My Dad enlisted in 1936 and was at Hickham Field when it was attacked on Dec 7th. Fought through Guadacanel and then in Borneo. Was promoted up through E7 (senior enlisted at the time) and then got a direct commission. Was stationed in Australia when the war ended.
My favorite story of his was that when he walked down his troopship’s gangway in Oakland, he was carrying golf clubs and a tennis racket. He said a marine guard remarked, “Rough war, uh Captain?”
He stayed in until he retired a full Colonel. Every grade from E1 to O6. Quite the ride.
The finest officers I served under were all prior enlisted!
Good at him!
Great story...sounds like a Bill Mauldin cartoon :-)