America's oldest military veteran turning 110

Army man Frank Levingston will turn 110 on Friday, just two days after Vererans Day, but decades after serving in Italy during World War II. He lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

 

The proud veteran, who was born in 1905 and entered the Army in 1942, served as a private during the war in the Naples-Foggia Campaign in Italy, military records show. The war lasted from September 1943 to January 1944, and Levingston was discharged in 1945.

 

Levingston recently shared a letter he had gotten from the White House, which thanks him for his service and congratulates him on his upcoming birthday. That letter notes, “We trust you take enormous pride in everything you have accomplished.”

 

Indeed he does. The centenarian – who was one of seven children -- told KPLC he thinks he’s “one of the blessed ones.” Though he never had much of a formal education growing up, he has carried one important lesson with him through life: “Be honest.”

 

“That goes a long way,” he said.