The fervor of patriotism among the youth has never been more clearly demonstrated than, especially during the Second World War. It was definitely a dark period, but the fighting spirit and eagerness to rise to the occasion and sacrifice themselves, men and women alike, for their country became the catalyst for the decisive victory of the Allied Powers. Likewise, the sheer amount of intrepidity caused millions of casualties around the globe, including boys who signed up and boosted the armed forces even before reaching the legal age.

While the same enthusiasm to join the military has significantly declined in recent years, back then, it was a career path most boys were aspiring to become. It was an honorable profession—not that it isn’t respected today. But, going to war was highly romanticized, and besides, it was almost like everyone was willingly joining the dreadful bandwagon; to fight like their grandfathers, fathers, uncles, cousins, brothers, and friends—to avenge fallen comrades and relatives and the innocent trapped between firefighting; to end the ill ideologies of the Nazis and its equally brutal allies force the world to veer into.

That’s why boys as early as sixteen tried to forge their way into recruitment camps despite not yet reaching the required age because they were that eager to serve. Boys who were old enough to understand the gist of national security and defense but too young to comprehend the difficult situation they soon found themselves in at the front.

The summer after the tragic Pearl Harbor bombing, hundreds of aspiring soldiers flock to the recruitment camp and sign up for the war. Some sneaky juveniles include a twelve-year-old Calvin Graham.