Oldest living U.S. veteran James C. Flowers honored at Las Cruces home
James C. Flowers, a 110-year-old Tuskegee Airman and the oldest living U.S. veteran, was honored at his Las Cruces home with the New Mexico Medal of Merit.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recognizes 110-year-old Tuskegee Airman with New Mexico Medal of Merit
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - James Clayton Flowers, a 110-year-old Las Cruces resident, Tuskegee Airman and the oldest living veteran in the United States, was honored Friday at his home with the New Mexico Medal of Merit.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recognized Flowers in a social media post after the ceremony, calling him “a true American hero.” The governor’s office said Flowers received the medal in recognition of a lifetime of service, sacrifice and dedication.
State veterans officials presented the award on the governor’s behalf during a ceremony at Flowers’ Las Cruces home. KRQE reported on the event, and other published accounts identified the presenters as New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Jamison Herrera and State Benefits Director Ed Mendez.
Flowers served during World War II as a first lieutenant and pilot with the 99th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, part of the historic Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the U.S. armed forces.
The recognition honored both Flowers’ military service and his place in history as the country’s oldest living veteran.
Watch the KRQE report:
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
Indivisible Las Cruces plans 'No Kings 3' rally at Albert Johnson Park on March 28 — Organizers say the March 28 event will focus on civic participation, public policy concerns and nonviolent conduct.
NMSU Library launches Loanable Technology Program to support student creativity, academic success — The program lets enrolled students borrow cameras, audio equipment and computer accessories at no cost for coursework, research and creative projects.
Woman sentenced to 10 years in prison in New Mexico after seventh federal reentry conviction — Federal prosecutors say a 60-year-old Mexican national was deported six times before receiving a 10-year prison sentence in the latest reentry case.
