He Fought in Three American Wars — Starting at Age 14

Added: 2026-05-26

John H. Chatham, who enlisted in the Continental Army at age 14 in 1776, fought the British, survived, and then served again in the War of 1812 at age 50, and finally volunteered for the Mexican-American War at age 84 by lying about his age as a wagon driver and camp cook, becoming the only American soldier to serve in all three wars, with his grave marker reading 'He kept showing up.'