CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — This weekend, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) stopped in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to recognize the life of Francis Dalton, also known as the oldest known miner in America.

Dalton, who turned 104 on Sunday, started working in the coal mines with his father at 8 years old, and spent the rest of his life there, aside from the years he spent serving his country during World War II, where he earned a Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice.

“I liked the mines. And I’m glad they're starting back up for the younger boys, they’ll have a lot of fun in there, learn how to take care of themselves. It’s no place to play around,” Dalton told Nexstar's WBOY, which had the opportunity to sit down with the 84-year member of the UMWA.

Dalton has spent more than

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