WASHINGTON, Jan 10: The last known surviving US serviceman wounded in combat in World War I has died of pneumonia. He was 109. Alfred Pugh died on Wednesday, just 10 days short of his birthday, the daily St Petersburg Times said.

Fewer than 300 of the 4.5 million Americans who fought in World War I are still alive, according to the US Veterans Administration. Larry Christman, director of the Florida nursing home for veterans where Alfred Pugh lived, called it "the end of an era".

Mr Pugh had his lungs seared by mustard gas during the Argonne Forest offensive, while serving in the US infantry. He was named chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honour in 1999, the highest honour France bestows.-dpa