The man who is believed to be America’s oldest living World War II veteran is turning 110 years old on Friday.
Frank Levingston enlisted in the Army in 1942, according to NBC News. He served in Italy as a private during the Naples-Foggia Campaign from September 1943 to January 1944 and was discharged in 1945. He said he still remembers his entire military career.
“I can remember the day I was inducted in the Army until the day I was discharged,” he said. “I’ve been through so many dangerous things and I’m still here. I’m thankful to the almighty God for it. That’s all I can say.”
Born in 1905, Levingston grew up as one of seven children in northern Louisiana.
Now, the 109-year-old is living in Lake Charles, La., where he recently received a letter from the White House thanking him for his service and congratulating him on his birthday. “We trust you take enormous pride in everything you have accomplished,” the letter says, according to KPLC-7.
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Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com