Family Life

02.28.11 | Sarah Harnisch

 The last remaining American veteran of World War 1 has died. Frank Buckles was from West Virginia. He was an ambulance driver in Germany and France. Family members say he passed away at 12:30 eastern time Sunday morning, of natural causes. He was at home with his family, and fell asleep peacefully, before going on to "the other side" to see General Pershing. Buckles was 110 years old. He had lied about his age, saying he was 18 when he was only 16, to be able to become a soldier.  He also served in World War 2, and was captured by the Japanese and held in a prison camp while doing business. He said he never went looking for adventure-- it always found him. Outside the U.S., a 109-year-old Australian man and a 110-year-old British woman are the only 2 still alive of the 65-million people that served in World War 1.