Jake Larson, an American World War Two veteran fondly known as 'Papa Jake,' has died at the age of 102, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and admirers across social media. Active during the D-Day invasion in 1944, Larson played a critical role in the Allied forces during one of WWII's most pivotal battles against Nazi Germany.
In his later years, Larson discovered social media, amassing a following of 1.2 million on TikTok, where he shared poignant stories about the war and honored his fellow servicemen. Just three weeks prior to his passing on July 17, he co-won an Emmy Award with renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour for an interview commemorating last year’s 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Reflecting on her grandfather's legacy, McKaela Larson, Jake's granddaughter, took to TikTok to share the news of his passing, revealing that he remained lighthearted and humorous until the very end. "I am so thankful to have shared my Papa Jake with you all. You meant the world to him," she stated, expressing gratitude for the support shown by his followers on the Storytime with Papa Jake TikTok account.
Despite not knowing what TikTok was until introduced to it by his granddaughter, Jake Larson embraced the platform wholeheartedly. He also served valiantly at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII. In recent years, he frequently attended Normandy for memorial events honoring D-Day and its historical significance.
As the community mourns the loss of this cherished figure, McKaela emphasized her commitment to preserving her grandfather's stories and memory, urging the family to be given privacy during this difficult time.
