Owen Thomas Edgar

Owen Thomas Edgar (June 17, 1831 – September 3, 1929) was, according to data from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the longest surviving U.S. veteran of the Mexican–American War.

Owen Thomas Edgar
Born(1831-06-17)June 17, 1831
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedSeptember 3, 1929(1929-09-03) (aged 98)
Washington, D.C.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1846–1849
RankApprentice First Class
UnitUSS Potomac
USS Allegheny
USS Pennsylvania
USS Experience
Battles/warsMexican–American War

Biography

The headstone of Owen Thomas Edgar at the Congressional Cemetery

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Navy as a 2nd-class apprentice on February 10, 1846, and was discharged as an Apprentice First Class on August 8, 1849. Edgar saw service on the frigates Potomac, Allegheny, Pennsylvania and Experience.

After the war, he worked at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for 21 years, then worked at a bank for another 31 years. He spent his last 10 years living at the John Dickson Home in Washington, D.C. Edgar died September 3, 1929 at the age of 98 after suffering a fall from a chair that fractured his leg, and was buried in Washington's Congressional Cemetery.


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