Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-24
HIS TRUE AGE LISTED

HIS TRUE AGE LISTED
A transport had just landed,
bringing a very large marine de-
ttaChment for brief training and
conditioning AT Page Page before
moving on 10 action in the Solo
mons. That transport brought Us
mail, and one of my letters was
from the Social Security board in
Washington, -D.-C.
The letter mentioned my dad.
who had died at Eau Claire.
Wis, two years before. 1t said
something about my being a
beneficiary" but | could not
understand its wording at all. So,
naturally enough, il seems to me,
L took it 70 an officer who had
taken an interest in me and often
had given me swell advice.
I I asked him what it was all
about He read and reread il,
looked at me sort of funny-hke
and told me 10 forget about II. II
wasn't important. he added, and
he would retain the letter and
take care of any business that
came up.
How was I TO know that my
true age had been given by my
good old dad when he listed me "a
receive his social security bene-
fits?
( Nothing happened for a couple
of weeks, then everything hap
pened at once. l hadn't Teen
worrying at all and had com
pletely forgotten the incident of
the social security letter when
one day, / was ordered to pack
up.
At first was thrilled be-
lieving that maybe Lieutenant
Baker was letting the bars down
at last and that finally was
going out 10 do some fighting
Then ! noticed that nobody else
had got any such orders, aid !
gradually got A terrible feeling
that my goose was cooked.
Nobody was doing any explain
ing. however; ! merely was di-
rected 10 board a small patrol
boat which was to take me o the
naval base on A nearby island.
There l was TO report 10 navy de-
partment authorities for special
assignment" 1t sounded all right
but l knew what II meant.
/ believe my pals on Page Page
knew. too. They had never made
any cracks TO me. but | think they
were well aware l was quite a bit
under age. They were grand guys,
every one; and everybody that was
off duty was down at the dock 10
say good-by
CALLED HIM BABY
The only time in my career
when | didn't mind being called
baby" a pet name the boys had
given me, was when one hoarse-
voiced friend of mine beloved as
my patrol boat showed off
$50 long, Baby-you're a real
marine"
It's only short voyage from
Page Page TO my next stop, but II
seemed 10 me we'd never get
there. l was scared. | had eX-
pected TO he scared when | got
into action and the bullets began
TO fly; but this was different, What
could they do TO A guy for telling
little white lie so he could serve
his country?
At last / was at big marine
base, and there wasn't any official
welcoming party. For some reason
I've never fathomed, they put me
in a medical unit, where l re-
manned a couple of days.
Then / was ordered 10 report 10
headquarters. Presently | stood
before the desk Of 1t Conan. j.
X. Patterson. He said, not at all
unkindly:
Private HOLE. I don't know
what this is all about, so don't
ask me. Pack your things.
You're going back to the states
on the first transport"
II had come AT last. hut I didn't
bat an eye. / knew what II was
all about. if the commander didn't.
No use crying now. But ! don I
mind telling you that Baby was
plenty worried about that little
white lie and possible disciplinary
action.
(Read the next installment Of
the personal story Of George
William HOLE, history's young
est marine. in tomorrOw's De-
troit times.)
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Is Years for Won Pspen Plot