WWII veteran, 101, breaks skydiving record


              In this grab taken from video, Verdun Hayes gestures as he tandem skydiving, in Devon, England, Sunday, May 14, 2017. A 101-year-old D-Day veteran has broken the world record for the oldest tandem skydiver. Hayes, a great-grandfather, jumped out of a plane from 15-thousand feet in Devon, UK, on Sunday accompanied by four generations of his family. (Skydive.buzz via AP)
In this grab taken from video, Verdun Hayes gestures as he tandem skydiving, in Devon, England, Sunday, May 14, 2017. A 101-year-old D-Day veteran has broken the world record for the oldest tandem skydiver. Hayes, a great-grandfather, jumped out of a plane from 15-thousand feet in Devon, UK, on Sunday accompanied by four generations of his family. (Skydive.buzz via AP)

LONDON (AP) - A 101-year-old D-Day veteran has become the oldest person in the world to skydive.

Bryson William Verdun Hayes completed a tandem skydive with members of his extended family on Sunday at an airfield in Honiton, southwest England.

Among those jumping were Hayes' son, grandson, great-grandson and great-granddaughter.

At the age of 101 years, 38 days, Hayes broke the Guinness World Record held by Canada's Armand Gendreau, who jumped in 2013 at 101 years, three days.

Hayes said he had wanted to try skydiving when he was 90, but was talked out it at the time by his late wife. He jumped for the first time last year at 100.

Hayes served in the British Army during World War II, and was awarded France's Legion of Honor for his heroic actions.

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