‘Papa Jake’ Larson, D-day veteran and TikTok star, dies aged 102

Larson, who survived Normandy landings, gained 1.2 million followers on social media platform by sharing second world war stories

D-day veteran ''Papa Jake'' Larson, who survived German gunfire on Normandy's beaches in 1944 and then garnered 1.2 million followers on TikTok late in life by sharing stories to commemorate the second world war and his fallen comrades, has died aged 102.

An animated speaker who charmed strangers young and old with his quick smile and generous hugs, the self-described country boy from Minnesota was cracking jokes til the end,'' his granddaughter wrote in announcing his death.