Never Give Up

While my father was still very young, he obviously had a "never give up" attitude already.  The Army Air Corps recruitment officer had already told him he didn't qualify because he didn't weigh enough.  Determined to be a P-38 pilot, Daddy ate like he had never eaten before.  He was naturally slender, as his father before him. Gaining weight at his age was harder than it seemed.

Guadalcanal and Millsaps College

Just before classes would have started at Millsaps College, the United States began the "boots on the ground" invasions in the Pacific.  Marines of the 1st Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal August 7, 1942...Daddy's 18th birthday.

First Things First...

Hopes of becoming a pilot aside, the reality for Daddy in 1941/1942 was that he had to finish high school, and would not be 18 years old until August of 1942, which put him at the mercy of his parents.  He had to continue his education, I'm sure they told him.

December 7, 1941 - A Date Which Will Live In Infamy

People say you always remember exactly where you were, what you were doing...sometimes even what you were wearing...when significant events happen in life.  This day was full of those memories.