John Painter (supercentenarian), Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetJohn Painter (supercentenarian)
American supercentenarian
Date of Birth: 20-Sep-1888
Place of Birth: Tennessee, United States
Date of Death: 01-Mar-2001
Profession: military personnel
Nationality: United States
Zodiac Sign: Virgo 
About John Painter (supercentenarian)
- John George Painter (September 20, 1888 – March 1, 2001) was an American supercentenarian who was posthumously recognized as the world's oldest man and oldest American veteran.
- He was born on September 20, 1888 on a farm in Jackson County, Tennessee.
- As a child, he attended school and worked on the farm.
- Longevity ran in Painter's family; his father lived to 99, and his siblings lived to ages between 87 and 105. In 1917, at age 29, he enlisted in the United States Army.
- As a part of Battery D in the 115th Artillery Battalion, he hauled ammunition and artillery supplies, including field guns, transporting all the supplies on horses or mules.
- Painter saw action at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
- Eighty days after the armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, Painter received the highest French honor, the Légion d'honneur award.
- He also received the Croix de Guerre and was one of only six Tennessee World War I veterans to be awarded the Tennessee Distinguished Award.
- Painter had to leave his son, Sean Humphrey Painter, when he went to war.
- He was discharged from service on April 12, 1919, after serving in the army for two years.After his discharge, Painter pursued a career as a blacksmith and married his childhood sweetheart, Gillie Watson.
- The couple adopted two daughters.
- On November 19, 1999, Painter was recognized as the world's oldest veteran at age 111.
- On September 20, 2000, Tennessee Representative Bart Gordon read a proclamation in honor of John's 112th birthday.On March 1, 2001, John Painter died at the age of 112 years, 162 days at his home in Hermitage Springs, Tennessee of a heart attack.
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