The country’s oldest known living veteran, Emma Didlake, died Sunday, August 16, 2015 just one month after being honored by President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. Didlake was 110 years old. “Emma Didlake served her country with distinction and honor, a true trailblazer for generations of Americans who have sacrificed so much for their country,” Obama said in a statement released Monday. “I was humbled and grateful to welcome Emma to the White House last month, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to Emma’s family, friends, and everyone she inspired over her long and quintessentially American life.” Didlake’s granddaughter, Marilyn Horne, told the San Antonio Express-News that the World War II veteran fell ill Sunday morning and died after complaining she was feeling tired. “It was a month ago today that we went to the White House,” Horne told the media outlet. “I think she felt she had accomplished everything and could take her rest.
