Silver Threads and Golden Strands: Memoir of a Teenage Warrior

Teenage Warrior is primarily about the effect WWII had on "baby brothers" who watched older brothers leave home to serve their country. Being left behind, feeling useless, and all the normal frustrations of early teens. Bill became a "teenage delinquent" before the term was coined. He wrangled his way into the Navy at 15 and soon had doubts that he could handle it. Remembering his Dad's words, "I'll help you get in but won't help you get out", he served 32 months during the war. 26 months were spent at sea and 12 months were spent in combat zones. The WWII tales in this book vary from "serious" to humorous. Bill survived the explosion of the Chicago Naval Ammunition Depot, hurricane Cobra, a surprise Japanese "Betty" bombing of B29's at Tinian, and a "psycho ward" on Roi Namur Island. The book is full of surprises as Bill remembers some of the good times he had even in the face of battle. Bill became a WWII Veteran, same as his four older brothers.