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The Civil War veteran who served in WWI
Peter Hains, in 1861 a newly-minted artillery lieutenant who fired the first cannon at First Bull Run, in 1898 a brigadier general, retired in 1904, recalled to service in 1916 at age 76 as the oldest officer on active duty.
He lies in Arlington with his sons, Col. John Hains, who at his death was the oldest living West Point graduate, and Captain Peter Hains, and his grandson, Maj. Gen. Peter Hains III, who commanded in North Africa.
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I wonder if this is the biggest span of wars ever? Were there any Korea or even WWII vets around for Desert Storm?
"Were there any Korea or even WWII vets around for Desert Storm?"
Yes, there were. However they had to stand on the sidelines, since we tend not to allow people in their 70s to serve on active duty these days. I believe that Admirals Hyman Rickover and Grace Hopper were the last to serve that long.
So many Americans Families have served for several generations. My Family has served since the civil war in both The Navy and The Army for 4 generations.