A US Army veteran, Frank Levingston, joined the fight in 1943 at the age of 38. Wait, so how old is he!? Born in 1905, Levingston is currently 109, but 110 years old in a few days on November 13th! That makes Mr. Levingston America’s oldest living veteran! To that age is truly a blessing, but you do not have to tell Frank Levingston that. In an interview with KPLC-TV, he reveals what has kept him alive and kicking for so long.
“I’ve been through so many dangerous things and I’m still here. I’m thankful to the almighty God for it,” explained Levingston. He served as an Army Private for the Naples-Foggia Campaign in Italy beginning in 1943. He was discharged in 1945, the last year of the war.
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Levingston admits that he had little “formal education”, but he does have about 110 years of experience under his belt. Any conversation with this man would be worth having. What he considered to be his best piece of advice for people – something he learned from his parents – is, “Be honest. That goes a long way.” Levingston met a great friend,……Pamela Gobert, around his 104th birthday. She too is blessed to be able to talk to and learn from him. She told KPLC-TV that, “He’s always got a kind word. And he let me know that sometimes it’s not how you start, but how you finish.” According to KPLC-TV, she spends most of her days by his side. If that is not a true friend, then I do not know what is. Telling another story, Gobert said, “One time we were at Memorial, and a young lady asked him, ‘Mr. Frank how old are you going to live?’ He said ‘110’.
A family member of his, Joseph, provides another reason on why he thinks Levingston is still alive. “Because he’s extremely devoted to his family. That’s why he’s here today.” Framed photographs of brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews hang from the walls of his home including a framed depiction of Levingston’s immediate family, all of whom have since passed.
The White House sent Levingston a letter to pay respects. An excerpt of the letter states, “We assume you take enormous pride in everything you have accomplished.”
Levingston was recently honored at Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center during its Veterans’ Day celebration. In an interview with American Press, he said to be recognized by the Army, even so many years later, meant a lot to him and his family. “[The ceremony] was great,” he said. “I really liked it. I appreciate they took the time to give credit to the soldiers, and it was special to be honored myself.”