[j.havenfarm]

I’m surprised it’s so many. If one lied about one’s age and snuck in, aged 16, at the very end of the war, that man is now 96

[devane617]

Exactly, math makes it real hard to believe so many are still alive.

[Bonemaker]

My great uncle was a farm boy and lied when he was 15 to get into army. Artillery (as was Harry Trunan). Saw the worst of WW 1 in France and wouldn’t talk about it ever more.

[Az Joe]

One man joined the army at 14 during the Vietnam war. He was KIA at age 15. There is a street in Brooklyn named after him.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Bull

There were a couple 12—14-year-olds who joined early.

Examples of 12-14-Year-Olds in WWII:

Calvin Graham (US Navy): Enlisted at 12 (but was around 14 when deployed), served on the USS South Dakota in combat, and became the youngest American serviceman.

https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/calvin-graham-the-youngest-american-to-serve-in-world-war-ii/#:~:text=He%20and%20some%20friends%20knew,range%20with%20eight%20Japanese%20destroyers.

Jacklyn H. Lucas (US Marine Corps): Enlisted at 14, served in the Pacific, and famously survived being blown up by grenades at Iwo Jima, earning the Medal of Honor.

Bob Kelso (US Army): A 13-year-old who enlisted, stood 6 feet tall, and was serving in Germany by age 14.

Dennis Moule (Australian/Merchant Navy): Enlisted at 14 and saw action in the Pacific theater.

Richard H. Johnson (US Navy): Enlisted at 14 when the U.S. entered the war and served throughout.

[Az Joe]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Bullock