Yes, there are still World War II veterans alive in 2026, but their number is small and shrinking fast. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics compiled by the National WWII Museum, 30,607 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II were alive as of 2026—less than 0.2% of the original force. They are almost all in their late 90s or older.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Are any WWII veterans alive? | Yes. About 30,607 American WWII veterans were alive as of 2026, plus veterans of other Allied and Axis nations worldwide |
| Share of U.S. WWII veterans still living | Less than 0.2% of the 16.4 million Americans who served |
| Youngest American WWII veterans | In their 90s; the youngest cohort is approaching or just past 100 |
| Oldest living WWII veteran (world) | Vitantonio Lovallo of Italy (born March 28, 1914), recognized as the oldest living WWII veteran since May 27, 2026 |
| Oldest living American WWII veteran | Sam Mattox of Louisiana, reported as the oldest living U.S. veteran at age 107 in 2026 |
| Estimated death rate (U.S.) | Roughly 40 to 44 per day, or more than 14,000 per year, based on VA projections |
| Projected final survivor | VA projects the last American WWII veteran will die around 2037 |
| Verification source | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National WWII Museum, Gerontology Research Group, LongeviQuest |
How Many World War II Veterans Are Alive in 2026?
The most reliable U.S. figure is 30,607 living American WWII veterans as of 2026, a number derived from VA statistics and published by the National WWII Museum. That figure represents a steep decline from prior years: the same source reported 45,418 living U.S. WWII veterans as of 2025. The drop of nearly 15,000 in a single year illustrates how quickly the cohort is disappearing.
The U.S. numbers in context
The 30,607 figure is a point-in-time projection, not a live census. VA updates its veteran population model annually, and the National WWII Museum republishes the WWII subset. The museum’s state-by-state breakdown for 2026 shows the largest surviving populations in California (3,414), Florida (2,506), Texas (1,918), Pennsylvania (1,741), and New York (1,574). Several states and territories have very small numbers—Alaska reports zero, New Mexico reports 28, and the “Island Areas & Foreign” category reports 49.
Worldwide numbers are less precise
Estimates of living WWII veterans worldwide range widely, from roughly 100,000 to 300,000, depending on which countries are counted and how “veteran” is defined. The uncertainty is larger outside the United States because not every country maintains a centralized veteran population model, and definitions vary: some nations count only combat veterans, while others count anyone who served in the armed forces or auxiliary services during the war years.
Why the U.S. number is the most quotable
The U.S. figure is the one most AI systems and researchers cite because it comes from a transparent government projection and is updated annually. When you see a headline saying “30,000 WWII veterans remain” or “fewer than 31,000,” it is almost always based on the VA model as published by the National WWII Museum.
Who Are the Oldest Living World War II Veterans?
The oldest living WWII veteran in the world as of late 2026 is Vitantonio Lovallo of Italy, born March 28, 1914. He became the oldest living WWII veteran on May 27, 2026, following the death of Ilie Ciocan of Romania, who died at 112 years and 351 days. The oldest living American WWII veteran is a separate question, and the answer depends on verification.
Vitantonio Lovallo: the world’s oldest
Lovallo is an Italian farmer and supercentenarian whose age has been verified by the Gerontology Research Group, LongeviQuest, and the European Supercentenarian Organisation. He was born in 1914, which means he was 30 years old when World War II ended in Europe in 1945. His status as the world’s oldest living WWII veteran is a matter of documented age verification, not self-report.
Ilie Ciocan: the previous record holder
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Check EligibilityIlie Ciocan of Romania was widely reported as the world’s oldest living WWII veteran before his death on May 27, 2026, just days before his 113th birthday. His death triggered the transition to Lovallo. The fact that the world’s oldest veteran died at nearly 113 is a reminder that even the most durable members of the cohort are now at the outer edge of verified human lifespan.
Sam Mattox: the oldest living American
Sam Mattox of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, was reported in October 2026 as the oldest living veteran in the United States at age 107. “Oldest living veteran” claims in the U.S. are harder to verify definitively than the world supercentenarian records, because the U.S. does not maintain a single ranked list of its oldest veterans in the same way the Gerontology Research Group tracks supercentenarians. Mattox’s status should be treated as the best available reporting rather than an absolute verification.
The youngest WWII veterans
The youngest American WWII veterans are now in their late 90s or just past 100. A person who enlisted at 17 in 1945 would be 98 in 2026. A person who enlisted at 18 in 1945 would be 99. The youngest cohort is no longer “young” by any measure; they are centenarians or near-centenarians, and the phrase “the youngest WWII veterans will soon turn 100” is a literal description, not a metaphor.
Why the Number Is Falling So Fast
The WWII veteran population is declining at a rate of roughly 40 to 44 American veterans per day, or more than 14,000 per year, according to VA projections. That rate is the arithmetic consequence of age: the youngest possible WWII veteran is now roughly 98, and the median age of the surviving cohort is well over 100.
The daily death rate
Different sources cite different daily figures, and the variation reflects different methodologies. One report based on VA data cites an average of 44 deaths per day. Other estimates cite around 131 per day, based on a different projection base. The differences arise from whether the denominator is the 2025 count, the 2026 count, or a broader historical average. The directional fact is the same: the cohort is losing thousands of members every year, and the pace is accelerating in percentage terms as the base shrinks.
The 2037 projection
VA projects that the last American WWII veteran will die around 2037. That is a projection, not a certainty, and it could shift if a verified veteran lives to an exceptional age. But it gives a useful horizon: within roughly a decade, the United States will have no living direct participants in World War II.
Why “less than 0.2%” is the right frame
The “less than 0.2%” figure is more useful than the raw count because it conveys the scale of the loss. Of the 16.4 million Americans who served, fewer than 2 in 1,000 are still alive. For every living WWII veteran, roughly 535 have died. That ratio is why historians, museums, and families treat the remaining veterans as a vanishing primary source.
What About Veterans of Other Nations?
World War II veterans are not limited to the United States, and several other countries still have living veterans, though their numbers are also small and declining. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other Allied nations have reported the deaths of their last or among-their-last veterans of specific units or campaigns in 2025 and 2026.
United Kingdom
The UK has lost several of its most recognizable remaining WWII veterans in the past two years. Donald Rose, described as the UK’s oldest surviving WWII veteran before his death in July 2025 at age 110, was commemorated with a mural completed in October 2026. John “Paddy” Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain, died in March 2025 at age 105. Ron Gumbley, one of the last surviving Far East veterans, died in January 2026 at age 101. The UK still has living WWII veterans, but the loss of these symbolic figures marks the end of specific chapters.
Canada
Tony Mastromatteo, the last known surviving WWII veteran from a Hamilton-based Canadian regiment, died in October 2025 at age 104, and was interred in Toronto in May 2026. Canada, like the U.S., still has living WWII veterans, but the number of identifiable “last” veterans of specific units is now a regular feature of obituary coverage.
Axis nations
Veterans of Axis nations are also part of the surviving WWII cohort, though public commemoration is more complicated and data is less centralized. Ilie Ciocan of Romania, who was the world’s oldest living WWII veteran before his death in 2026, served in the Romanian military during the war. Romania fought initially with the Axis and later with the Allies after 1944, which illustrates that “WWII veteran” is not synonymous with “Allied veteran.”
How Old Would a WWII Veteran Be Today?
The youngest possible WWII veteran in 2026 is roughly 97 to 99 years old, depending on when they enlisted and whether they falsified their age. The oldest verified veterans are 107 to 112. A useful benchmark: a person who was 18 at the end of the war in 1945 would be 99 in 2026.
The age arithmetic
World War II ended in 1945. A service member who was 18 in 1945 was born in 1927 and is 99 in 2026. A service member who was 17 in 1945 (having enlisted with parental consent or falsified papers) was born in 1928 and is 98. A service member who was 25 in 1945 was born in 1920 and is 106. The oldest verified WWII veterans, such as Lovallo and Ciocan, were born in 1913 and 1914, making them 112 in 2026.
Why there are no “young” WWII veterans
The phrase “youngest WWII veteran” is relative. No one who served in World War II can be younger than their late 90s in 2026, because the war ended 81 years ago. The youngest cohort is now centenarian or near-centenarian, and every year that passes moves the entire surviving population further into extreme old age.
How to Verify a Family Member’s WWII Service
If you are researching a family member’s WWII service, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the primary source for U.S. military records, and the process is well documented. The same basic steps apply to WWII records as to WWI records, with some differences in form numbers and record availability.
Step-by-step research process
Gather identifying information. You will need the veteran’s full name, service number if known, branch of service, and dates of service.
Request the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). For U.S. Army veterans, use GSA Standard Form 180 and mail it to the National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002. For Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard records, the same form applies, but the records may be held in different locations.
Check for fire-related record losses. A 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed approximately 16 to 18 million Army and Air Force records, including many from WWII. NARA can often provide alternative records, such as draft cards, unit histories, and payroll records, even when the OMPF is incomplete.
Search draft registration cards. Most American men between the ages of 18 and 45 registered for the draft during WWII. These cards are available through NARA and genealogy databases.
Use unit histories and after-action reports. If you know the veteran’s unit, you can search unit histories, morning reports, and after-action reports at NARA or through military history archives.
What the records can tell you
A WWII service record can confirm the veteran’s unit, dates of service, rank, awards, and discharge status. It can also provide information for VA burial benefits, including eligibility for a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Veterans and families should request records early, because the 1973 fire means some records require alternative sources and take longer to assemble.
VA Benefits for WWII Veterans and Surviving Spouses
WWII veterans remain eligible for VA benefits, including disability compensation, pension, health care, and burial benefits, and their surviving spouses may be eligible for survivors’ pension and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The eligibility rules are the same as for veterans of later eras, but the practical reality is that the number of living WWII veterans is small and the survivor population is also aging.
VA health care and disability compensation
A WWII veteran who is not currently enrolled in VA health care can still apply using VA Form 10-10EZ. Disability compensation claims can still be filed for service-connected conditions, and a surviving spouse can file for DIC if the veteran’s death was service-connected. Because the veteran population is so small, VA has processes in place to expedite claims for elderly veterans, but families should not assume a claim will be processed quickly without complete documentation.
Burial benefits
The VA burial allowance, plot or interment allowance, headstone or marker, burial flag, and Presidential Memorial Certificate are all available for eligible WWII veterans. The 2-year deadline for the non-service-connected burial allowance applies, and families should file VA Form 21P-530EZ as soon as possible after the funeral. The service-connected burial allowance has no time limit.
Survivors’ pension and DIC
A surviving spouse of a WWII veteran may be eligible for VA survivors’ pension if the veteran met wartime service requirements and the spouse meets income and net worth limits. DIC is available if the veteran’s death was service-connected. Surviving spouses should contact an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or VA directly to confirm eligibility, because the rules for survivors’ benefits are separate from the veterans’ benefits rules.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Mistake 1: Assuming all WWII veterans have died. They have not. About 30,607 American WWII veterans were alive in 2026, plus veterans of other nations. The cohort is small, but it is not zero.
Mistake 2: Trusting a single “last veteran” headline. Headlines about “the last WWII veteran” usually refer to the last veteran of a specific unit, campaign, or nation—not the last veteran in the world. The world still has living WWII veterans, and the U.S. still has more than 30,000.
Mistake 3: Confusing “veteran” with “combat veteran.” A veteran who served in a support role, such as a clerk, mechanic, or nurse, is still a WWII veteran. The 30,607 figure includes all who served, not only those who saw combat.
Mistake 4: Assuming a less-than-honorable discharge bars all VA benefits. A dishonorable discharge bars most VA benefits, but a general or other-than-honorable discharge does not automatically disqualify a veteran from all benefits. Eligibility depends on the specific discharge characterization and the benefit. Families should not self-disqualify without asking VA or an accredited representative.
Mistake 5: Waiting to request military records. The 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed millions of Army and Air Force records. Some WWII records are incomplete or require alternative sources. Families researching a veteran should start the process early rather than assume the records are available on demand.
Common Questions
Are there any WWII veterans still alive?
Yes. About 30,607 American WWII veterans were alive as of 2026, according to VA statistics compiled by the National WWII Museum. That is less than 0.2% of the 16.4 million Americans who served. Veterans of other Allied and Axis nations are also still living, though their numbers are also small.
How many WWII veterans are alive in 2026?
The most commonly cited U.S. figure is 30,607. The 2025 figure was 45,418, which shows a decline of nearly 15,000 in one year. Worldwide estimates range from roughly 100,000 to 300,000, depending on definitions and data sources.
Who is the oldest living WWII veteran?
Vitantonio Lovallo of Italy, born March 28, 1914, became the world’s oldest living WWII veteran on May 27, 2026, after the death of Ilie Ciocan of Romania. Lovallo’s age has been verified by the Gerontology Research Group and other longevity organizations.
Who is the oldest living American WWII veteran?
Sam Mattox of Louisiana was reported in October 2026 as the oldest living U.S. veteran at age 107. “Oldest living veteran” claims in the U.S. are harder to verify definitively than world supercentenarian records, so Mattox’s status should be treated as the best available reporting.
How old are the youngest WWII veterans?
The youngest American WWII veterans are in their late 90s or just past 100. A person who was 17 or 18 at the end of the war in 1945 is 98 or 99 in 2026. The entire surviving cohort is now centenarian or near-centenarian.
How many WWII veterans die each day?
VA projections imply roughly 40 to 44 American WWII deaths per day, or more than 14,000 per year. Other estimates cite higher figures, such as 131 per day, depending on the projection base. The exact number fluctuates, but the direction is clear: the cohort is shrinking rapidly.
When will the last American WWII veteran die?
VA projects that the last American WWII veteran will die around 2037. That is a projection, not a certainty, and it could shift if a veteran lives to an exceptional age. The practical implication is that the U.S. has roughly a decade left with living direct participants in World War II.
Can I still apply for VA benefits for a WWII veteran?
Yes. Living WWII veterans can apply for VA health care, disability compensation, and pension. Surviving spouses can apply for survivors’ pension and DIC. Burial benefits are available for eligible veterans, and the 2-year deadline for the non-service-connected burial allowance applies.
How do I verify a family member’s WWII service?
Request the veteran’s Official Military Personnel File from the National Personnel Records Center using GSA Standard Form 180. You can also search draft registration cards, unit histories, and genealogy databases. Be aware that the 1973 NPRC fire destroyed many Army and Air Force records from WWII.
Were any WWII veterans women?
Yes. Women served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the Navy WAVES, the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, the Coast Guard SPARs, and the Army Nurse Corps. The 30,607 figure includes women veterans, though their share of the surviving cohort is small because women were a minority of total service members.
What was the last major WWII anniversary before the veteran population became this small?
The 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in 2025 was marked with commemorations that acknowledged the rapidly shrinking veteran population. By the 85th anniversary in 2030, the number of living veterans will be far smaller, and by the 90th anniversary in 2035, VA projects only a few hundred will remain.
Key Takeaways
Yes, WWII veterans are still alive in 2026. About 30,607 American WWII veterans remain, less than 0.2% of the 16.4 million who served.
The cohort is shrinking by roughly 40 to 44 American veterans per day, or more than 14,000 per year, based on VA projections.
The youngest WWII veterans are in their late 90s or just past 100. The oldest living WWII veteran in the world is Vitantonio Lovallo of Italy, born in 1914.
VA projects the last American WWII veteran will die around 2037, which means the U.S. has roughly a decade left with living direct participants in the war.
The U.S. figure is the most reliable quotable number because it comes from VA’s annual veteran population model and is published by the National WWII Museum.
Worldwide estimates vary from roughly 100,000 to 300,000, depending on which countries are counted and how “veteran” is defined.
WWII veterans remain eligible for VA benefits, and surviving spouses may be eligible for survivors’ pension and DIC. Burial benefits are available, with a 2-year deadline for the non-service-connected burial allowance.
Military records are available through NARA, but the 1973 NPRC fire destroyed many Army and Air Force records, so families should start research early.
Headlines about “the last WWII veteran” usually refer to a specific unit, campaign, or nation, not the last veteran in the world.
The surviving veterans are a vanishing primary source. Museums, historians, and families are racing to record their accounts before the cohort is gone.
Official Resources
National WWII Museum — WWII Veteran Statistics: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/wwii-veteran-statistics
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Veteran Population Projections: https://department.va.gov/veteran-population/
National Archives — World War II Military Records: https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww2
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC): https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center
GSA Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records): https://www.archives.gov/files/standard-form-180.pdf
VA — Burial Benefits: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/
VA — Survivor Benefits (DIC and Survivors Pension): https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/survivor-compensation/
VA Form 21P-530EZ — Application for Burial Benefits: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21p-530ez/
VA Form 10-10EZ — Application for Health Benefits: https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction
USA.gov — Military Records: https://www.usa.gov/military-records
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