American flags and New Jersey state flags are being flown at half-staff today on orders from President Barack Obama and Gov. Chris Christie.
Obama has asked all federal buildings to fly flags at half-staff in honor of Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I, and to recognize the generation of American veterans of World War I.
Christie has also directed the flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey to be flown at half-staff at all state departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours today.
Buckles passed away of natural causes on Feb. 27, he was 110 years old.
He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 16-years-old after several rejections to enlist due to his slight weight and age. He was sent to Europe during World War I where he drove ambulances and motorcycles for the Army’s 1st Fort Riley Casual Detachment in England and France. After the Armistice in 1918, Buckles escorted prisoners of war back to Germany. Though not enlisted in the military during World War II, he was captured by the Japanese as a prisoner of war and spent several years in Los Banos prison camp before being rescued in 1945.
On Feb. 28, Obama ordered that the United States flag be flown at half-staff on all government buildings on March 15 when Buckles is buried. Several other states also ordered state flags also be flown at half staff today.
A special ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater Chapel and interment is being held today where Buckles will be buried with full military honors.
A statue in his honor is planned for his home town in West Virginia.
