96-year-old WWII vet's harmonica performance of the national anthem at US soccer match goes viral

Pete DuPré, a U.S. Army veteran, is known as "Harmonica Pete."

May 27, 2019, 9:48 AM

It is hard to upstage the superstars of the U.S. Women’s National Team but a 96-year-old World War II veteran armed only with a harmonica managed to do just that Sunday at the team’s match against Mexico.

Pete DuPré, an Army veteran, turned energized soccer fans at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey silent with his rendition on harmonica of the national anthem.

When The Star-Spangled Banner ended, the stadium erupted in cheers for DuPré, known as “Harmonica Pete.”

While DuPré's performance was his debut on the world soccer stage, he is well known to the U.S. team's players.

They visited Normandy with DuPré and three other World War II veterans in January while in France.

The U.S. Women's National Team will return to France this week to defend their World Cup title. The tournament starts June 7.

The team is going into the 2019 World Cup with a victory, having notched a 3-0 win against Mexico on Sunday.