Antonio Pierro

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Antonio "Tony" Pierro (February 22, 1896 [according to his birth certificate] or February 15, 1896 [according to himself] – February 8, 2007) was, at 110, recognized as the oldest living man in the U.S. (since January 9, 2007) and the world's oldest living WWI veteran (since January 24, 2007). He was one of the last surviving veterans of World War I. He was also a combat veteran, making him an even greater rarity.

Pierro was born in the Italian town of Forenza, the son of Rocco and Nunzia (Dell Aquilla) Pierro. His birthdate of February 22, 1896 was recorded as February 24, 1896 in the baptismal records. Pierro claimed, however, that he was a week older and it took a week to register. This cannot be officially verified, and it is not entirely satisfactory, as the birthdate could easily have stated February 15, but it did not. In any case, Pierro was born in February 1896.

Pierro emigrated to the United States in 1914, and lived in Marblehead, Massachusetts and Swampscott, Massachusetts. In 1918 he enlisted in the Army, and trained at Fort Dix before being sent off to combat. Pierro saw action in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Pierro served in France with the 82nd Division A.E.F. [American Expeditionary Forces] 320th Field Artillery. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 2005 in Marblehead and IUE Local 21. He was a former member of the American Legion "Redmen" in Swampscott.

Returning to the U.S. in 1919, he married Mary Pierre in 1920. She died in 1967, however, and they did not have children. In civilian life, Pierro worked for the General Electric jet engine plant in Lynn.

In 2006, Pierro celebrated his 110th birthday. Since December 30, 2006 he was the second-oldest living person in the state of Massachusetts, and one of the few remaining combat veterans of World War I anywhere in the world. He became the oldest verified man in the United States on January 9, 2007, following the death of Thomas Nelson, Sr., and on January 24, 2007, when Emiliano Mercado del Toro died, Pierro became the oldest WWI veteran and second oldest man in the world.

Antonio Pierro died on February 8, 2007, just a few weeks shy of his 111th birthday, in Swampscott, where he lived with his 98-year old brother.