News of a 102-year-old American World War II veteran passing away while traveling to attend the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France was reported by The New York Times (NYT) on June 6(local time).
The NYT reported that Robert Persichitti, who witnessed the raising of the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima, the symbolic scene of the U.S.’s victory in the Pacific War during World War II, passed away in a German hospital on May 31.
Despite having a history of heart disease, Persichitti took the risk of long-distance travel to attend the Normandy landings commemoration. He suffered a medical emergency while aboard a ship en route to Normandy from a stopover, and was quickly transported to a hospital in Germany via flight, but ultimately passed away.
Persichitti served in World War II as a radio operator on the command ship U.S.S. Eldorado, fighting against Japanese forces in Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Guam. After his military service, he worked as a public school teacher. He was also honored in the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.