#100 Jake Larson "Papa Jake" - WWII Veteran

🎙 Episode Title: The Luckiest Man in the World – Leadership Lessons from 102-Year-Old WWII Veteran “Papa Jake”

In this powerful episode of Tales of Leadership, I sit down with Jake Larson—affectionately known as “Papa Jake”—a 102-year-old World War II veteran and national treasure whose story has captivated millions across the world.

Born during the Great Depression and raised on a farm in rural Minnesota, Jake’s journey took him from poverty to the front lines of history. At just 15 years old, he joined the National Guard by lying about his age. That bold decision would place him on the path to help plan the D-Day invasion as part of G3 Operations. Armed with a skill most overlooked—typing—Jake was responsible for processing the very orders that sent thousands of men onto Omaha Beach, including himself.

In this episode, we explore:

• How a typing class in high school saved his life and shaped his service
• What it was like growing up during the Great Depression
• His harrowing first-person account of surviving Omaha Beach under fire
• The leadership philosophy he carried throughout the war—and still lives by today
• How humility, mentorship, and storytelling can carry a legacy across generations

📲 Follow Papa Jake & Learn More:

• TikTok: @storytimewithpapajake
• Instagram: @storytimewithpapajake
• Book: The Luckiest Man in the World → Amazon

🫡 My Why: I’ve seen the cost of poor leadership — how it can destroy morale, break trust, and in the worst cases, lead to lives lost, including through suicide. That’s why I’ve committed my life to helping others lead with purpose. Through Tales of Leadership, I share real stories and actionable insights on how to overcome adversity and become the kind of leader people remember for the right reasons.

👉🏽Leadership Resources: https://linktr.ee/talesofleadership

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- Joshua K. McMillion

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