Talk about your "old soldiers"...

[Slater]

That's a helluva career:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Thurel

[uffdaphil]

Amazing. Still sword fighting at age 61. One tough old bird.

[Averageman]

I bet he never ran out of "Back when I was a Private" stories.

[Sensei]

Ok, this guy joins John Basilone, Audie Murphy, and Basil Plumley as the biggest badasses in the history of warfare.

[Campbell]

When his regiment was ordered to march to the coast to embark on ships of the French Navy, he was given the opportunity to travel in a carriage due to his advanced age. The 88-year-old Thurel refused the offer and marched the entire distance on foot, stating that he had never before traveled by carriage and had no intention of doing so at that time.[4] His humility is evident in his steadfast refusal to accept any promotions; he remained a low-ranking fusilier for his entire military career.[3][5]



Yea, that's a bad-ass...

[crusader377]

Although, not quite as old as this individual, Alexander the Great's Silver Shields were pretty aged when fighting the wars of succession after he died. The average age of this corps of men was over 60 and these were men who served undefeated with Alexander's father Phillip and later marched with Alexander and conquered nearly 2 million sq miles from Greece to India and destroyed the Persian Empire which was the largest empire in the world.

"At this time the youngest of the Silver Shields were about sixty years old, most of the others about seventy, and some even older; but all of them were irresistible because of experience and strength, such was the skill and daring acquired through the unbroken series of their battles."

Diod.19.41.2

Here are some additional information.
http://www.academia.edu/2397748/The_Silver_Shields_Philips_and_Alexanders_Hypaspists

http://www.ancientl.com/roman/old-men-ancient-warfare/

[Whiskey_Bravo]

Thurel died on March 10, 1807 after serving 92 uninterrupted years as an infantryman.


WOW, that is amazing.

[Whiskey_Bravo]

Here is another good one.

http://listverse.com/2014/08/10/10-old-timers-who-kicked-ass-during-wartime/

Samuel Whittemore


Samuel Whittemore was born in England on July 27, 1695 and went on to become a captain for His Majesty’s Dragoons. He saw action against the French in 1745 during the capture of Fort Louisbourg, again in 1758, and as part of the colonial armies during the Indian Wars. After a lifetime of war, the Englishman decided to retire in the colonies, purchasing a farm in what is now Arlington, Massachusetts. He learned to love this new land he called home and the ideals for which it stood.

On April 19, 1775, British forces were regrouping in Boston after the Battles of Lexington and Concord when they were met by a ragtag group of 50 militiamen. Whittemore might have heard the ruckus of the battle, or perhaps the news spread among the townsfolk, but however he was alerted, the 80-year-old farmer sprang into action. He loaded his musket, armed his dueling pistols, and strapped his French saber around his waist before telling his astounded family that he was “going to fight the British regulars” and advising them to remain indoors until it was safe.

Whittemore opened his door to an unbelievable sight: Redcoats marching along the street while minutemen provided inaccurate fire from a distance. He saw his chance when the British were close. He aimed his musket, killing a British soldier. He then drew his dueling pistols and fired at two more soldiers, killing one and mortally wounding another. With no time to reload and the British upon him, he brandished his French saber, slashing at anyone who dared come near.

The British did dare, and much more—one shot him point-blank in the face, while others bayoneted him. They then clubbed the poor farmer in the head and left him for dead. The townsfolk and Whittemore’s family feared the worst, but upon closer inspection, they found him alive and trying to reload his musket despite 13 bayonet wounds, a bloody head, and a torn face. Whittemore was rushed for treatment, and death would have to wait nearly 20 more years to claim him.

News of Whittemore’s courageous stand inspired many, though it took centuries for him to receive his greatest honor. In 2005, Whittemore was declared the State Hero of Massachusetts. Every year on February 3, the anniversary of his death, the state celebrates his legacy.