We are frequently asked if any Spanish American War Veterans still survive, and if not, who was the last veteran surviving. This page will clarify these issues.

The last surviving veteran:

There are no longer any veterans surviving from the Spanish American War today. The last surviving veteran was Jones Morgan. Mr. Jones passed away in Richmond, Virginia on August 29, 1993 at the incredible age of 110 years, 10 months and 6 days. Mr. Jones had served as a member of the U.S. Cavalry (either 9th or 10th) as a cook and horse wrangler. He has served from 1896 to 1900.

The last "Rough Rider" was Jesse Langdon. He passed away on June 28, 1975. Langdon served in K Troop.

The last member of the 71st New York to pass away was Ralph Waldo Taylor of Pompano Beach, Florida. He passed away on May 15, 1987 at the age of 105. He had served in Company K.

Cohen, Stan, Images of the Spanish American War, April - August, 1898 (New York: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., Inc, 1997) 328.

Walker, Dale, "The Last Rough Riders," Rough Writings (Prescott AZ: Shaarlot Hall Museum Press, 1998), 19