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edited By: Ray D. Jackson and Susan M. Jackson
A 660-page, hardbound collection of stories relating the exploits of 199 men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States before they attained legal age, some as young as 12. The methods they used to circumvent the system in order to enlist were varied. Some devised ingenious schemes which included cleverly altering birth certificates or other documents, and others merely signed up for the draft, claiming to be 18. Many had help from recruiters and family members.
Most of the veterans completed their military service without their true age becoming known. Of those whose ages were discovered, many were allowed to remain with their units, others were discharged, and some faced a court-martial for fraudulent enlistment.
The reasons these youngsters enlisted while underage are numerous and varied, with patriotism very high on the list~ To this day, these veterans profess a strong and unwavering love for their country and great pride in their unique service to it.
Published by the Veterans of Underage Military Service, the book was edited by Ray D. Jackson and Susan M. Jackson. The cost is $25.00, postpaid. Send orders to: VUMS Book Project, 710 East La Jolla Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282. Checks or money orders only please. Make Checks Payable to VUMS Book Project.
About The Editors
Born and raised in rural Idaho, Ray Jackson dropped out of high school twice, the second time to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 16 . After two tours of duty in the marines, he returned to school, completed a Ph.D., and began a career as a physicist with the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. After retiring, he became National Vice-Commander of the Veterans of Underage Military Service and devotes much of his time to that association.
Susan Madrid Jackson grew up in the copper-mining town of Clifton, Arizona and attended the University of Arizona in Tucson where she earned a B.A. in English After teaching in elementary schools for many years, she completed an M.A. and a Ed.D. in reading education at Arizona State University in Tempe. During the last few years before her retirement, she taught in ASU College of Education teacher-preparation program.
The Jackson are residents of Tempe Arizona.