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Arizona's Longest-Living Veteran Dies In Tucson At Age 105

Navajo Nation

Navajo Nation officials say a 105-year-old woman who served in World War II and was Arizona’s longest-living veteran has died. They say Sophie Yazzie died Saturday in Tucson.

Yazzie, who was born in 1914 in Canyon de Chelly, enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 28 and served until she was honorably discharged.  Following her military service, Yazzie returned home and worked at Wingate Boarding School while raising her children with her husband before retiring.

Credit Navajo Nation
A youthful Sophie Yazzie in uniform during her term of service in the Women’s Army Corps in World War II. Sophie passed at the age of 105 on Jan. 25, 2020.

Tribal officials say she had four children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with her late husband Jordan B. Yazzie.

Her funeral services are pending.