ABC News December 3, 2020

104-year-old WWII veteran survives COVID-19, released from hospital on birthday

WATCH: WWII veteran survives COVID-19, released from hospital on 104th birthday

A World War II veteran defeated COVID-19 just days before his 104th birthday.

Last week, Major Wooten was admitted to Madison Hospital in Madison, Alabama, to fight the virus. On Dec. 2, he emerged victorious when doctors said that he would be fine to recover at home.

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On Dec. 2 Major Wooten, 104, was released from Madison Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama after surviving COVID-19.

The staff sang “Happy Birthday” to the veteran during his send off and his granddaughter, Holly McDonald, was there to welcome him back.

MORE: CDC to encourage 'Vaccinated for COVID-19' buttons

“We are just so blessed to have him home with us… and he is going to make it through it,” said McDonald, who added that Wooten is doing well.

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Granddaughter Holly McDonald welcomed Major Wooten home.

Wooten, who is now a great grandfather, was a private first class in the U.S. Army and helped rebuild trains overseas during the war. He had joined “World News Tonight” last year on the trip back to the Normandy beaches in honor of the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

ABC News' "World News Tonight With David Muir" recently met with several World War II veterans across the U.S. and traveled with them as they made their journey back to Normandy, France.
MORE: World War II veterans return to Normandy for 75th D-Day anniversary: 'You can't forget'

Nurse Shelby Hogan said that she is grateful for Wooten and the example he sets for us all.

ABC
Nurse Shelby Hogan said that she is grateful for Major Wooten.

“Even at 104-years-old, he is fighting off this coronavirus just like so many other things that he’s fought off in his life,” said Hogan. “He served our country and we are so grateful for that. It’s just a reminder that every day we need to wake up and fight coronavirus just as hard as Mr. Wooten.”