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DW
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- DW
'Papa Jake' Larson, TikTok star and WWII vet, dies at 102 – DW – 07/21/2025
Jake Larson, known as 'Papa Jake,' has died. The WWII veteran shot to fame on TikTok as he shared world war stories to millions. He was 102 years old. The American war veteran Jake Larson, has died at the age of 102. Known to his 1.2 million followers on TikTok as "Papa Jake", he captivated both young and old with his stories. In a statement on his social media accounts, his granddaughter McKaela Larson wrote that he died peacefully on 17th July, and was "even cracking jokes 'til the very end." Jake was known for his quick smile and how he combined humourous anecdotes with somber reminders about the horrors of war. He had been living in Lafayette, California. A self-described Minnesota farm boy, Jake Larson gained a huge following online in later life by sharing stories of WWII. He was born on 20th December 1922 in Owatonna Minesota. In 1938, while lying about his age, Larson enlisted in the National Guard at 15 years old. In 1942, he was stationed in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. He became operations sergeant and assembled the planning books for the invasion of Normandy. Larson was among the nearly 160,000 Allied Troops who stormed Normandy's beaches on D-Day, 6th June 1944. He survived machine gunfire when he landed on Omaha beach. "We are the lucky ones," Jake told theAssociated Press at the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June, "They had no family. We are their family. We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive" He had been awarded the Bronze Star, and French Legion of Honour for his service. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Jake often called himself "the luckiest man in the world," and expressed awe at the attention he received. "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." Just three weeks ago, he co-won an Emmy with British-Iranian journalist Christiane Amanpour for their interview marking last year's 80th anniversary of D-Day. Followers across the USA, and towns around Normandy are paying tribute to "Papa Jake". He had visited Normandy several times over the last years. The official page for tourism in Normandy said he "will never be forgotten" McKaela Larson asked that her family be given privacy, but said when the time is right, she will continue to "share Papa Jake's stories and keep his memory alive" "As Papa would say, love you all the mostest," she wrote.
New York Times
20-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
Jake Larson, D-Day Veteran and TikTok Star, Dies at 102
Jake Larson, who was part of a unit that stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 and who gained a wide following on social media after sharing his memories of World War II, died on Thursday at his home in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was 102. His death was confirmed by his granddaughter McKaela Larson, on his social media accounts. Mr. Larson had 1.2 million followers on TikTok on his channel, 'Story Time with Papa Jake.' He amassed more than 11 million likes on the page. 'He went peacefully and was even cracking jokes til the very end,' Ms. Larson posted. 'As Papa would say, 'Love you all the mostest.'' Information about his other survivors was not immediately available. Staff Sgt. Larson was among the 160,000 Allied troops who swarmed onto the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, in an invasion that would ultimately lead to the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
D-Day veteran "Papa Jake" Larson who became TikTok star dies aged 102
A D-Day veteran who became a social media star in his later years has died at the age of 102. "Papa Jake" Larson survived German gunfire in the June 1944 landings and then garnered 1.2million followers sharing stories on TikTok to commemorate Second World War and his fallen comrades. Sharing the news of his death on the platform that found his legions of new fans, 'Story time with Papa Jake', his granddaughter McKaela Larson said he "went peacefully and was even cracking jokes 'til the very end". "I am so thankful to have shared my Papa Jake with you all," she continued. "You meant the world to him. "When the time is right, I will continue to share Papa Jake's stories and keep his memory alive. We appreciate all the kind words and posts. As Papa would say, love you all the mostest." Born on 20 December 1922 in Minnesota, US, Larson enlisted in the National Guard in 1938, lying about his age as he was only 15 at the time. In 1942, four years later, he was sent overseas and was stationed in Northern Ireland. He became operations sergeant and assembled the planning books for the invasion of Normandy. He was among the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who stormed the Normandy shore on D-Day, surviving machine-gun fire when he landed on Omaha Beach. "We are the lucky ones," Larson told The Associated Press (AP) on the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June, speaking amid the immaculate rows of graves at the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. "We are their family. We have the responsibility to honour these guys who gave us a chance to be alive." His service during the war earned him a Bronze Star and a French Legion of Honour award. In his TikTok posts and interviews, Larson combined humorous anecdotes with sombre reminders about the horrors of war. In the wake of his death, small-town museums and groups around Normandy that work to honour D-Day heroes shared tributes to Larson, one of their most loyal visitors. Read more:D-Day in numbers'An act of love saved my grandpop' "He came every year to the museum, with his smile, his humility and his tales that touched all generations," the Overlord Museum posted on Facebook. "His stories will continue to live. Rest in peace Papa Jake."
Sky News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
D-Day veteran "Papa Jake" Larson who became TikTok star dies aged 102
A D-Day veteran who became a social media star in his later years has died at the age of 102. "Papa Jake" Larson survived German gunfire in the June 1944 landings and then garnered 1.2million followers sharing stories on TikTok to commemorate Second World War and his fallen comrades. Sharing the news of his death on the platform that found his legions of new fans, 'Story time with Papa Jake', his granddaughter McKaela Larson said he "went peacefully and was even cracking jokes 'til the very end". "I am so thankful to have shared my Papa Jake with you all," she continued. "You meant the world to him. "When the time is right, I will continue to share Papa Jake's stories and keep his memory alive. We appreciate all the kind words and posts. As Papa would say, love you all the mostest." Born on 20 December 1922 in Minnesota, US, Larson enlisted in the National Guard in 1938, lying about his age as he was only 15 at the time. In 1942, four years later, he was sent overseas and was stationed in Northern Ireland. He became operations sergeant and assembled the planning books for the invasion of Normandy. He was among the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who stormed the Normandy shore on D-Day, surviving machine-gun fire when he landed on Omaha Beach. "We are the lucky ones," Larson told The Associated Press (AP) on the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June, speaking amid the immaculate rows of graves at the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. "We are their family. We have the responsibility to honour these guys who gave us a chance to be alive." His service during the war earned him a Bronze Star and a French Legion of Honour award. In his TikTok posts and interviews, Larson combined humorous anecdotes with sombre reminders about the horrors of war. In the wake of his death, small-town museums and groups around Normandy that work to honour D-Day heroes shared tributes to Larson, one of their most loyal visitors. "He came every year to the museum, with his smile, his humility and his tales that touched all generations," the Overlord Museum posted on Facebook.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
81 Years After D-Day: Honoring the courage that changed history
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — June 6 marks 81 years since D-Day — the largest seaborne invasion in military history and a pivotal moment that helped turn the tide of World War II. While the battle took place thousands of miles away, its legacy lives on through the voices of veterans and institutions like the USS Kidd Veterans Museum in Baton Rouge. Alexis Anderson, a U.S. Air Force veteran, reflected on the scale and significance of the operation. 'No matter how many times you look at that battle, it was so audacious,' Anderson said. 'They were amazingly committed to something during a time when, until Pearl Harbor, this country was very divided about how they saw this war. But they found the tenacity to come together.' On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, launching an all-out assault against Nazi Germany in hopes of liberating Europe. The mission came at a high cost — thousands of lives were lost — but it marked the beginning of the end of the war. Eighty-one years later, those sacrifices continue to echo through history. For Parks Stephenson, executive director of the USS Kidd Veterans Museum, the day remains an example for future generations. 'They were all in their late teens, early twenties, and they were fighting for the fate of the world,' Stephenson said. 'It was freedom versus fascism. We still fight those fights today.' Inside the museum, one artifact stands out — a combat helmet worn by Staff Sergeant Pike, who went ashore on D-Day. 'This is a good visual representation of what you would see on those beaches,' Stephenson explained. 'The Allied troops stormed ashore facing front to the enemy, and the enemy fired back with ferocious firepower.' For veterans and historians alike, keeping the memory of D-Day alive is about preserving the values that defined it. 'It's to the youth that we're speaking to,' Stephenson said. 'This could be your war as well — and that's something I'd like to leave with everybody.' As time passes and the number of living World War II veterans dwindles, remembering June 6th becomes even more essential — not only as a lesson in courage, but as a reminder of the cost of freedom. National Guard troops arrive in Los Angeles after days of immigration protests Ohio State says every student will become fluent in AI with new program 81 Years After D-Day: Honoring the courage that changed history GOP braces for first 'test run' on codifying DOGE cuts The best trucks for towing for 2025 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
