Abstract:
The first third of this book sets the stage for the remainder of the book, beginning with Ken Marshall’s enlistment in the navy at age 16. The second half of the book chronicles the experiences of many 16-year olds who couldn’t wait to get into World War II. The war was not as pictured in most Hollywood movies; combat wounds were not always wounds to the flesh and blood. Many wounds were also to the psyche and to sensitive young emotions, and were not as easily treated as wounds of the flesh. Such wounds often festered inside for many decades before being diagnosed and treated.