My Dad enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17 after dropping out

of high school. Served on the Bernardo O’Higgins (Liberty Ship) in the Pacific as a Signalman 1st Class.

He and his three older brothers returned home
from the war.

Brother Ed enlisted in the Canadian Air Corp before transferring to the US Army Air Corp as a fighter pilot. Was later a TWA Captain flying 747s before retiring.

Brother Jack served flying a full complement as a bombardier in the European theatre.

Brother Bill served as a Marine in the South Pacific. Lost a leg in an island beach invasion but came home and lived a full life.

In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog

Posted: 09/16/2021 at 5:00PM

What’s the earliest you know of a kid dropping out of school? -- RoswellGAHokie 09/16/2021 3:49PM

Need to ask the Nike & Apple factory workers.... ** -- Vtskier1 09/16/2021 10:12PM

...and so UNC gave him 5 credits ** -- Riverguy 09/16/2021 9:07PM

The world needs ditch diggers. ** -- EDGEMAN 09/16/2021 8:21PM

Well, a lot earlier. -- SavannaHokie 09/16/2021 7:55PM

Had a guy in my 7th grade class with a drivers license -- turkeywinghokie 09/16/2021 6:33PM

Farmer? I think you may have misjudged him. -- Coach McGuirk 09/16/2021 7:13PM

Haha. I sm a small town boy stuck in NOVA sucks -- turkeywinghokie 09/16/2021 9:44PM

When I first started teaching elementary school in 1982... -- Newt 09/16/2021 6:31PM

My grandfather after 6th grade. -- Merlin Hokie 09/16/2021 5:44PM

I dropped out midway thru 1st grade but came back following year.... -- BusLoadaBozos 09/16/2021 5:36PM

I wouldn't say i been missing it ** -- bigbadbird 09/16/2021 4:50PM

One of my bestest friends never graduated High School :/ ** -- FfxStationHokie 09/16/2021 4:31PM

My father quit school in the 4th grade... -- vthhhi 09/16/2021 4:29PM

Working hard and treating people well will take you a long way in life ... -- vt90 09/16/2021 5:16PM

Where in NC? I'm a NC junkie ** -- FfxStationHokie 09/16/2021 4:32PM

He grew up in Tabor City, right next to the SC line, near Myrtle Beach ** -- vthhhi 09/16/2021 4:35PM

My dad quit after -6th grade and was working on ships around the UK when he -- B777Fr8Dog 09/16/2021 4:21PM

My Dad enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17 after dropping out -- Femoyer Hokie 09/16/2021 5:00PM

My dad dropped out of HS and enlisted in the Navy in 1942. -- EDGEMAN 09/16/2021 8:24PM

Mom and dad we’re getting bombed on the docks of Liverpool just around that -- B777Fr8Dog 09/16/2021 5:16PM

Mine enlisted in the Army at 17 in 1937. I have the letter his parents had -- PhotoHokieNC 09/16/2021 5:16PM

Damn that’s pretty young. Wonder what success -- GreenvilleVT 09/16/2021 4:05PM

It’s the parents choice in 5th grade isn’t it? -- Hokie1992 09/16/2021 3:53PM

No, it's the state's choice until 18 ** -- JoesterVT 09/16/2021 5:58PM

I grew up in the country. This kid just dropped out. ** -- RoswellGAHokie 09/16/2021 4:03PM

Sure, but even if mom and dad have a 8th grade education -- Hokie1992 09/16/2021 5:38PM

I believe Roswell is talking about "back in the day" ** -- JoesterVT 09/16/2021 8:17PM

My Dad enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17 after dropping out

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