CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. (AP) - The federal government has bent the rules: Frank Buckles, the last living American-born veteran of World War I, can be buried at Arlington National Cemetery when the inevitable happens.
At 107, Buckles is the last surviving American-born veteran of the war.
Though he was eligible for cremation and placement in a columbarium, his daughter says that's not what he wanted.
Susannah Flanagan says friends took up the cause, calling and e-mailing the Pentagon, the White House and others for an exception.
On March 19th, Buckles received a letter saying he may be buried underground at Arlington.
Normally, burial has several criteria, including earning one of five medals. But Buckles, who was a teenager, never saw combat.
At 15, he visited a string of military recruiters, lying about his age until he finally persuaded an Army captain he was 18.
Buckles spent his tour of duty working mainly as a driver and a warehouse clerk in Germany and France.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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