The
Veterans of Underage Military Service has published three books of
stories contributed by men and women who served in the armed forces of
the United States before they attained the legal age for
enlistment. The three books were edited by Ray D. Jackson and
Susan M. Jackson.
The
first volume of America's Youngest Warriors was published in
1997, and reprinted in 1999. The book
contains 199 stories in its 660 pages.
America's
Youngest Warriors - Volume II was published in September
2002. The book contains 200 stories in its 660 pages.
The
stories cover a time span of over a half century of our country's
history from World War I to the Vietnam War. Most of the
contributors served during World War II and the Korean War. One
joined the Marines at age 14 in 1942 and earned the Medal of Honor on
Iwo Jima, just five days after his 17th birthday. Several
contributors are survivors of the Bataan Death March, and one tells of
his years of incarceration in Stalag 17, the infamous German prison
camp. Three young men who were killed in action before reaching
the legal age for enlistment are profiled in Volume III.
Although the
three volumes follow the same theme, each story is unique. The
contributors relate why they decided to enlist underage, how they
circumvented the system to do so, and tell about some of their military
experiences. Many end their stories with a strong affirmation of
the value of their military service and how they would serve again
without hesitation. To this day, these veterans profess a strong
and unwavering love for their country and great pride in their unique
service to it.
- Book I, II, and III are no longer available except as may be announced in the NL one at a time.
- New Book IV is available at $20 by calling Bonnie Bourque at 337 824 0865
- Book V is available at $23 by calling Wise Publication at 337 527 8308
