Youngest Living WWII Veteran Age: Quick Answer
The youngest living World War II veterans are approximately 97 to 98 years old in 2026. Someone who enlisted at age 17 in 1945 would be about 98 today. Most surviving WWII veterans are in their late 90s or over 100. No verified living WWII veteran is younger than 97.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Youngest Living WWII Veteran Age (2026) | Approximately 97–98 years old |
| Youngest Possible WWII Enlistee | Age 17 in 1945 → ~98 in 2026 |
| Known Youngest WWII Veteran (Historical) | Calvin Graham, enlisted at age 12 in 1942 |
| Most Common Age of Living WWII Vets | 97–103+ |
| Total Living WWII Veterans (2026) | ~31,000 (VA) to ~45,000 (National WWII Museum) |
| Primary Data Sources | VA VetPop2023; National WWII Museum; news reports |
| Updated For | September 2026 |
How Old Is the Youngest Living WWII Veteran?
The youngest living WWII veterans are about 97 to 98 years old in 2026. This age is calculated from the last year of the war. World War II ended in 1945. The youngest Americans who could legally enlist at that time were 17 years old with parental consent. Someone born in 1928 who enlisted at 17 in 1945 would turn 98 in 2026.
Some researchers place the youngest possible age at 97. A person who was 16 in 1945 — having lied about their age to enlist — would be about 97 today. The age range depends on exactly when the person served and whether they used a falsified birth date.
The 1945 Enlistment Math
| Enlistment Year | Age at Enlistment | Birth Year (Approx.) | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early 1945 | 17 | 1928 | 98 |
| Mid 1945 | 17 | 1928 | 98 |
| Late 1945 | 16 (falsified) | 1929 | 97 |
| Early 1944 | 17 | 1927 | 99 |
The youngest surviving veterans are now in their late 90s, and the VA projects the number will reach near zero by the early 2040s. Even the youngest WWII veterans are approaching their 100th birthdays.
Why No One Younger Exists
No verified living WWII veteran is younger than 97. The war ended on September 2, 1945. Anyone who served during the war’s official period had to be born no later than 1928 (to be 17 by 1945) or 1929 (to be 16 with falsified documents). That makes them at least 97 years old in 2026.
The youngest active-duty sailors on December 7, 1941, would have been about 17, making them 98 today. Most of those still alive are at least 100.
The Youngest Known WWII Veteran in History
Calvin Leon Graham is the undisputed youngest U.S. service member to fight in World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 15, 1942, at just 12 years old. He was born April 3, 1930, in Canton, Texas.
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Check EligibilityGraham lied about his age and forged his mother’s signature to join. He was only five-foot-two and 125 pounds at the time. The Navy did not question his age.
Graham served aboard the USS South Dakota and was wounded during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His mother revealed his true age, and he was discharged in 1943 at age 13. He later joined the Marine Corps in 1948 at age 17.
Calvin Graham died on November 6, 1992, at age 62. He is not the youngest living veteran — he passed away more than three decades ago. But his story defines the extreme end of the age spectrum for WWII service.
Other Notable Young Enlistees
| Name | Age at Enlistment | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Graham | 12 | U.S. Navy | Youngest confirmed U.S. serviceman |
| Robert “Bob” Kelso | 13 | U.S. Army | Drafted due to record error; served in Germany |
| Sergey Aleshkov | 12 | Soviet Red Army | Youngest soldier in WWII overall |
| Marcel Pinte | 6 (messenger) | French Resistance | Youngest recorded WWII participant |
Age Distribution of Surviving WWII Veterans
Most surviving World War II veterans are now between 97 and 103 years old, with a significant number over 100. The VA states that most living veterans from the war are mid-to-late 90 years of age or older.
Age Range Breakdown
| Age Range | Estimated Share of Living WWII Veterans |
|---|---|
| 97–99 | ~50% |
| 100–102 | ~35% |
| 103+ | ~15% |
Eight World War II veterans, ranging in age from 98 to 107, were honored at a 2026 event in Florida. Two of them — Frank Kurowski and Hanley Taylor — were 98 years old at the time, representing the youngest edge of the surviving population.
David Yoho, a WWII veteran who served aboard a tanker in the Pacific at age 16, turned 98 in 2026. He delivered a viral message at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., saying, “Tell them it was a 16-year-old boy in the heart and mind and body of a 98-year-old veteran of World War II”.
Glenn Johnson, an Army veteran, celebrated his 98th birthday in September 2026 at a museum event in Beckley, West Virginia.
The “Youngest” Label Is Approximate
No organization maintains a verified list of the youngest living WWII veteran by name. The age range of 97–98 is an estimate based on service records and enlistment rules. Some veterans who falsified their age may be slightly younger than official records suggest. Some researchers place the youngest combat veteran at 96 as recently as 2023, though those individuals would be 99 by 2026.
The youngest surviving veterans are now in their late 90s, and the VA projects the number will fall to roughly 7,000 by 2029.
How the Youngest Age Has Changed Over Time
The age of the youngest living WWII veteran increases by one year, every year. This is a simple function of time. The youngest veteran alive in 2000 would have been about 72. In 2026, that same person would be 98 — if still alive.
Historical Snapshots
| Year | Youngest Living WWII Veteran Age (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 72 |
| 2010 | 82 |
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2023 | 95–96 |
| 2026 | 97–98 |
| 2030 | 101–102 |
In 2023, a researcher interviewing WWII veterans said “The youngest combat veteran is 96, so time is of the essence when it comes to capturing their stories”. By 2026, that same veteran would be 99 — or may have passed away entirely.
The age range of living WWII veterans has compressed dramatically. In 2000, survivors ranged from their 70s to their 90s. By 2026, the entire surviving population is concentrated in a narrow band from 97 to 110 or older.
How Many WWII Veterans Are Still Alive in 2026?
About 31,000 to 45,000 U.S. World War II veterans remain alive in 2026, depending on the source. The VA projects approximately 31,000 living WWII veterans using its VetPop2023 model. The National WWII Museum estimates about 45,000 based on actuarial data.
The VA’s VetPop2023 model counted about 95,000 living WWII veterans in fiscal 2023 and projects about 31,000 by fiscal 2026. That is more than two-thirds of the 2023 survivors, gone in three years. The count is falling by more than 14,000 a year right now, about 40 every day.
Population Decline
| Year | Estimated Living WWII Veterans |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5,700,000 |
| 2018 | ~500,000 |
| 2021 | ~240,000 |
| 2023 | 95,000 |
| 2025 | 45,418 |
| 2026 | 31,000–45,000 |
| 2029 (projected) | ~7,000 |
| Early 2040s | ~0 |
The VA expects fewer than 10,000 living WWII veterans by 2029 and fewer than 1,000 by 2034. At that point the survivors would be about 107 years old or older. A handful of supercentenarians may stretch the timeline slightly, but the trajectory is set by basic demography.
VA Benefits for the Youngest Living WWII Veterans
Surviving WWII veterans remain eligible for all VA benefits, regardless of age. The youngest living veterans — those 97 and 98 — can still apply for disability compensation, health care, pension, and burial benefits. Age does not limit eligibility for any VA benefit.
Disability Compensation
WWII veterans can file a claim for service-connected conditions using VA Form 21-526EZ. Common service-connected conditions among WWII veterans include hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, chronic injuries from combat or training, and conditions related to toxic exposure.
What to do next: Apply online at VA.gov using VA Form 21-526EZ. You can also file an intent to file to preserve your effective date while gathering evidence. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help for free.
VA Health Care
WWII veterans are eligible for VA health care and are generally placed in a high-priority group. Veterans who receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability or are former prisoners of war are eligible for Priority Group 1 or 2. Apply online using VA Form 10-10EZ at VA.gov.
VA Pension
WWII veterans who served during the wartime period of December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 may qualify for Veterans Pension if they are age 65 or older or permanently disabled and have income and net worth below VA limits. The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699. Apply online using VA Form 21P-527EZ.
Burial Benefits
Surviving spouses of WWII veterans can claim burial allowances and burial in a VA national cemetery. The VA provides a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a government headstone or marker at no cost. Apply online at VA.gov.
Common Questions
1. How old is the youngest living WWII veteran in 2026?
The youngest living WWII veterans are approximately 97 to 98 years old in 2026. Someone who enlisted at age 17 in 1945 would be 98 today. A veteran who lied about their age and enlisted at 16 would be about 97. No verified living WWII veteran is younger than 97.
2. Who was the youngest person to serve in WWII?
Calvin Leon Graham is the youngest confirmed U.S. serviceman in World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 15, 1942, at just 12 years old. He was wounded at Guadalcanal and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He died in 1992 at age 62.
3. Why are there no WWII veterans younger than 97?
World War II ended on September 2, 1945. To serve during the war, a person had to be at least 16 or 17 years old (often with falsified documents). Anyone born after 1929 would have been too young to serve. That makes the youngest possible survivor at least 97 in 2026.
4. How many WWII veterans are still alive in 2026?
About 31,000 to 45,000 U.S. WWII veterans remain alive in 2026. The VA projects approximately 31,000. The National WWII Museum estimates about 45,000. Both figures confirm that less than 0.5% of the 16.4 million Americans who served are still living.
5. When will the last WWII veteran die?
The last American WWII veteran is projected to pass away around 2043, according to VA projections. The VA estimates fewer than 1,000 will remain by 2034. Some estimates suggest the last survivor could pass between 2035 and 2040.
6. Can a 98-year-old WWII veteran still apply for VA benefits?
Yes. Age does not limit eligibility for any VA benefit. A 98-year-old WWII veteran can apply for disability compensation, health care, pension, and burial benefits. Apply online at VA.gov or through an accredited VSO representative.
7. How fast is the WWII veteran population declining?
The population is declining by approximately 131 veterans per day, or about 4,000 per month. The VA projects the count will fall to roughly 7,000 by 2029. By the early 2040s, essentially no living WWII veterans will remain.
8. What benefits can a surviving spouse claim after a WWII veteran dies?
Surviving spouses can claim Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors Pension, burial allowances, CHAMPVA health care, and Chapter 35 education benefits. DIC pays $1,699.36 per month tax-free in 2026. Apply online using VA Form 21P-534EZ.
9. Are there any WWII veterans who are 100 or older?
Yes. A significant share of surviving WWII veterans are over 100. Eight veterans honored at a 2026 event ranged in age from 98 to 107. John Dorsey of Dayton, Ohio, celebrated his 107th birthday in April 2026. Most surviving veterans are in their late 90s or over 100.
10. How can I verify a family member’s WWII service?
Request military records through the National Archives’ National Personnel Records Center using Standard Form 180 (SF-180). If the veteran received VA benefits, VA records can confirm service dates and discharge status. Allow 2–4 weeks for processing. This is useful for applying for survivor benefits.
Key Takeaways
The youngest living WWII veterans are about 97–98 years old in 2026, based on 1945 enlistment math.
No verified living WWII veteran is younger than 97. The war ended in 1945, making anyone who served at least 97 today.
Calvin Graham, the youngest known WWII veteran, enlisted at age 12 in 1942. He died in 1992 and is not the youngest living veteran.
Most surviving WWII veterans are 97 to 103+ years old. The age range has compressed dramatically since 2000.
About 31,000 to 45,000 WWII veterans remain alive in 2026, down from 5.7 million in 2000.
The population is declining by about 131 veterans per day. Fewer than 10,000 will remain by 2029.
WWII veterans of any age remain eligible for all VA benefits, including disability compensation, health care, pension, and burial.
The last American WWII veteran is projected to pass around 2043.
Surviving spouses can claim DIC ($1,699.36/month tax-free), Survivors Pension, CHAMPVA, and Chapter 35 benefits.
No organization maintains a verified list of the youngest living WWII veteran by name — the age range is an estimate based on service records and enlistment rules.
Official Resources
VA.gov — Veteran Population Projection Model (VetPop2023) — Official VA veteran population data and projections
VA.gov — National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics — Historical and current veteran population data
National Archives — National Personnel Records Center — Request WWII military service records
National WWII Museum — Living census and historical WWII data
USA.gov — Veterans Benefits — General government benefits information
VA.gov — Survivor Benefits — DIC, Survivors Pension, and burial benefits
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