Frank Buckles, The Last American Veteran Of WWI, Has Passed on

Just like that, living memory transfers exclusively to the domain of recorded or passed-down knowledge.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/28/AR2011022800165.html

"Frank W. Buckles died Sunday, sadly yet not unexpectedly at age 110, having achieved a singular feat of longevity that left him proud and a bit bemused.

In 1917 and 1918, close to 5 million Americans served in World War I, and Mr. Buckles, a cordial fellow of gentle humor, was the last known survivor. "I knew there'd be only one someday," he said a few years back. "I didn't think it would be me."

Mr. Buckles, a widower, died on his West Virginia farm, said his daughter, Susannah Buckles Flanagan, who had been caring for him there."