My uncle and grandfather (his brother) joined the army in their late teens, during WWII, but he never left the country. He was stationed in one of the camps down south, and did basic radio repair. But he had some crazy stories that reminded me of Beatle Baily. Apparently, he would walk about a mile on a 10 mile hike, and then fake to pass out so they would carry him back in a stretcher. He didn't mind getting KP for that. He also used to go into town and buy candybars, and then resell them at an inflated price to the rest of the soldiers. He also brought the menu from his favorite diner in town and showed everyone what there was to eat in his hometown. My grandfather died when I was only 2 or 3, so I never got to know him. But he never left the country either. Apparently he was such a good baseball fielder that he joined some sort of traveling army baseball team that toured the different bases in the U.S. and played baseball games. All in all, I love all WWII stories. Like Tex said, it was a great time for this country, when the soldiers volunteered for the greatest cause our civilization has ever faced. I wish I had family members who could regal me with tales from Europe during those times...