Jack Cornwell was only 16 when he lost his life at the
Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 – November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12.
Navy Veteran Calvin Leon Graham became the youngest World War II soldier at the age of 12, and the youngest recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. During World War II, it was not unusual for American boys to lie about their age in order to enlist.
Soldier Boy (Russian: Солдатик, romanized: Soldatik) is a 2019 Russian-language film. It is based on the real-life story of the youngest soldier in World War II, Sergei Aleshkov, who was only 6 years old.
Momčilo Gavrić, in Serbian military from age eight; youngest soldier in World War I in any of the nations which fought in World War I.
A passionate soldier, Abraham Bevistein lied about his real age to join the armed forces. He was just sixteen when he joined the 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment.
But Bob Kelso didn't grow up wealthy. Born in 1930 to Oklahoma farmers, his parents divorced and Kelso grew up bouncing between his parents and foster homes. After finishing 7th grade in 1944 he signed up for the draft, claiming to be 18. At six feet tall, no one questioned his age.
Full conscription of men
On the day Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Parliament immediately passed a more wide-reaching measure. The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service.
On Nov. 13, 1942, Waterloo's five Sullivan brothers -- George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert -- died aboard the USS Juneau when the ship was torpedoed and sunk off Guadalcanal during World War II. It remains the greatest combat-related loss of life by a single family at one time in American military history.
In 1942, Seaman Calvin Graham was decorated for valor in battle.
The Incredible Story of Jack Lucas: The Youngest Medal of Honor Recipient in World War II. Jack Lucas saved the lives of three men… just six days after his 17th birthday. Jacklyn “Jack” Lucas was born on February 14, 1928, in Plymouth, North Carolina.
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps
Born in North Carolina and although only 14 years of age, having a muscular build, Lucas enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in Norfolk without his mother's consent. On August 6, 1942, he gave his age as 17 and went to recruit training.
Military heroes
Dwight Eisenhower (1890–1969) Supreme Allied Commander for the D-Day Landings. Eisenhower oversaw the Allied coalition and was successful in keeping the coalition together. He also oversaw the successful liberation of Europe. General Patton (1885–1945).
The Draft and WWII
On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft.
Hershel W. “Woody” Williams' actions in battle helped clear the way for American tanks and infantry.
No one under the age of seventeen legally joined the armed forces of the United States during World War Two. There is no record of their underage service. Anyone who served under the United States flag was eighteen, seventeen with parental consent.
In World War II, the US only allowed men and women 18 years or older to be drafted or enlisted into the armed forces, although 17-year-olds were allowed to enlist with parental consent, and women were not allowed in armed conflict. Some successfully lied about their age.
Age limits
Army: 17 - 35. Coast Guard: 17 - 31. Marine Corps: 17 - 28. Navy: 17 - 39.
During World War II, child insurgents between the ages of 11 and 18 served as full-fledged members of the Polish Home Army.
Graham was sworn into the Navy on Aug. 15, 1942, at 12 years old, making him the youngest person to enlist during World War II. After training, he was sent to serve in the Pacific as a gunner aboard the USS South Dakota.
World War II. On August 8, 1942, Lucas enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at Norfolk, Virginia, forging his mother's name on the parental consent form falsely giving his age as 17 and bribing a notary. He was, in fact, 14 years old.
Australia was the only English-speaking country which had such a system. The scheme established compulsory naval or military training for all Australian males between the ages of 12 and 26 who were British subjects.
Joseph Eskenazi, the oldest living survivor of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, was told by his doctor that a heart condition would prevent him from flying on an airplane to attend a ceremony this week at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Maurice Herbert Rindskopf (1917–2011) was the youngest officer to ascend to command of a Fleet Submarine in World War II; and until his death, was the last living World War II submarine commander.