A friend of mine said he knew of a lot of people aged 15 and 16 who fought in the U.S. military during World War 2, though this did not sound accurate to me.
2006-06-29 04:12:43 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Many teenagers lied to get into the army during WWII. Among them, Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy - he was 16 when he enlisted.
2006-06-29 04:16:20 · answer #1 · answered by Black Fedora 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there were 15 and 16 year olds who served in the armed forces during WWII. I am now sure that they were legally recruited (that the armed forces knowing allowed 15 and 16 to enroll), but the American people were much more patriotic in those days and many of those kids lied about their age in order to serve.
2006-06-29 11:28:12 · answer #2 · answered by Connie P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there were underage soldier in the US Armed Forces. Baby of Bataan is the personal history of one Joseph Quitman Johnson who served in the US Army at the age of 14. There was a TV movie done in 1988 about a young man who join the US Navy at the age of 14 the movie is called To Young The Hero and tells the story of Calvin Graham. These are just two men who came forward to tell their stories of being underage soldier and navy men during World War 2. I wish I could find out more information for you. But if there more underage American Service men fighting in World War 2 it is up to them to tell their story and now you can read about these two men. A lot of men aren't going to admit they join the Armed Forces of the US either.
2006-07-03 23:39:47 · answer #3 · answered by Gail M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there were some that served in the armed forces at 15 or 16 but they got in by lying about their age.
2006-06-29 11:24:40 · answer #4 · answered by jinx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there were people younger, but they had to lie about their ages. I personally know a man who joined the Marine's at 13 during WWII.
2006-06-29 14:09:23 · answer #5 · answered by Tara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Because they left the children home at tjhat age to protect the wives in their
place while they were away to war or military training.
2006-06-29 11:37:16 · answer #6 · answered by JoJoBa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
My grandfather was 18 but his cousin was 17 and they served together in WWII in the Philippians.
So you did not have to be 18 to join.
2006-06-29 11:22:55 · answer #7 · answered by HEATHER 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not legally. A lot lied about their age to be able to serve and defend our country, mostly because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
2006-06-29 11:15:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep. My grandfather also lied about his age to serve. Seems to have been common. I think he was 16
2006-06-29 11:37:20 · answer #9 · answered by daevaux 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your parents were willing to sign papers to send you off to war, you could join up at 14.
2006-06-29 11:18:04 · answer #10 · answered by erin7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋