I just recently learned of this guy. I discovered a movie was made about him.
Very fascinating story.
Youtube link of movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVSMncKEFF4
And now American youth needs safe spaces for micro aggressions...
Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/title/70206823
Too Young the Hero.
1988 Made for TV movie with Ricky Schroder.
Calvin Graham, Age 12, US Navy
Long ago, before special snowflakes were frightened by chalk markings on sidewalks, the United States of America produced brave boys like Calvin Graham.
Thank you, Jet Jaguar. This is a fascinating story, although our government didn't treat him very well.
Amazing story. Thanks for posting it.
L
Ping
as good as it gets.
I believe a homo raped him when he was in the brig.
“It wasn’t uncommon for boys to lie about their age in order to serve. Ray Jackson, who joined the Marines at 16 during World War II, founded the group Veterans of Underage Military Service in 1991, and it listed more than 1,200 active members, including 26 women. “Some of these guys came from large families and there wasn’t enough food to go around, and this was a way out,” Jackson told a reporter. “Others just had family problems and wanted to get away.”
Wow, sound exactly like my dad’s story. Youngest of 10, Lied about his age, Joined the Navy at age 15, was hit by kamikaze’s at age 16 on the US Franklin, almost sunk, they saved her.
In my kitchen, I keep a picture of the ship listing 40 degrees, burning on fire, smoke everywhere, to remind my 17 year old and 15 year old kids (and myself) how easy their life is.
This is so interesting! My dad lied about his age, too and ended up on the Enterprise! He sent his pay home to his mother and 9 sisters, shot craps for more. My aunts have told me they would have starved during the war if it were not for him. These guys were such heroes. I can’t see any 12 y o today doing what they did, but you never know...
I seem to recall that the South Dakota was put out of action fairly early in the battle. The engineers had done something to the ship’s circuit breakers that caused them to lock out when the ship first fired its main guns, leaving it literally powerless and unable to respond to the Japanese.
It was the USS Washington that did the bulk of the shooting that night, sinking a Japanese battleship (IJN Kirishima) in the process. The Washington continued on in the campaign, while the South Dakota limped home for repairs...and its crew claimed for itself the victories scored by the Washington. When the men of the Washington learned of this months later, there was no end of enmity between the two ships’ crews.
Nuthin` new:
“1777: KIDS FIGHT WITH MUSKETS AND BAYONETS
AT BATTLE OF SARATOGA”
Thirteen year old boys with muskets fought at Saratoga.
Dwight, “The Northern Traveler”, 1841, p141
“Powder monkeys” go all the way back to the first ships with cannons.
While the battleship USS South Dakota was scrapped, parts of the ship including one of her massive propellers, is part of a memorial in Sioux Falls, SD.
bkmk
Great story. Thx for posting.
My father followed the rules and enlisted in the Marines at age 17, one year short of HS graduation. He wanted to serve his country in time of war.
He was discharged in 1946 after two years of service yet still short of his 20th birthday.
He was seriously wounded after 45 days in combat, on Okinawa. As his oldest son, and the only one that served in the military, I was given his Purple Heart after his death.
