Jake Larson

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Jake Larson
File:D-Day Veterans at Normandy, 81st Anniversary (9082668) (cropped).jpg
Larson in 2025
Born
Jake Melvin Larson

(1922-12-20)December 20, 1922
Hope, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJuly 17, 2025(2025-07-17) (aged 102)
Lafayette, California, U.S.
OccupationTikToker
Spouse
Lola Cassem
​
​
(m. 1945; died 1991)​
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
BranchMinnesota National Guard
United States Army
Service years1938-1945
RankStaff sergeant
Unit135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
ConflictsWorld War II
Awards

Jake Melvin Larson[1] (December 20, 1922 – July 17, 2025), also known as Papa Jake,[2][3][4] was an American World War II veteran and TikToker. He was best known for sharing stories about his experiences of World War II on TikTok.[5]

Early life and career

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Larson was born in Hope, Minnesota,[6] the son of Fred Larson, a farmer, and Margaret Peterson.[7] He joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1938.[4][8] He served with the 135th Infantry Regiment in the 34th Infantry Division in the United States Army during World War II.[9] During his military service, he held the rank of staff sergeant, and fought at Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge,[8] and was an operations sergeant who was involved in the planning of Operation Overlord.[10] He was discharged from his military service in 1945.[11] For his military service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Honor.[12][13]

File:Ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery concludes D-Day 78 Anniversary (7677336).jpg
Larson (bottom left) with Mark Milley, 2022

Larson created his TikTok account in June 2020.[10] His account went viral after his granddaughter posted a video about Larson's military service.[14] After gaining popularity on TikTok, in 2021, he wrote his memoir The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the Life of Papa Jake.[10][15]

In June 2025, Larson won a News and Documentary News Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Live Interview. His win was shared with Christiane Amanpour.[9][16][17]

Personal life and death

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In 1945, Larson married Lola Cassem.[18][19] Their marriage lasted until her death in 1991.[20]

File:WWII Veterans Flight- D-Day 79 (7831938).jpg
Larson (left) with Jeffery Broadwater, 2023

On December 20, 2022, Larson turned 100.[21] He died at his home in Lafayette, California, on July 17, 2025, at the age of 102.[22][23] At the time of his death, he was the last surviving member of the army's 135th Infantry Regiment.[10]

References

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