National Geographic shared this touching and amusing short documentary by Matt Cooper and Rocky Conly about the life of Richard Arvin Overton, America’s oldest living veteran. In the film, the charming, cigar-smoking, ice cream-loving, whiskey-drinking, supercentenarian (someone who has lived to their 110th birthday) talks about serving in World War II, living in the same house in Austin, Texas since 1945, and reveals his secrets to living a happy and healthy life.
“Meet Richard Overton, America’s oldest veteran. Born on May 11, 1906, he has celebrated 110 birthdays (109 at the time of filming) and counting. The supercentenarian has lived through the Great Depression, served in World War II, and witnessed the rise of the Internet. From the Ford Model T to self-driving cars, more technological and scientific progress have occurred in Overton’s lifetime than perhaps any other century in history.”