Posted on 10/26/2015 5:38:53 AM PDT by Leaning Right
The recent post about the Battle of Guadalcanal by Freeper DuncanWaring reminded me of Calvin Graham's story. Graham lied about his age to enlist, and was aboard the battleship South Dakota during the battle. He was wounded in action, and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Graham was twelve years old at the time!
During our nation’s early wars many youngsters served in our armed services particularly the Navy.
During our nation’s early wars many youngsters served in our armed services particularly the Navy.
I don’t know about those other cases, but Graham was treated rather shabbily after his true age was discovered. He never did get all the medals and pay that was due him.
Sure, he broke the law by lying about his age to enlist. But I think I’ll choose to blame the Navy rather than him for that.
A true hero....not like the idiot clock jerk
Carl Von Clausewitz was twelve when he began his military career as well.
His classic book “On War” compiling the military theories of the Prussian command which fought to regain independence from France is still one of the finest military treatise ever written.
An even more amazing story, Marine Corps PFC Jack Lucas. Lied about his age and entered the Corps in 1942, at the age of 14. Had a military school background and a muscular physique, so the recruiters believed he was actually 17.
Lucas eventually wound up in a support unit in Hawaii. Determined to see combat, he stowed away on a transport headed for Iwo Jima. While the ship was at sea, he presented himself to the senior Marine officer onboard, who allowed him to stay (his previous unit had already listed him as a deserter). On Iwo, Lucas was advancing with two other Marines through a ravine when Japanese hand grenades landed near their position. Lucas used his body to cover two grenades, which detonated. His buddies assumed he was dead and moved on; a second group of Marines found him barely alive and summoned corpsmen, who evacuated him to a hospital ship.
When the way was over, Lucas returned to school, as a high school sophomore.
Jack Lucas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacklyn_H._Lucas
Addendum: As you might surmise, Jack Lucas was the youngest MOH recipient during World War II.
bttt
Too Young the Hero with Rick Shroder is available on Netflix, Hulu (free), and Youtube.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/629910
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVSMncKEFF4
http://www.netflix.com/title/70206823
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