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Time of India
5 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
'Luckiest man in the world': WW2 veteran and TikTok icon Papa Jake dies at 102; fans pour in heartfelt tributes
D-Day veteran Jake Larson, fondly known online as 'Papa Jake', has died at the age of 102. A survivor of the 1944 Normandy landings, he later gained 1.2 million followers on TikTok by sharing heartfelt stories about World War II and his fallen comrades. 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo 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.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
D-Day veteran and TikTok star Papa Jake Larson dies at 102
Jake 'Papa Jake' Larson, a World War II veteran and beloved TikTok personality who brought stories of wartime courage to a new generation, died on July 17 at the age of 102, according to his family. Larson, who gained over 1.2 million followers on TikTok through his 'Story Time with Papa Jake' account, passed away peacefully, his granddaughter McKaela Larson announced on social media. 'As Papa would say, love you all the mostest,' she wrote. Born on December 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Larson enlisted in the National Guard at age 15 by lying about his age. He served in Northern Ireland before becoming an operations sergeant responsible for assembling planning materials for the D-Day invasion. On June 6, 1944, he landed on Omaha Beach under heavy machine-gun fire and later fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His wartime service earned him the Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor. Decades after the war, Larson found a new way to connect with others—this time through social media. His TikTok posts blended humorous anecdotes with solemn reflections on the horrors of war and the sacrifices of his fellow soldiers. 'We are their family. We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive,' he told the Associated Press at the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June. He frequently returned to Normandy, where he was greeted with open arms by locals and visitors alike. After his passing, tributes poured in from across the U.S. and France. The Overlord Museum called him 'an exceptional witness and bearer of memory,' vowing that his stories will live on.
Boston Globe
a day ago
- General
- Boston Globe
D-Day veteran and TikTok star ‘Papa Jake' Larson dies at 102
'As Papa would say, love you all the mostest,' his granddaughter posted on his social media accounts. Advertisement Mr. Larson in 2019, before going for a ride in the "The Spirit of Benovia" World War II-era aircraft in Oakland, Calif. Eric Risberg/Associated Press Born Dec. 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minn., Mr. Larson enlisted in the National Guard in 1938, lying about his age since he was only 15. In 1942, he was sent overseas and was stationed in Northern Ireland. He became operations sergeant and assembled the planning books for the invasion of Normandy. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up He was among the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who stormed the Normandy shore on D-Day, June 6, 1944, surviving machine-gun fire when he landed on Omaha Beach. He made it unhurt to the bluffs that overlook the beach, then studded with German gun emplacements. 'We are the lucky ones,' Mr. Larson told The Associated Press at the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June, speaking amid the immaculate rows of graves at the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. Advertisement 'We are their family. We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive.' He advanced on to participate in the Battle of the Bulge, a grueling month-long fight in Belgium and Luxembourg that was one of the defining moments of the war and of Hitler's defeat. His service earned him a Bronze Star and a French Legion of Honor award. In recent years, he made repeated trips to Normandy for D-Day commemorations — and at every stop, 'Papa Jake' was greeted by people asking for a selfie. In return, he offered up a big hug. One memorable encounter came in 2023, when he came across Bill Gladden, a then-99-year-old British veteran who survived a glider landing on D-Day and a bullet that tore through his ankle. 'I want to give you a hug, thank you. I got tears in my eyes. We were meant to meet,' Mr. Larson told Gladden, as their handsclasped tightly. Gladden died the following year. In his TikTok posts and interviews, Mr. Larson combined humorous anecdotes with somber reminders about the horrors of war. In addition to the invasion of Normandy, Mr. Larson fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Eric Risberg/Associated Press Reflecting to AP on the three years he was in Europe, Larson said he is 'no hero.' Speaking in 2024, he also had a message to world leaders: 'Make peace not war.' He often called himself 'the luckiest man in the world,' and expressed awe at all the attention he was getting. 'I'm just a country boy. Now I'm a star on TikTok,' he said in 2023. Small-town museums and groups around Normandy that work to honor D-Day's heroes and fallen shared tributes online. Advertisement 'He was an exceptional witness and bearer of memory,' the Overlord Museum posted on Facebook. '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 read.
NBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
D-Day veteran and TikTok star 'Papa Jake' Larson dies at 102
He was among the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who stormed the Normandy shore on D-Day, June 6, 1944, surviving machine-gun fire when he landed on Omaha Beach. He made it unhurt to the bluffs that overlook the beach, then studded with German gun emplacements that mowed down American soldiers. "We are the lucky ones," Larson told The Associated Press at 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 honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive." He went on to fight through the Battle of the Bulge, a grueling month-long fight in Belgium and Luxembourg that was one of the defining moments of the war and of Hitler's defeat. His service earned him a Bronze Star and a French Legion of Honor award. In recent years, Larson made repeated trips to Normandy for D-Day commemorations — and at every stop, "Papa Jake" was greeted by people asking for a selfie. In return, he offered up a big hug, to their greatest joy. One memorable encounter came in 2023, when he came across Bill Gladden, a then-99-year-old British veteran who survived a glider landing on D-Day and a bullet that tore through his ankle. "I want to give you a hug, thank you. I got tears in my eyes. We were meant to meet," Larson told Gladden, as their hands, lined and spotted with age, clasped tightly. Gladden died the following year. In his TikTok posts and interviews, Larson combined humorous anecdotes with somber reminders about the horrors of war. Reflecting to AP on the three years he was in Europe, Larson said he is "no hero." Speaking in 2024, he also had a message to world leaders: "Make peace not war." He often called himself "the luckiest man in the world," and expressed awe at 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." Small-town museums and groups around Normandy that work to honor D-Day's heroes and fallen shared tributes online to Larson, one of their most loyal visitors. "He was an exceptional witness and bearer of memory," the Overlord Museum posted on Facebook. "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 read.
Politico
a day ago
- General
- Politico
D-Day veteran and TikTok star ‘Papa Jake' Larson dies at 102
'As Papa would say, love you all the mostest,' she wrote. Born Dec. 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Larson enlisted in the National Guard in 1938, lying about his age since he was only 15 at the time. In January 1942, 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 Allied troops who stormed the Normandy shore on D-Day, June 6, 1944, surviving machine-gun fire when he landed on Omaha Beach. He made it unhurt to the bluffs that overlook the beach, then studded with German gun emplacements that mowed down American soldiers. After D-Day, he fought on through the Battle of the Bulge. In recent years, he made repeated trips to Normandy for D-Day commemorations. 'We are the lucky ones,' Larson told The Associated Press at the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June, speaking amid the immaculate rows of graves at the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. 'They had no family. We are their family. We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive.'
