By this point, Europe had been at war for more than 2 years. Germany had invaded Poland in 1939, France in 1940, began bombing raids on Britain in mid- to late 1940, and advanced deep into Soviet territory.
By late 1941, Europe was dominated by Nazi Germany, with Britain and the USSR fighting for survival.
Dad graduated high school in 1940 at just 15 years old.
Despite missing nearly a year of schooling because of rheumatic fever, he finished a year ahead of his peers. He loved learning and hoped to go to college.
But at fifteen, he was too young for apprenticeships or union jobs. He later described work in the Quincy shipyards and at the Kayem hot dog factory, home of Fenway Franks. He came to understand that earning enough for college would not be easy. He also liked to say that if he ever told us what went into making a hot dog, we would never eat one again.
After Pearl Harbor, he tried to enlist. Because of his young age and eyesight, he was told they'd only take him if the country was invaded.
So instead, he moved to Washington DC to join the war effort there.
Rushing down a long corridor in the White House with message in hand,
he pushed through a swinging door and BAM!
On the other side of the door was Winston Churchill with aides rushing
to his assistance.
No one knew Churchill was in town. He had traveled secretly.
Dad did not know what to do, tried to apologize.
By June 1942, the U.S. had transformed into a nation mobilized for war at unprecedented speed, with rationing, mass enlistment, and factories converting to military production.
Dad's older brother, George, graduates from the University of New Hampshire, and by the end of August 1942 was enlisted with the US Army Air Force.
Dad, still too young — just 17 years old here — and still too nearsighted, would return to DC and the Office of War Information.
No longer too young, and nearsightedness no longer a barrier, Dad received the "Order to Report."
His life as a soldier begins.
After induction, he ends up in training at Fort Bliss .
He writes to inform his parents that he has joined the paratroopers. He describes that he wants to go to college more than they realize and the extra $50 a month will help his savings a great deal. The decision is also driven by patriotism — wanting to do more for the country.
