Louisiana native Lawrence Brooks, the oldest living World War II veteran in the United States, died Tuesday at the age of 112. Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana Morris Thompson fondly recounts his friendship with Brooks that began twelve years ago at a New Orleans fish fry.
“He was one of the kindest men that I’ve known, you could just tell as you spoke with him… the softness of his voice, the kindness of his heart, somebody that you would want to know,” said Thompson.
One of 15 children, Brooks was raised in Norwood, Louisiana, and drafted at the age of 31, spending the majority of World War II in the predominantly African American 91st Engineer Battalion. Thompson said Brooks claimed the key to longevity is to serve God and be nice to people.
“He was a kind man even though life was not always kind to him, he didn’t respond with any kind of bitterness, he responded with kindness and that’s how I will remember him,” said Thompson.
Brooks spent the majority of his service in WWII stationed in Australia. In Jim Crow America however, Thompson said Brooks told him he was often treated better overseas than he was in his own country.
“He made a comment that sometimes he was treated better by other countries than he was by the Americans that he served under in the Army,” said Thompson.
Brooks is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren.
Click here for more about Brooks from The National WWII Museum.
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