Tuesday, 27th May 2008 (289 views)

The United States' last known veteran of World War I has been honoured with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Gold Medal of Merit in his home state of Missouri, according to reports.

To mark Memorial Day in the US, Frank Woodroof Buckles, now 107, received the medal at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, the Kansas City Star reports.

Mr Buckles was underage when he enlisted in the American Army in 1917. After training in the States, he was shipped to France where he served as an ambulance driver until the end of the war, after which he assisted in retuning German prisoners of war to their homes. He was discharged in 1919.

Of the 4.7 million Americans estimated to have served during the conflict, he is now thought to be the only one left alive, the site adds.

A delegation of French citizens travelled to the ceremony to mark Mr Buckles' service and a representative of the country's government said it would be happy to replace his French Legion of Honour medal, which has become damaged in the 90 years since the Armistice.

The United States joined the war in April 1917 and by the following year was shipping 10,000 men to France every day. The conflict ended on November 11th, 1918.

 

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