A century of life and a legacy of service took center stage in Washington, D.C., as Senator Ashley Moody honored Duane Brewton, Florida’s oldest living World War II veteran, on the occasion of his 109th birthday.
Speaking from the Senate floor, Moody delivered a formal address to recognize the Cantonment resident’s milestone and his military contributions during one of the most pivotal eras in global history.
Brewton, who celebrated his birthday on February 5, 2026, served as a private in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945. During his deployment, he was stationed in Vire, France, where he was wounded in action.
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His bravery in the line of duty earned him the Purple Heart, a distinction reserved for those wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military. After the war concluded, the Pensacola native returned to his roots in North Florida to raise a family and participate in his local community.
During her remarks, Moody emphasized the importance of acknowledging the dwindling number of survivors from the “Greatest Generation.”
She noted that Brewton represents a rare group of individuals who transitioned from ordinary civilian lives to the front lines of global conflict, often without seeking public praise or accolades. Moody, whose own grandfather served in the Army during the same war, described the act of honoring such veterans as both a privilege and a duty for the state and the nation.
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The tribute highlights Florida’s significant connection to the military community. The state currently hosts over 1.4 million veterans, marking it as one of the largest veteran populations in the United States.
Additionally, Florida holds the second-highest number of living World War II veterans in the country. For Brewton, the Senate recognition serves as a formal bookend to a life defined by a century of discipline and a brief, but impactful, period of wartime service.
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