Retired brigadier general Iosif Rus turned 111 on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, according to Digi24, which cites a Romanian Land Forces message. Officials present him as Romania’s oldest living person and the world’s second most long-lived war veteran; this article invents no further rankings.

Born on 28 October 1915, Rus was awarded the Honor Emblem of the Romanian Army. The Land Forces message quoted by Digi24 links the distinction to respect for a life in the country’s service.

Digi24 notes he knew the hardships of the Second World War, fought on the Eastern Front, was wounded and, after months in hospital, returned to the front. He later devoted 43 years to education, according to the same source.

In 2025, at age 110, he was promoted to brigadier general by presidential decree, a recognition of his merits, the cited message says. The anniversary was marked at the Gherla History Museum Centre.

The 4th Infantry Division “Gemina” sent congratulations and stressed that the sacrifice of those who fought for Romania is not forgotten. Digi24’s photo is credited to Cluj-Napoca Prefecture; RoAdevăr uses a Wikimedia Commons image, not Digi’s hero.

Source: Cel mai în vârstă român a împlinit 111 ani. Generalul Iosif Rus | Digi24