Oldest U.S. Army veteran  honored in Panama 

José A. León, 105, the oldest surviving veteran of the United States Army and one of the few remaining veterans of World War II received a tribute from a group of veterans who recently visited him at his home in Arriján, Panama Oeste,  where he lives with his son.   Among them was retired Sergeant Esteban Blis, a U.S. war veteran, who was accompanied by former Sergeant Eutimo Gomez, a veteran duty officer, and Panama-born Vietnam veteran Humberto Butcher.

Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, on September 9, 1921, José León enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, in 1941, as a mechanic.

He retired in August 1961 as a Master Sergeant (E-7) at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, after more than 20 years of active service.

At his advanced age, José A. León speaks clearly and is proud to know that he is one of the oldest veterans in the Americas.

Tributes

In December 2025, veteran Leon received his World War II Victory Medal at the Presidential Palace from war veteran Esteban Blis — through the You Served We Care Foundation — and the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, along with other medals, military orders and the correction of his military record that had not been delivered to him since his retirement in 1961.

In this way, he officially became the first US war veteran to receive all his decorations 63 years after his retirement.

On September 11, 2026, Governor Mayín Correa presented made him a Citizen of the Governorate, for his 105th birthday.

The United States flag will be presented to him by war veteran Esteban Blis, president of You Served We Care Foundation, the superintendent of the American War Memorials Commission, Mr. Joel Lee, and veterans and special guests.