Joaquim Patrício de Araújo, the oldest living World War II veteran in Brazil, celebrated his 108th birthday in Olinda, Pernambuco.
Joaquim Patricio de Araujo was born in Angélicas, a district of Vicência, Pernambuco, Brazil, on 16 August 1918 (claims 22 August).
Joaquim Patrício joined the Brazilian Army on 20 August 1943. After completing his training at the Marechal Newton Cavalcanti Training Camp, he joined the 4th Echelon of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, embarking for Italy on 23 November 1944, aboard the American troopship General Meigs. In the Italian theater of operations, he served with the historic 1st Infantry Regiment – Sampaio Regiment. His first battle was the Battle of Monte Castello. After the war, he departed from Naples on 12 August 1945, and arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 22 August.
After the war, back in Brazil, Joaquim worked for the National Department of Rural Endemics, contributing to the development of public health in the country. Later, he found an opportunity to better support his family by working in the stevedoring sector at the Port of Recife, maintaining the same disciplined spirit he had developed during his time in the Army.
In 1948, he married Carmelita Alves de Araújo, his lifelong partner, with whom he shared 76 years of marriage until her passing in November 2024, one day shy of her 100th birthday. They had four daughters, who later gave them six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Joaquim Patrício de Araújo on his 108th birthday. We would like to thank Joaquim’s family, especially his granddaughter Fabíola, for the content provided for this article.
