Governor Honors 102 Year-Old WWII Veteran

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. met with 102 year-old WWII veteran Bea Cohen today at the State Capitol, as part of celebrations honoring Women’s Military History Week. Ms. Cohen is believed to be the oldest living female WWII veteran in California and one of the oldest in the country.

A native of Buhush, Romania, Ms. Cohen witnessed the start of WWI before immigrating to the United States as a child. When the second World War started, Ms. Cohen produced munitions and war supplies at the Douglas Aircraft Company in Los Angeles before enlisting in the U.S. Army. As a Private First Class, she was assigned to Elveden, England, where she worked in top-secret communications. Today, Ms. Cohen lives in Los Angeles and still attends meetings at the West Los Angeles Veterans Home.

Earlier today, Ms. Cohen was the guest of honor at a state reception honoring all women veterans and military personnel, where she was recognized by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Governor’s Office and the California State Assembly.