--- title: "Papa Jake Larson dies at 102" description: "Learn about Jake Larson, a WWII veteran who played a key role in planning the D-Day landings from Brownlow House in Northern Ireland. Discover his involvement in the BIGOT list and his contributions to Operation Torch and the 34th Infantry Division's training during World War II." url: "https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/papa-jake-larson-dies-at-102" date: "2026-08-11T14:33:44+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # Papa Jake Larson dies at 102 ![Papa Jake during the war and the way the world got to know him](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/blog/2025/Papa_Jake/Papa-Jake-dies-at-102-WW2-DDay-veteran.jpg)Papa Jake during the war and the way the world got to know him [](#) [](#) - [](#) Copyright: France TV Washington and Karl Mondon/ Bay Area News Group '**Papa Jake'** **Larson** was born on December 20, 1922, in Hope, Minnesota. At just 15 years old, during a time of economic hardship, he joined the National Guard, seeking a steady income. By the time he graduated from high school, the world was already embroiled in war. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought the United States into the global conflict, and the National Guard units, including Jake’s, were integrated into the U.S. Army. Jake and his fellow Minnesotans were sent to participate in the Louisiana Maneuvers, where they faced extreme heat, humidity, and the relentless presence of insects. ### Reassingment and cross over to Europe Shortly after, Jake fell seriously ill with appendicitis and had to take a brief hiatus from the training. During his recovery, he returned home for a month-long leave. Upon his return, he was reassigned to HQ Company of the 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. By this time, it was late 1942 and the world was fully engaged in World War II. Jake was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where, after a quick trip to New York City, he boarded the Aquitania and sailed across the Atlantic in a convoy bound for the war. ### Planning D-Day During World War II, Brownlow House served as a key base for U.S. troops stationed in Northern Ireland. It was from this location that Jake Larson played an important role in planning the historic D-Day landings and in training soldiers from the 34th Infantry Division before they participated in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. Jake's first station was in Northern Ireland, where he was later transferred to the V Corps, G3 section. In this capacity, he became involved in the planning for Operation Overlord, the massive Allied invasion of Normandy, which would later be known as D-Day. While stationed at Brownlow House, Larson was placed on the BIGOT list, a special group of individuals who worked with information classified at a level higher than Top Secret. This designation was given to personnel involved in the most sensitive and vital operations of the war. The term BIGOT was coined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill before 1942. It referred specifically to the British Invasion of German-Occupied Territory, a term that encompassed the secretive planning of various military operations, including D-Day. The BIGOT list ensured that only those with the highest security clearance were involved in the preparations for these critical missions, which would ultimately shape the outcome of the war. ### Landed on D-Day at Omaha Beach On June 6, 1944, the fateful day arrived. Jake went ashore with the 1st Infantry Division at Omaha Beach in the late morning, amidst the ongoing battle. After crossing the beach and making it to the safety of the sea wall, he was tasked with setting up the operational command post. Once the beachhead was secured, Jake's commanding officer decided that the command post should operate 24 hours a day, and Jake was placed in charge of the night shift, a responsibility he continued throughout the Normandy campaign. This role extended into the Battle of the Bulge during the harsh winter of 1944-45. ### Going home Having been overseas for nearly three years, Jake was granted a 45-day furlough and returned to Minnesota. As the war neared its end, he was given the option to either stay in the U.S. or return to Europe. Jake chose to remain in Minnesota, where he met his future wife. The couple married in November 1945 and settled into postwar life, raising a family and adjusting to civilian life. ### Tik tok sensation In his later years, Jake became a viral sensation known as "Papa Jake." He used social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok to share his incredible life story, quickly amassing a large following. His wisdom and humor resonated with people of all ages, especially younger generations who weren’t familiar with the details of World War II. In August 2021, Jake had the opportunity to connect with students from Crestwood, participating in a Zoom session that allowed them to hear firsthand from a living history of the war. --- Additional info --- ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/blog/2025/Papa_Jake/Papa-Jake-dies-at-102-WW2-DDay-young.jpg)Papa Jake at the beginning of the war --- [ Add your blog post! ](https://www.normandy1944.info/contact#contact) --- - [](https://www.facebook.com/Normandy1944) - [](https://www.instagram.com/Normandy1944) - [](https://www.threads.com/@normandy1944) Share this article on your socials --- Post has been read: 2054 times --- Published on: 19 July 2025 ## Personal view or conclusion on this post Papa Jake will be remembered not only as a decorated World War II veteran but as a kind, friendly and humble man who continued to inspire and educate well into his later years. ### Also read these interesting articles [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/ff/p011351-ff4ae88b.jpg?src=images/photos/France/omaha_beach/p011351.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=47369fdc) ### UNESCO awards D-Day Beaches ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/d-day-beaches-awarded-unesco-world-heritage-status) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/78/Canadian_Scottish_veteran_Nick_Janicki-783936fb.jpg?src=images/blog/2026/Janicki/Canadian_Scottish_veteran_Nick_Janicki.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=f36aedef) ### Canadian Trail Overijssel ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/canadian-trail-overijssel) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/93/German-Pervitin-the-drug-that-the-German-soldiers-used-in-WW2-to-stay-awake-9377056f.jpg?src=images/blog/2026/Drugs_and_more/German-Pervitin-the-drug-that-the-German-soldiers-used-in-WW2-to-stay-awake.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=4953a62c) ### Hygiene, Stimulants and survival in WW2 ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/hygiene-stimulants-and-survival-in-ww2) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/13/Japanese-Army-Proficiency-Badges-by-Andrew-Reznik-139941c1.jpg?src=images/blog/2026/Japanese_Army_Proficiency_Badges_Andrew_Reznik/Japanese-Army-Proficiency-Badges-by-Andrew-Reznik.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=e0503ae5) ### Japanese Army Proficiency Badges by Andrew Reznik ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/japanese-army-proficiency-badges-by-andrew-reznik) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/c3/Auschwitz-Museum-unveils-new-exhibition-on-prisoner-life-c3800aef.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Auschwitz_expo/Auschwitz-Museum-unveils-new-exhibition-on-prisoner-life.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=89c29692) ### Auschwitz Museum unveils new exhibition on prisoner life ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/auschwitz-museum-unveils-new-exhibition-on-prisoner-life) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/7f/Charles-Norman-Shay-young-man-7fbdf29b.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/charles_norman_shay/Charles-Norman-Shay-young-man.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=88e4bbab) ### Charles Norman Shay dies at the age of 101 ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/charles-norman-shay-dies-at-the-age-of-101) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/12/Women-of-the-WRNS-operating-codebreaking-machines-at-Bletchley-Park-12e94403.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Women_on_DDay/Women-of-the-WRNS-operating-codebreaking-machines-at-Bletchley-Park.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=3a0b7804) ### Women in the Normandy Campaign: Unsung Contributions ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/women-in-the-normandy-campaign-unsung-contributions) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/20/Technician-Fourth-Class-George-H.-Pruitt-43rd-20db7067.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/George_H_Pruitt/Technician-Fourth-Class-George-H.-Pruitt-43rd.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=c673514c) ### When honour is hidden: removal of Black American soldiers ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/when-honour-is-hidden-removal-of-black-american-soldiers) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/f1/The-USS-California-on-fire-after-the-Japanese-attack-on-Pearl-Harbor-colorised-f10f5307.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Pearl_Harbor/The-USS-California-on-fire-after-the-Japanese-attack-on-Pearl-Harbor-colorised.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=eaf6ec4c) ### After 84 years, a sailor comes home ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/after-84-years-a-sailor-comes-home) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/b2/Death-of-Lt.-Col.-George-E.-Hardy-b227ccec.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Passing_of_George_Hardy/Death-of-Lt.-Col.-George-E.-Hardy.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=7497832d) ### The passing of the last Tuskegee airman ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/the-passing-of-the-last-tuskegee-airman) [](#) [](#) ## 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