Birger F. Westergard, Oldest Marine Corps Vet, Dies at 99
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OXNARD — Birger F. Westergard, the oldest surviving veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, has died. He was 99.
Officials said Westergard, a native of Sweden, died Monday in a convalescent hospital here after a brief illness. Graveside services were held last week at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Westergard first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1907 and subsequently served aboard the presidential yacht and traveled around the world with President Theodore Roosevelt’s White Fleet.
Retired Twice
Westergard retired from active duty at the end of World War I, but then re-enlisted at age 57. He finally retired in 1943 with the rank of sergeant after serving in World War II.
A Pentagon spokesman confirmed that Westergard was the oldest Marine veteran.
“I loved the Marine Corps while I served,” Westergard said in an interview several years ago. “And I still love it. I sell it every chance I get.”
Westergard is survived by a son, Daniel, of Idaho; two daughters, Ellenore Broman of Ventura and Margaret Johnson of Florida; 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
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