Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 24, 2026

Jake Larson

Jake Melvin Larson, also known as Papa Jake, was an American World War II veteran and TikToker. He was best known for sharing stories about his experiences of World War II on TikTok.

Last revised
Jul 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
Length
868 w
Citations
29
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Jake Larson
Larson in 2025
Born
Jake Melvin Larson1

(1922-12-20)December 20, 1922
Hope, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJuly 17, 2025(2025-07-17) (aged 102)
Lafayette, California, U.S.
OccupationTikToker
Spouse
Lola Cassem
​
​
(m. 1945; died. 1991)​
TikTok information
Page
Years active2020–2025
Followers1.2 million
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
Minnesota National Guard
United States Army
Service years
1938–1945
Rank
Staff sergeant
Unit135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
Conflicts
World War II
Awards

Jake Melvin Larson (December 20, 1922 – July 17, 2025), also known as Papa Jake,234 was an American World War II veteran and TikToker. He was best known for sharing stories about his experiences of World War II on TikTok.5

Early life and career

Larson was born in Hope, Minnesota,6 the son of Fred Larson, a farmer, and Margaret Peterson.7 He joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1938.48 He served with the 135th Infantry Regiment in the 34th Infantry Division in the United States Army during World War II.9 During his military service, he held the rank of staff sergeant, and fought at Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge,8 and was an operations sergeant who was involved in the planning of Operation Overlord.10 He was discharged from his military service in 1945.11 For his military service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Honor.1213

Larson (bottom left) with Mark Milley, 2022 source ↗

Larson's granddaughter created his TikTok account in June 2020.10 His account went viral after his granddaughter posted a video about Larson's military service.14 After gaining popularity on TikTok, in 2021, he wrote his memoir The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the Life of Papa Jake.1015

In June 2025, Larson won a News and Documentary News Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Live Interview. His win was shared with Christiane Amanpour.91617

Personal life and death

In 1945, Larson married Lola Cassem.1819 Their marriage lasted until her death in 1991.20

Larson (left) with Jeffery Broadwater, 2023 source ↗

On December 20, 2022, Larson turned 100.21 He died at his home in Lafayette, California, on July 17, 2025, at the age of 102.2223 At the time of his death, he was the last surviving member of the army's 135th Infantry Regiment.10

References

References

  1. "Who was Papa Jake Larson, the 102-year-old WWII hero and TikTok star who inspired millions?". Firstpost. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  2. "Papa Jake survived D-Day on Omaha Beach, now he's a TikTok star". AP News. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  3. Pender, Caelyn (August 12, 2024). "From Normandy to TikTok: Bay Area WWII veteran shares his wartime stories through online videos". Times-Herald. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  4. Yasmin, Shahana (July 20, 2025). "Jake Larson death: World War II veteran and TikTok star dies aged 102". The Independent. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  5. Somasundaram, Praveena (July 20, 2025). "'Papa Jake' Larson, D-Day veteran who became a TikTok star, dies at 102". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  6. Cowan, Jill (April 24, 2019). "D-Day Veteran to Return to Normandy for First Time in 75 Years". The New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  7. "'Papa' Jake Larson obituary: D-Day veteran and TikTok sensation". The Times. July 25, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  8. Ortiz, Miguel (July 19, 2025). "D-Day veteran and beloved TikTok star Papa Jake Larson dies at 102". We Are The Mighty. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  9. Burgess, Jack (July 20, 2025). "WW2 veteran and TikTok star 'Papa' Jake Larson dies aged 102". BBC News. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via MSN.
  10. Hassan, Adeel (July 20, 2025). "Jake Larson, D-Day Veteran and TikTok Star, Dies at 102". The New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  11. "SSGT Jake M. Larson". Best Defense Foundation. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  12. Duster, Chandelis (July 20, 2025). "Jake Larson, a WWII veteran who became a TikTok star as 'Papa Jake', has died at 102". NPR. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  13. "French Consul General in San Francisco honors 10 veterans". KTVU FOX 2. February 3, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  14. Townsend, Marty (December 5, 2024). "Papa Jake: The 102-year-old TikTok star who narrowly escaped death on D-Day". Forces News. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  15. Lauritsen, John (June 7, 2024). "101-year-old World War II vet becomes viral TikTok sensation for role in D-Day invasion". CBS News. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  16. Garner, Glenn; Pedersen, Erik (June 26, 2025). "News & Documentary Emmy Winners List For Both Nights". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  17. "Veteran "Papa" Jake Larson Wins an Emmy!". The Diablo Gazette. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  18. "Marriage License Applications". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. October 8, 1945. p. 6. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  19. "Life in Brief". The i Paper. July 28, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025 – via PressReader.
  20. "WWII veteran brought to tears seeing a photo of his late wife animated with technology". Walls102. April 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  21. Rousselle, Christine (December 20, 2022). "TikTok star and WWII veteran 'Papa Jake' turns 100, wants future generations to know his stories". Fox News. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  22. Klein, Betsy (July 19, 2025). "Jake Larson, World War II veteran turned TikTok star, dead at 102". CNN. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  23. Braine, Theresa (July 20, 2025). "'Papa Jake' Larson, D-Day vet turned TikTok star, dead at age 102". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
External links