WWII hero and TikTok star 'Papa Jake' Larson to be remembered in Normandy as death at 102 draws global tributes

'Papa Jake' Larson was born on 20th December, 1922, in Hope, Minnesota, and was brought up on a family farm. In 1938, at the remarkably young age of 15, he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard by lying about his age, and he desperately wanted to serve his country as Europe was on the verge of entering World War II.

By 1944, Larson had been promoted to staff sergeant in the 135th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army, which was part of the legendary 34th Infantry Division. He managed to secretly plan Operation Overlord, the name of the planned Allied invasion of Normandy, behind the scenes.

On June 6, 1944, he landed on Omaha Beach in the face of fierce fire and was among the men who did not surrender, but drove inland, taking the bluffs above the beach. After the beach invasion, Larson participated in the Battle of the Bulge, which took place in December 1944 and was one of the most significant and bloodiest battles of the war.

The U.S. Army awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for his courage and leadership, and he was later honored with the French Legion of Honor. He returned home in May 1945 after the European campaign, but remained empathetic towards his former comrades-in-arms and the experiences they shared.

Sharing wartime memories through TikTok

In June 2020, McKaela Larson, his granddaughter, got him a TikTok account in the hope that he might share his firsthand experience during World War II with the world. Via the “Story Time with Papa Jake” handle, he started posting brief videos sharing his experiences living during wartime, what he learned, and his thoughts.

His candid approach to the presentation, his friendly smile, and his kind humour appealed to people across generations. All in all, he had over 1.2 million subscribers and 11 million likes on more than 225 videos within the following five years.

In his account, he emphasized that those who never came back home were the real heroes, directing the viewers to remembrance rather than celebration. TikTok helped Papa Jake achieve media coverage, with a profile that included a memorable interview with Christiane Amanpour of CNN as the 80th anniversary of D-Day rolled in June of 2024.

The interview won a News Emmy Award in June 2025, along with Larson and Amanpour. Nevertheless, he refused to accept compliments constantly; he merely regarded it as a way to maintain the memory of those who died in action.

Passing and global tributes to the TikTok star 'Papa Jake' Larson

On July 17, 2025, Papa Jake passed away peacefully at his home in Lafayette, California, at the age of 102. His granddaughter McKaela announced his death on social media, noting that he “went peacefully” and was “cracking jokes until the end,” ending her message with his signature farewell:

“Love you all the mostest.”

News of his passing prompted an outpouring of condolences on TikTok and other platforms from followers around the world. Small towns across Normandy, where he had regularly attended D-Day commemorations, also paid tribute to his visits and storytelling, describing him as an “exceptional witness and bearer of memory”.

Military historians and educators have highlighted the value of his firsthand accounts for younger generations who may never have the opportunity to meet a World War II veteran. Local museums and veteran groups in Normandy have announced that they will feature his stories in upcoming exhibits, ensuring his voice remains part of the narrative of June 6, 1944.

Continuing legacy and remembrance for WWII hero 'Papa Jake' Larson

Aside from the awards and the coverage, Papa Jake is undoubtedly leaving one of the most lasting imprints by simply reminding people to remember those who served. He would often remind the audience that peace does not come easily and is a costly commodity.

A week before his death, at the 81st anniversary of D-Day in June 2025, he spoke of honoring fallen comrades by sharing their stories and keeping the lessons of history in mind. His TikTok videos have found their way into schools and youth associations ever since, as teaching tools, as social media is coupled with in-class communication. These projects are to preserve the experiences of Papa Jake not as a historical reminder, but as a reminder of duty and courage, of what it costs to go to war.

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