My goodness... 12 years old? So sad what they did to him. He was a true hero.
Several of my relatives served in WWII. One was sent to the front lines right out of high school. Another joined underage because he had nowhere to live, so he lied about his age. He fought in WWII and went on to enjoy a lifelong successful career in the service.
That’s disgusting for what they did to that kid. They should have been shot.
Interesting story on that page. 12 year old kid served, was a hero, when his family was notified mom said he was only 12! The ship’s captain threw him in the brig, and then discharged with no papers.