“Papa Jake” Larson, a D-Day veteran who survived German gunfire on Normandy’s cliffs in 1944 and later gained 1.2 million followers on TikTok by sharing stories honoring World War II and his fallen comrades, has passed away at the age of 102.
Known for his lively storytelling, warm smile, and generous hugs, Larson, a self-described country boy from Minnesota, continued cracking jokes until the very end, his granddaughter shared while announcing his passing. Tributes quickly poured in from across the United States on his popular TikTok account, “Story Time with Papa Jake,” where he lived in Lafayette, California. Communities around Normandy also honored him for his role in the liberation during World War II.
“Our beloved Papa Jake passed away peacefully on July 17th at 102 years young,” his granddaughter McKaela Larson wrote on social media. “As Papa would say, love you all the mostest.”
Born on December 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Larson joined the National Guard in 1938 by lying about his age, as he was only 15 at the time. In 1942, he was deployed overseas and stationed in Northern Ireland. Rising to operations sergeant, he played a key role in preparing the planning documents for the Normandy invasion.
Larson was one of nearly 160,000 Allied soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He survived heavy machine-gun fire and made it safely to the bluffs overlooking the beach, an area fortified with German gun emplacements that caused severe American casualties.
Reflecting on his experiences during the 81st anniversary of D-Day, he expressed deep respect for his fallen comrades. “We are the lucky ones,” he said, emphasizing the responsibility to honor those who sacrificed their lives.
He later fought through the brutal Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Luxembourg, one of the war’s decisive campaigns that contributed to Hitler’s defeat. For his service, Larson was awarded a Bronze Star and France’s Legion of Honor.
In recent years, Larson frequently returned to Normandy for D-Day commemorations, where he was warmly received by visitors eager for selfies and hugs. One touching moment occurred in 2023 when he met Bill Gladden, a 99-year-old British veteran who also survived D-Day. Larson embraced Gladden, telling him, “We were meant to meet.” Gladden passed away the following year.
Through his TikTok videos and interviews, Larson combined humor with sober reflections on the realities of war. He modestly rejected the label of “hero” and shared a heartfelt plea to world leaders: “Make peace not war.”
Often describing himself as “the luckiest man in the world,” Larson was amazed by the attention he received. “I’m just a country boy. Now I’m a star on TikTok,” he said in 2023. “I’m a legend! I didn’t plan this, it came about.”
Normandy’s museums and organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of D-Day’s heroes paid tribute to Larson, calling him an exceptional witness who touched generations with his stories. The Overlord Museum remarked that his legacy and tales will continue to live on, expressing gratitude for his visits and wishing him peace.
“Thanks for everything, Papa Jake.”
Also Read:
Prominent Evangelical Leader John MacArthur Passes Away at 86
Donald Rose, Britain’s Oldest WWII Veteran, Passes Away at 110
