Joaquim Patrício de Araújo is a Brazilian semi-supercentenarian who is currently the oldest living World War II veteran in Brazil.
BIOGRAPHY
Joaquim Patrício de Araújo was born in the district of Angélicas, in Vicência, Pernambuco, Brazil, on 16 August 1918 (claims 22 August). His parents were Manoel Patrício de Araújo and Maria Antônia da Conceição.
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.
RECOGNITION
His age was verified by Iara Souza, Gabriel Ainsworth, and Filipe Lopes, and validated by LongeviQuest on 1 September 2026.
ATTRIBUTION
* “Exército celebra Joaquim Patrício, herói da FEB que completa 107 anos de história e coragem” – Defesa em Foco, 23 August 2025
* “Joaquim Patrício, o mais idoso veterano brasileiro da FEB, é homenageado por Exército e ANVFEB-PE” – Defesa em Foco, 25 July 2026
* “Joaquim Patrício de Araújo, Brazil’s Oldest WW2 Veteran, Turns 108” – LongeviQuest, 23 August 2026
GALLERY
While in Italy.
On his 99th birthday.
At age 99, with his wife Carmelita Alves de Araújo, age 93.
On his 100th birthday, at Mass with his wife Carmelita Alves de Araújo, age 93.
In 2023, aged 104.
On his 107th birthday.
On his 107th birthday, with his four daughters.
On 24 July 2026, aged 107.
On 24 July 2026, aged 107.
On his 108th birthday.
On his 108th birthday.
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