Austin World War II Vet's Home Now Historic Landmark

AUSTIN, TX — The home of Richard Overton — the East Austin resident who became the oldest World War II veteran before his death last year — is now a historic landmark after city council action on Thursday.

Austin City Council members bestowed the historic status on Overton's home during their regular meeting Thursday. Overton was a fixture in the neighborhood, often seen sitting on his porch with his whiskey and cigars as he held court with personal stories about his life.

“He was a physical link to the history of our nation and our city — and now that he’s gone, his house is our physical link to him," Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison said prior to the vote to preserve Overton's home.

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The World War II vet died Dec. 27 at the age of 112. Born in Bastrop County in 1906, Overton enrolled in the U.S. Army in 1940 as part of an all-black engineer aviation battalion. After his service, Overton held court with a number of admirers, including President Barack Obama, who invited him to the White House for a visit.