Latest news with #PapaJake
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
102-year-old World War II hero's viral message about America will leave you inspired
Jake Larson, a 102-year-old World War II veteran, is gaining popularity on TikTok. He is known as Papa Jake. He fought in six major battles, including Omaha Beach. Jake lied about his age to join the National Guard. He values freedom because of his tough childhood. He honors the soldiers who sacrificed their lives. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads His early life and joining the war Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What he says about America and freedom What July 4th means to Jake FAQs A 102-year-old World War II veteran named Jake Larson is going viral on TikTok. People know him online as "Papa Jake." He talked to Fox News Digital about his war experience and what Independence Day means to is from Lafayette, California and fought in six big WWII battles, including Omaha Beach on D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, as per the report by Fox News was born in Owatonna, Minnesota. Jake joined the National Guard in 1938 by lying about his age — he was only 15 years old. He grew up on a farm during the Great Depression, with no electricity, no running water, and no money. Because of his tough childhood, he says he really values freedom and independence today, as per the about his age, mere 15-years-old at the time, got Jake into the hallways of the National Guard. Growing up with a lack of basic facilities like electricity and water during the Great Depression, Jaked moulded into someone who relishes the ethos of freedom and independence, as per the report by Fox News worked the night shift for the G3 unit and stayed on duty through the Battle of the Bulge. On D-Day, he was waist-deep in water, holding his rifle and ammo above his head so they wouldn't get wet. He said he was scared of bullets and landmines while being shot at from the shore. He survived six battles and says it's amazing he didn't get a single scratch, according to the report by Fox News said, 'Great Britain and Ireland were full of American soldiers fighting for the world's freedom.' He wrote a book called "The Luckiest Man in the World". He said he's grateful to the soldiers who gave their lives and always honors said, 'They are the real heroes — I was just doing my job.' Jake also said they didn't go to war to be heroes. They went there to 'kick Hitler's butt out of Europe' — and they did it, as per the report by Fox News said the Fourth of July is a time to think about family and freedom. Jake believes everyone in America is equal, no matter where you're from. He said, 'If you fight for America's freedom, you are an American', as per the Fox News Larson, also known as "Papa Jake," is a 102-year-old WWII hero from California who fought in six major battles and shares his story on said July 4th is a time to reflect on freedom and family, and that anyone who fights for America's freedom is truly an American.
Fox News
a day ago
- General
- Fox News
Viral 102-year-old WWII veteran has message about America: 'How lucky we all are'
A World War II veteran who is 102 years old has become a viral sensation on TikTok, sharing his experiences of wartime stories. Jake Larson, aka "Papa Jake," spoke with Fox News Digital about serving the country and shared what Independence Day means to him. (See the video at the top of this article.) Larson of Lafayette, California, fought in six battles during World War II while storming Omaha Beach on D-Day and then in the Battle of the Bulge. He was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, enlisting in the National Guard in 1938 at age 15 – and lying about his age. "Growing up on a farm during the Depression with no electricity, running water or money has made me appreciate the independence and freedom we have today," Larson said. He was 18 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Larson joked that he "didn't even know Pearl Harbor existed." After Pearl Harbor, Larson spent three years in Europe. "I just came from the infantry. I got in on the planning of D-Day. Not only did I get in on the planning of D-Day ... I landed on Omaha Beach and that night I was put in charge of Omaha Beach," he said. Larson said he was assigned to the night shift for the G3 — and continued this duty through the Battle of the Bulge. On D-Day, he was out in the water up to his chin carrying his rifle over his head. "I've drawn eight rounds, and I'm holding that up over my head, so I wouldn't get the ammunition wet," he said. "But I was more afraid of the small arms fire we were receiving from the shore." He added, "They're shooting at you from the shore, you're walking over landmines. This is unbelievable." He added, "The most unbelievable part of it is I came to six of those events without a scratch." About 66,143 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II were alive as of 2024, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "At the beginning of World War II, Great Britain and Ireland were full of American soldiers fighting for the entire world's freedom alongside them," said Larson. Author of the book "The Luckiest Man in the World," Larson also spoke of his gratitude toward those who paid the ultimate service to their country. "Their souls are looking down on me now. Every time I talk, I like to remind people that those guys upstairs, looking down at us, they're the heroes," he told Fox News Digital. "I'm just in there doing the job." "I don't think any of us ever thought we'd be heroes. We didn't go over there to be heroes. We went over to kick Hitler's [butt] out of Europe." He added, "And we did it. We did it!" Larson told Fox News Digital the Fourth of July is a special time for him to reflect on family and freedom. "When the Fourth of July comes around each year, I think about how lucky we all are living in this country. In this country, we don't care where you came from — we're all Americans. If you fight for our freedoms in America, you are an American."
