Excerpt

Im still weak from the jaundice that turned me yellow, and Im 40 pound light from my normal 218. I return to work and get my old office back. I work for two weeks and receive a letter at home.

I read Greetings! I have been drafted. It angers me because I had tried to join the service as a pilot with Joe Colette and Billy Lawhon. They were taken in to be pilots in the Marines. I, who already knows how to fly, am rejected because I dont have 20-20 vision in both eyes.

Lockheed tries to keep me as vital to building their warplanes. To no avail. I have to report to be inducted.

I think my weakened condition will exempt me, but when standing in line behind a man with only one hand, I cant believe they take him. It was my turn at the desk to be assigned. The officer glances at my name and says, Army. Take the right door to the buses.

I dont wish to march around and get shot. I lie, Wait! My father was in the navy. So are both my cousins. I want to be in the navy.

He doesnt look up. He takes my paper from the army stack and put in on the navy pile. He said, Navy. Left door to the auditorium.

The auditoriums multiple rows of seats hold seated men. I guess there are over two hundred. An officer tells us to stand. We do and I see three large marines enter. They point at the largest men standing; I am one of them.

The marine sergeant said, Okay, you guys are marines. Follow me. The ones pointed to walk up to follow him. Its discovered theyre missing one man. They look for me, but I have bent my knees so Im not tall. They chose another poor soul and I am in the navy.

We are bused down to the naval base in San Diego. Our heads are shaved; we shower and are issued uniforms and work clothes. I look out on the grounds. Groups of maybe a hundred men are marching around the grounds. It doesnt appeal to me. After were assigned bunks in a barracks an ensign individually interview us.

When it was my turn he asks, Did you read the list of opportunities in the navy? What would you like to do?

Get out.

He looks startled. Hey, sailor. I put that down theyll have you cleaning the heads forever.

Just joking. I want to be a yeoman.

Can you type?

Ninety words a minute.

I see you had a year in junior college. If you get a high enough score on the IQ tests youll be sent to officers training. I was.

The tests last two days. I do my best and I am taken from company 301 and join 62 new recruits headed for some base in Idaho. We do nothing for three days. Finally a lieutenant calls us to attention. He said, Men, weve been notified they are not accepting recruits for officers training at this time. You will join your companies.

The head of company 301 is a chief. He calls me over. The ensign said you can type. Wanta be our yeoman?

Chief, you were wise to choose me. How did you know?

Know what?

Oh, hell. I thought you knew. Forget I said anything.

Im not forgetting nothing. Speak up.

I shrug. Just this much. And you keep your mouth shut. You could be promoted to a first mate.

An officer?

Yes, on a ship. Youll be trained to take command. They need officers with your experience handling men. Thats it. You ask me more; Ill report you dont qualify.

He thinks a moment to decide, Okay. Youre our company yeoman.

The navy began to interest me. I didnt have to march or scrub the barracks or toilets. I survive boot camp. My folks bring Ruth down on visitors day. Ruth sees all the groups marching on the macadam. She asks how I am holding up with all the marching.

I say, Im the bald headed yeoman with clout. The chief has the other men march, clean the barracks and toilets.

My father asks how I managed it. I confess that I had intimated I might be an undercover agent checking on the efficiency of petty officers.

Kissing them goodbye is difficult. Both my mother and Ruth have tears in their eyes. It reminds me I am in a war and could get killed.