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Austin's Richard Overton Celebrates His 111th Birthday

KUT 90.5 | By Gabriel C. Pérez
Published May 11, 2017 at 9:10 PM CDT
Gabriel Cristóver Pérez/KUT News
Richard Overton, America's oldest living combat veteran, celebrated his 111th birthday on May 11, 2017.

Today, America's oldest living World War II combat veteran celebrated his 111th birthday.

Richard Overton, born in Bastrop County in 1906, enlisted in the Army in 1940. He served in the South Pacific and left the military in 1945. He's been honored by everyone from Mayor Steve Adler to former President Barack Obama, who invited Overton to Washington, D.C. in 2013 to celebrate Veterans Day.

Overton celebrated his birthday with several events, including lunch at the UT Club and a party at his home in East Austin, which was open to the public. A portion of his street, Hamilton Avenue, was also symbolically dedicated in his honor.

Credit Gabriel Cristóver Pérez / KUT
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Austinites from Overton's neighborhood gathered to celebrate his birthday.

Credit Gabriel Cristóver Pérez / KUT
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KUT
Veronica Silvas, Richard Sanchez and Loretta King (l-r) brought a cake for Overton.
Credit Gabriel Cristóver Pérez/KUT News
Richard Overton, center, enjoys one of his trademark cigars at his 111th birthday party on May 11, 2017.

Credit Gabriel Cristóver Pérez/KUT News
Overton was presented with a cake.

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KUT
Ted Scarborough (left) and fellow WWII veteran John Melching wish Overton a happy birthday.
Credit Gabriel Cristóver Pérez/KUT News
Friends and well-wishers gathered outside his Austin home.

Richard Overton at his 111th birthday party on May 11, 2017.
Credit Gabriel Cristóver Pérez / KUT
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KUT
Overton enjoys a Tampa Sweet cigar.

Credit Gabriel Cristóver Pérez/KUT News
A portion of Hamilton Avenue was symbolically renamed in Overton's honor.

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Gabriel C. Pérez
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