Meet the 12-year-old sailor who fought at Guadalcanal
A young boy's determination to join the Navy is a notable story. In 1942, a 12-year-old attempted to enlist by altering his appearance. He wore older clothes and tried to sound older.
However, his youthful appearance was still evident. Further details about this incident are available from a 2012 Smithsonian magazine article. The boy's efforts to deceive the military were eventually discovered by a dentist.
The story of this young boy's attempt to join the Navy is one of many unusual circumstances surrounding military enlistment during this time period.
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