Charles Coolidge, Medal of Honor Recipient Who Fought Boldly in WWII, Dead at 99

8 Apr 2021

Military.com | By Stephen Losey

Charles Coolidge, one of the nation's most storied World War II veterans and a Medal of Honor recipient, has died at the age of 99.

Coolidge passed away Tuesday at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, while surrounded by his family, the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center announced.

"Tennessee has lost a beloved son and one of its bravest men," Coolidge's grandson Brad wrote in the obituary posted by the center, also located in Chattanooga.

Before his death, Coolidge was the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient. There is now only one other living recipient who was recognized for actions during World War II, Iwo Jima veteran Marine Cpl. Hershel "Woody" Williams. According to the National World War II Museum's website, there were 473 Medal of Honor recipients from that war.