Dorothy Schmidt Cole, oldest living Marine, dies at 107

January 18, 2021

Associated Press,

KANNAPOLIS, NC (AP) — A North Carolina woman recognized as the oldest living U.S. Marine has died at age 107.

The Marine Times says Dorothy Schmidt Cole died of a heart attack at her daughter’s home in Kannapolis on Jan. 7.

Our deepest condolences to the family of U.S. Marine Sergeant Dorothy Cole. A Kannapolis resident, Dorothy (Dot), passed away last week. At 107 years old, she was the oldest living U.S. Marine. Semper Fidelis pic.twitter.com/CVRRdV8c7q

— Kannapolis, NC (@Kannapolis) January 14, 2021

The Corps recognized Cole as the oldest living Marine on her birthday in September.

According to Marine Times, Cole enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Cole had attempted to join the Navy two years earlier but was told she didn’t meet their height standards.

She is survived by her daughter.