to be alive.'
Post-war life for Papa Jake
Following his discharge from military service in 1945, Larson returned home and later married Lola Cassem. Their marriage lasted until her death in 1991.
In the decades that followed, he built a quiet life for himself, largely out of the spotlight, until his unexpected rise to social media fame in the twilight of his life.
In 2020, with assistance from his granddaughter, Larson launched a TikTok account — @storytimewithpapajake — where he began sharing stories of his war experiences.
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The platform, initially foreign to many of his generation, soon turned him into a viral figure.
In this photo taken April 29, 2019, D-Day veteran Jake Larson walks to a seat before going for a ride in the 'The Spirit of Benovia' WWII-era aircraft in Oakland, California, US. File Image/AP
By 2025, he had amassed over 1.2 million followers and more than 11 million likes. His popularity extended to YouTube as well, where he gained more than 16,000 subscribers.
His videos — a mix of candid reflections, historical commentary, and humour — became a medium through which millions learned about the human costs and moral weight of the Second World War.
'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.'
In 2021, he published a memoir titled The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the Life of Papa Jake, a nod to how he often described himself — not for having survived the war, but for having the opportunity to share his life and honour his fallen comrades.
Papa Jake's legacy
Larson's presence was a mainstay at international memorial events, particularly in Normandy, where he was deeply respected. From schoolchildren to museum curators, he was warmly welcomed during his visits.
The Overlord Museum in France — dedicated to preserving the memory of D-Day — posted a tribute that described him as 'an exceptional witness and bearer of memory,' recalling his humility, storytelling, and warm smile that touched visitors of all ages.
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Even in his final years, he remained active and engaged with his audience. In 2023, during a commemorative visit to France, he met with 99-year-old British veteran Bill Gladden, who had landed in a glider on D-Day and been wounded by gunfire.
Their emotional exchange — hands clasped, tears in their eyes — became a moment widely shared online.
'I want to give you a hug, thank you. I got tears in my eyes. We were meant to meet,' Larson told Gladden.
Gladden passed away the following year.
Papa Jake's contributions to preserving World War II history were recognised by international media as well.
In June, he and CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour were jointly awarded a News and Documentary Emmy for their live interview during the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Though his fame came unexpectedly and late in life, Larson used it to promote remembrance, compassion, and peace.
'Make peace not war,' he said during an interview — a sentiment that resonated deeply with his global audience.
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US veteran SSgt. Jake M Larson talks to a girl who wears an American flag around her neck during a gathering in preparation of the 79th D-Day anniversary in La Fiere, Normandy, France, June 4, 2023. File Image/AP
His storytelling was never just about reminiscing; it was about accountability, memory, and ensuring that history — especially its darkest moments — would not be forgotten.
Following his death, tributes poured in not only from followers across the United States but from towns and institutions in France that had long considered him part of their shared historical heritage.
The official tourism page for Normandy stated that he 'will never be forgotten.'
His granddaughter has expressed her intent to keep his memory alive through continued storytelling: 'When the time is right, I will continue to share Papa Jake's stories and keep his memory alive.'
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