Earlier this week, it was reported that America’s oldest veteran, 112-year-old World War II veteran Richard Overton, had his bank account infiltrated by thieves. Since then, the entire country has rallied around Overton to try and get some of his money back.
USA Today reported that Overton’s cousin Volma Overton Jr. said that the veteran’s bank account was infiltrated and used to purchase savings bonds without his knowledge. Overton Jr. said that he noticed there were numerous debts in Overton’s bank account for savings bonds on June 27. Though he would not specify how much money was taken or how much was in the account, he did say that it was a large amount of money.
A police report states that both Social Security and banking account numbers belonging to Overton were used to make withdrawals.
The silver lining s that this money was kept separate from a GoFundMe page that Overton’s family created for him in 2015 to help pay for his around-the-clock, in-home care. The campaign raised around $300,000 for him before this incident, but in the past week, that number has now skyrocketed to over $435,000.
Born in Austin, Texas in 1906, Overton served as a marksman in a segregated unit while stationed at Pearl Harbor and Okinawa. During the war, he served in the South Pacific from 1940 through 1945 with stops in Hawaii, Guam, and Iwo Jima.
Overton is very beloved in his community of Austin. For his 112th birthday on May 11, the community celebrated him by joining in his annual block party. Doctors have been left baffled by his survival, given some of his habits that are not associated with making it to old age. Afterall, Overton smokes a dozen cigars a day and loves drinking whiskey and coke.
We’re glad to see that people are coming together to raise money for this elderly veteran who has given so much to his country. If you have the means to do so, please consider donating here!
More About:Lifestyle