WWII Hero and TikTok Star Papa Jake Larson Dies at 102

In a heartfelt announcement on social media, the world learned of the passing of Jake Larson, a World War II veteran and beloved TikTok sensation known as Papa Jake. He left us on July 17th at the remarkable age of 102, with his humor intact until the very end. His granddaughter, McKaela Larson, shared the news, requesting privacy for the family during this time of loss.

Papa Jake wasn’t just a social media star with over 1.2 million followers; he was a hero of history. He played a pivotal role in planning the D-Day invasion and braved the deadly shores of Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944. Surviving machine-gun fire and the chaos of war, he fought through the Battle of the Bulge and later settled in California with his sweetheart, Lola, to raise a family.

Born in 1922 in Owatonna, Minnesota, Larson’s early life on a farm during the Great Depression shaped his grit. He enlisted in the National Guard at just 15, lying about his age, and was thrust into global conflict after Pearl Harbor. As operations sergeant, he helped craft the plans for Operation Overlord, a turning point in the war.

Decades later, his granddaughter introduced him to TikTok with the handle storytimewithpapajake, turning his wartime stories into viral inspiration. He even penned an autobiography in 2021, aptly titled The Luckiest Man in the World. Returning to Normandy for D-Day anniversaries, he spoke of honoring the fallen, saying, 'We are their family.'

On Independence Day this year, from his home in Lafayette, California, Larson reminded us of the value of freedom, humbly noting that the true heroes were 'those guys upstairs looking down at us.' His legacy of courage, humor, and humility will live on through the stories shared by his family and the millions who followed him online.