Bethany Township in Harrison County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Last of the American Doughboys
⎯⎯⎯
Harrison County Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2021
1. Last of the American Doughboys
(north side of marker)
(north side of marker)
[north side]
Frank Woodruff Buckles
February 1, 1901 February 27, 2011
Harrison County Native
Last surviving American veteran of World War I.
In his final years he came to represent the entire generation who fought and won
The Great War.
Famous for outliving his compatriots, he represents all Americans who served in WWI with honor but with little recognition.
Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation
Interred at Arlington National Cemetery
Frances Legion of Honor Recipient
[south side]
All gave some Some gave all
All sacrificed time and youth and endured hardship, many suffered wounds and illness, some gave their lives to protect this nation and its citizens and to preserve our Freedom.
Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.
John 15:13
With eternal gratitude
we remember
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1901.
Location. 40° 16.136′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in North Missouri. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Home of Babe Adams (within shouting distance of this marker); General Benjamin M. Prentiss Memorial Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bethany Veterans' Memorial (approx. half
2. Marker detail: Frank Woodruff Buckles
Also see . . .
1. Frank Woodruff Buckles. Wikipedia entry:
United States Army corporal and the last surviving American military veteran of World War I. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 at the age of 16 and served with a detachment from Fort Riley, driving ambulances and motorcycles near the front lines in Europe.(Submitted on February 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)During World War II then aged 40, he was captured by Japanese forces while working in the shipping business, and spent three years in the Philippines as a civilian prisoner. After the war, Buckles married in San Francisco and moved to Gap View Farm near Charles Town, West Virginia. A widower at age 98, he worked on his farm until the age of 105.
2. Frank Woodruff Buckles. Find A Grave website entry:
(Arlington National Cemetery)(Submitted on February 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
When he died at age 110 in February 2011, he was the last of over four million personnel who served in the United States military during World War I.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2021
3. Harrison County Veterans Memorial
(south side of marker)
(south side of marker)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2021
4. Last of the American Doughboys
(north side of marker)
(north side of marker)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2021
5. Harrison County Veterans Memorial
(south side of marker)
(south side of marker)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2021
6. Harrison County Courthouse (southeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 354 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
