First Division Marines storm ashore across Guadalcanal's beaches on D-Day, 7 August 1942, from the attack transport Barnett (AP-11) and attack cargo ship Fomalhaut (AK-22). The invaders were surprised at the lack of enemy opposition. National Archives Photo 80-CF-112-5-3.
I'm sure this did nothing but inspire Daddy to enlist, but he only wanted to be a pilot in the Air Corps and fly a P-38.
Lockheed P-38 Lightning airplane "Yippee"
If he did apply just after his 18th birthday, he was told he was underweight and would not be accepted. With plans to attend college already solidified, he thought he could gain enough weight in a year and then be accepted to the Air Corps after his freshman year at Millsaps.
He began to eat and eat...and eat. He also drank as many chocolate malts as he could and ate bananas (as the Air Corps recruiter told him to do.) The school session at Millsaps began September 14, 1942 and Daddy pledged and was made a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. It was during this time frame, before the summer of 1943, that he told his family that if he was not accepted by the Air Corps the next time he applied, he would just go to the nearest recruiting office and enlist. This was a statement and choice that completely changed what role Daddy would play in World War II.
Daddy would finish his freshman year at Millsaps, still hoping to be a pilot one day.
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