Papa Jake” Larson, a D-day veteran, has passed away at the age of 102. Larson survived German gunfire on Normandy’s beaches in 1944 and later gained 1.2 million followers on TikTok by sharing stories about the second world war and his fallen comrades. After surviving battle, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and later received a Bronze Star and a French Legion of Honour award. In recent years, he made repeated trips to Normandy for D-day commemorations and shared both humorous and somber stories about war.
His granddaughter announced his passing on July 17th, mentioning that he went peacefully and urging others to “love you all the mostest.” Tributes poured in from across the United States and Normandy in remembrance of his service to commemorate the second world war.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/21/papa-jake-larson-dies-death-aged-102
