• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
103-year-old WWII veteran reveals his secret to longevity

Home> News> US News

Published 13:09 16 Jun 2024 GMT+1

103-year-old WWII veteran reveals his secret to longevity

Frank Pugliano Sr. celebrated his 103rd birthday earlier this month

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

No one really knows the secret to living a long life, but it seems a 103-year-old World War II veteran has a pretty good idea.

Frank Pugliano Sr. celebrated reaching the remarkable age earlier this month with his nearest and dearest at Boyce Park, outside of Pittsburgh.

Dressed in his WWII veteran jacket and hat, Pugliano wined and dined on tables that were decorated with little American flags.

The World War II veteran seemingly had a wonderful time, calling his latest birthday the 'greatest day of his life'.

Advert

He told WTAE: “I never thought I’d be here at 103, going from what I went through. You never know. A lot of my friends never made it, but I made it.”

The World War II veteran celebrated his 103rd birthday earlier this month. (Facebook)
The World War II veteran celebrated his 103rd birthday earlier this month. (Facebook)

Pugliano has lived quite the life, which really kicked off when the Italian-born soldier immigrated to the US aged six.

After graduating from Penn Hills High School in 1942, Pugliano enlisted in the US Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater.

Advert

During his time on the front line, the solider survived a Japanese torpedo attack while he was on a convoy mission to Luzon in the Philippines.

Pugliano tragically saw a lot of young men lose their lives during the attack.

In 1945, he was honorably discharged from the Army.

Pugliano married his high school sweetheart Mary Strough when he retuned home, and they were together for 65 years before she passed away in 2011.

Advert

As for work, he became a diesel mechanic back in the US, specializing in heavy equipment.

So, how has the war hero lived such a long and healthy life?

There was even cake! (Facebook)
There was even cake! (Facebook)

Well, you'd think it would be due to something like a good amount of exercise, eating healthy food and just generally looking after yourself.

Advert

But Pugliano told WTAE that he credits Coca-Cola and dark chocolate as the reason he's made it to 103.

I mean, whatever works for you.

After he reached the big 100, Pugliano credited 'good Italian genes' and staying active as the main reasons for his long life.

"I keep busy. I cut my own grass. My diet is whatever I want to eat, I eat," he told TRIBLive in 2021.

Advert

Pugliano’s son, Frank Pugliano Jr., added: "His health is remarkable and he doesn’t look his age. His frame of mind, everything … it’s absolutely incredible."

Featured Image Credit: Frank Pugliano Sr./Facebook

Topics: US News, World War 2, Health

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Mom of 10-year-old girl who had terminal cancer reveals her heartbreaking goodbye to grandfather
  • ‘Highest rated’ WWII movie with ‘sickening 25-minute sequence from hell’ is the ‘most disturbing film’ viewers have ever seen
  • Russian intelligence agency reveals Hitler's final words and other key testimony before his death
  • Area 51 staff reveal top secret project 'permanently altered' man's DNA while others were killed by 'invisible enemy'

Choose your content:

an hour ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Virginia Giuffre's family issue scathing response after Trump claimed Epstein 'stole' her

    Trump explained what Epstein was doing that rubbed him the wrong way

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brooke reveals shocking reason she didn’t attend dad’s tributes

    Brooke Oleksy shut down previous reports that she and her late father were on bad terms

    Celebrity
  • 12 hours ago

    Expert reveals the 3 common names you should never give your baby for surprising reason

    All three are strong names that are popular today, but there's a reason why this expert doesn't think you should name your child them

    News
  • 13 hours ago

    James Gunn responds to Trisha Paytas naming baby ‘Aquaman’ following bizarre Ozzy Osbourne conspiracy

    DC Studios' co-CEO has reacted to the internet celeb having named her baby Aquaman - something she revealed on the day Ozzy Osbourne died

    Celebrity