Louis C. Graziano

Louis Graziano (born February 6, 1923) is an American World War II veteran. He was a master sergeant in The U.S. Army in Europe. He is the last person alive who saw Germany surrender in Reims, France, on May 7, 1945. His work during the war included the D-Day landings and the Battle of the Bulge. He later received the French Legion of Honor and was honored at The White House with the president.

Early life

Louis was born in East Aurora, New York. He was the youngest child of Italian parents. He had to quit school after the eighth grade to start working and help his family. He first worked with his father as a brick mason and later went to school to learn hair styling and became a successful hairstylist. He kept this job until the Army drafted him in 1943.

Military service

General Alfred Jodi signing surrender papers. Louis Graziano joined the U.S. Army on January 22, 1943. After training, he was sent to England and became a master sergeant. He was a utilities foreman for the 102nd Field Artillery Battalion, where he managed 35 men who fixed and built things for the Army. His men nicknamed him "Mayor of Tent City" for his construction work. He landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day on June 6, 1944. He was reported to have used a flamethrower to clear a German machine gun position. After the Battle of the Bulge, his unit moved to Reims, France. Graziano was put in charge of the school building used by General Eisenhower. This place, called the "Little Red Schoolhouse," was chosen for the end of the war in Europe. Because of his job, he was ordered to be in the room when Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. He watched General Alfred Jodl sign the surrender papers. He was honorably discharged in January 1946.

Postwar life and awards

While waiting to leave France, he met and married Sergeant Eula “Bobbie” Shaneyfelt in October 1945. They stayed married for 62 years and raised five children. He moved to Thomson, Georgia, and opened his own hair salon in 1971. His U.S. Army awards include the World War II Victory Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He also has the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. In 2019, he wrote a book about his life. France gave him the French Legion of Honor on September 17, 2021.