The Youngest to Serve

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In this video:
Calvin Graham was the youngest of seven children of a poor Texas farm family and because of his abusive stepfather, he and one of his older brothers decided to move out. Calvin supported himself by selling newspapers and delivering telegrams on weekends and after school.
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[@TodayIFoundOut]

Looking for more obscure facts about World War II? Then check out this video and find out about Havildar Bhanbhagta Gurung's Knife Wielding WWII Assault: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGamnnqvaq6Sfbc

[@Blackmark52]

For all those pointing out younger boys in Germany, child soldiers in Africa, etc. etc. 1:20 "He was… the youngest individual to enlist in the U.S. military *since* the Civil War *and* the youngest member of the U.S. military during WWII."

[@ocoolwow]

Blackmark52 okay... that means the title is still wrong though

[@Blackmark52]

No Name "that means the title is still wrong though" How so? He was the youngest to serve.

[@spikedpigeon5740]

The title didn't say anything about the US.

[@Blackmark52]

Captain Fapoon "The title didn't say anything about the US." That is correct. It also didn't say the era. Or mention that serving in restaurants doesn't count. What do you want? The entire line posted in my first comment? Would even that be enough for you? Because any title is not going to spell out every fact about the story or qualification of what the title alludes to. And it shouldn't. Titles aren't supposed to spill the beans, they're is supposed to be teasers to get you interested in watching.

[@Boredman567]

The fetus was dishonorably discharged from his mother's womb.

[@danielquick7541]

It's so stupid we have to wait until the person is dead before we can properly honor them.

[@111vincento]

yea waiting 2 years after he died to honor him is just disgusting.

[@Thumbsupurbum]

I feel this way every time a celebrity dies. One who you never hear about and then all of a sudden everyone is their biggest fan ever. Prince, -Bon Jovi- (Meant David Bowie oops), Tom Petty, etc. Followed by the release of some greatest hits album so someone can cash in on their deaths of course.

[@scottyrobot]

wait!? Bon Jovi's dead!!!???

[@Thumbsupurbum]

Lol no, oops. I meant David Bowie. My mistake. Not even sure how I messed that one up.

[@scottyrobot]

lol, when i was a kid, i used to get those two confused as well!

[@kellyrayburn4093]

I saw the movie "Too Young The Hero". I did some research, found out it was true and was absolutely incensed and outraged by the way he was treated. He was hero in every sense of the word. He didn't help people so others would look at him and say "Oh, he's a hero" or "What a great man/person". He did it because for him, to do anything else was utterly unthinkable. He should never have been dishonorably discharged. We had no idea back then if we could actually win that war. My mother said she and other were scared crapless that we would lose it. This boy wanted to help his country. Ok, so he lied about his age. He didn't do it for personal gain. He did it to help his country. And then those assholes want to put him in the stockade, strip all of his decorations and rank? In the movie, he refused to leave the stockade unless he was wearing a uniform. During my research I found that that was true. Didn't have to have any decorations or rank/rating stripes on it. It was the idea that it was the uniform of the country he served. One of the offices told him as he was leaving, "What happens in the Navy stays in the Navy. We have this country to think about." To which he replied, "I *fought* for this country." And those people back then were totally and truly assholes for the way they treated this honorable hero. He should have received a large lump sum in compensation for the way he was treated.

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

That's a liberal politicians and bureaucrats for you Screwing over the actual Heroes and then putting some idiot in their place instead because it supports their political ideology For crying out loud they treated my grandfather the same way practically and he was old enough to serve in Vietnam then you have the hippies back then spitting on people like him because he fought in a war that was unpopular if you ask me that hippies and knows people like the politicians and liberals should be shot on sight because they're idiots should be shot on sight

[@mentosmuncher]

Just saw this movie on Netflix. I'm also a sailor and from houston. This movie hit different from the other movies I'm used to seeing

[@lordmonty9421]

Done with school at eleven; a hardened battle veteran by age twelve; fathered a kid at fourteen, and then married and divorced by age seventeen. What a badass kid.

[@Noname-no5qf]

It’s a fucking lifetime in 17 years

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

@@Noname-no5qf It's not forget that bureaucrats and politicians decide to screw the kid over

[@WalterReade]

My father's older brother lied about his age to join the Marines at 15 years old, and died just before WWII ended, at the age of 19, in the South Pacific, 6 months before the war ended.

[@gardensofthegods]

Walter Reade That's really really sad.

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

I know I'm a bit late to say this but sorry for your loss May he rest forever in peace

[@tyler1234321]

Wow his mom ruined his life is what I took away from this.

[@LabRat10101]

tyler1234321 No she did not. The dentist did.

[@Eric_8724]

Or potentially saved it by bringing him home from a war that had already almost killed him. You can hardly blame a mother for wanting her son returned home after something like that.

[@Eric_D_6]

Y'all seem to be misspelling 'US government', the mom did nothing wrong and the dentist wasn't really fully to blame either. The government knew there were kids in the forces but chose not to care (first mistake) then taking away benefits and medals because he was too young is just wrong, should have been an honorable discharge when they found out.

[@LabRat10101]

Eric D The dentist is the one who could say. Nope your 12. Who is your parents?. Don't wanna tell kid?. Let me call the cops. Let them find your real name. He was a dentist serving the military. He had the power if he wanted. Its his fault. Period.

[@LabRat10101]

00WolfSpirit No, he's at fault by law. He knew he was 12 by his teeth. "I did not have time to mess with him". Still he is the only one in the line of people that knows for sure he is a kid.

[@SweetLilWren]

Just shows how shitty we treat those who fight n die for us smh

[@godlygamer911]

Matt our country claims to care about service members then fucks them over time and time again. It is why I grew up and stopped voting republican. Hypocrites till the end.

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

The Rageaholic so youre saying democrats are supportive of the military and vets? On what planet?

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

thelegend27 who was talking to you? And what makes you think you can control what other people can say or not? I may or may not agree with him/her but I dont tell them to shut up. So piss off.

[@eze13esp]

I live 45 minutes from the Memorial for the USS South Dakota that is in Sioux Falls SD. I remember always being excited to see it as a kid.

[@bareit98]

Error at 1:50. The USS South Dakota (BB-57) was a battleship not a destroyer.

[@TodayIFoundOut]

Technically it destroyed some stuff, so I think we're on safe ground calling it both a battleship and a destroyer. ;-) (My smart ass comment aside, good catch. ;-))

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

@@TodayIFoundOut This made me laugh

[@Threeezzz]

“One of his 2 lost teeth.” Disability... for one of missing teeth? What?

[@111vincento]

in the 40´s replacing teeth wasnt very..... easy....

[@bevoss7573]

He lost a part of himself serving his country. And a molar or other such tooth would change how he eats, given this is the 40's and they didn't have the dentistry that's now available.

[@Threeezzz]

Squee She Ohhhh! When I heard it, it was more like “Okay. We’ll give you monthly benifits for losing the tooth in combat. But not for the other tooth. We weren’t responsible for that one.” “Even though it was the same incedant?” “Correct.”

[@RustyRedRhombus]

try eating with out front teath

[@FishyNipples]

I know someone who has 100% disability for insomnia and heart burn. Lmao I shit you not the air force is a joke

[@audreycantley7755]

This is amazing 😢. 12 years old. God bless him!

[@mladen89ftn]

The youngest solder to serve in a regular army was Momcilo Gavrilovic (aged 8), during the Great war ! You should definitely check him out....

[@MarcScholtemeijer]

"The South Dakota, known as battleship X was a destroyer" .... Eh ... What?

[@MrEvanfriend]

USS South Dakota (BB-57) was a battleship, the lead ship of the South Dakota class. Not a destroyer. Battleships were traditionally named after states, while destroyers tend to be named after people. He was wrong.

[@MrEvanfriend]

Wise Guy No. No it isn't. A destroyer is an entirely different type of warship. Just ONE of the main gun turrets on Iowa class battleship USS New Jersey (and presumably the other Iowa class ships as well) weighed as much as a contemporary destroyer. The Iowa class ships had three such turrets.

[@WiseGuy508]

Okay. I was wrong. Disregard my previous comment. I shall delete it.

[@Thx1138sober]

There is a really big difference between a Destroyer and a Battleship during WWII. Battleships were very heavily armored and had crews 1,500 to 2,500+, Destroyers were called "Tin Cans" because they were lightly armored and had crews of about 180 to 330 depending on the class. BB57 (South Dakota) had a crew of 2,364. The US Navy had a total of 38 Battleships and 377 Destroyers during WWII.

[@MarcScholtemeijer]

You'd think they would get something as simple as this right. Mistakes happen but this is obviously just a guy reading a script. Oh well, who cares for double checking scripts - got to keep the content production up...

[@kuoseis]

why they always give back the medals when they have died already?

[@TheDonutMan3000]

KOLMEKAKKONE I guess the same reason we bury people in anything else than a cardboard box or fulfill their last will. Honoring the dead. It might seem pointless but it makes some living people feel better

[@Zheeraffa1]

+Moritz R +KOLMEKAKKONE Also apart from recognition and honouring of an individual, it could have legal and financial aspects. Depending on country and era, some benefits tied to the original recognition (or instances where such recognition would be due) are transferable to the widow and children of the recognised person, who are therefore legally entitled to the said benefits. Basically it's not just saying: "Your husband/father was great man.", but also "Because he couldn't provide for your basic needs as much as he could have, because he served the state instead, we owe not just him, but you, as well."

[@GlenCychosz]

The United States does not use child solders.

[@GatorScientist]

Glen Cychosz ~ I think you drop this under the wrong thread.

[@flyinryan7773]

Glen not on purpose but people snuck through (after the civil war of course)

[@AlcoholicPapi]

He wasn’t the youngest soldier. He was the youngest sailor.

[@HowlinMadMurD0C]

True. The youngest to serve was Momčilo Gavrić an 8-year-old boy in WW1 who served with the 6th Artillery Division of the Serbian army.

[@johnrobinson4061]

Theres always that one smartass...

[@loopslytle]

He was the youngest US service member in WWII.

[@AlcoholicPapi]

Johnny Robinson it matters to us in the service. A sailor is not a soldier. A soldier is not a sailor.

[@johnrobinson4061]

PunkEMT Firstly, thank you for your service. I actually want to enlist after high school (army). Secondly, I get your point, but there is no use in bothering to explain it on the internet. 99% of ppl couldn't care less

[@GingerGingie]

My great-grandmother's brother, joined when he was just shy of 16; when he was 17, he was on the Arizona when it sank at Pearl Harbor and survived some pretty gnarly burns from the oil in the water that had caught fire. He went on to live an amazing life and his gravestone now reads the date of birth he gave (falsely) to get into the navy, over 2 years older than what he actually was. He never corrected his birth date back to the original, in paperwork, throughout his life. It's our little family... er... secret ;)

[@gardensofthegods]

Kartoffel Pommes Did any of your family record him on or video tape... 8 millimeter or anything at all or he could tell his experiences ? I regret so much that when my father was alive I did not film him talking about his for experiences and I can't remember much of what he told me

[@ShadowDrakken]

How in the world did he get into the Marines with a dishonorable discharge still on record? Usually that prevents reenlistment...

[@Real_Robotic_Engineer]

Daniel At 17 years old and divorced, and with no service record, Graham was about to be drafted when he enlisted in the Marine Corps instead.

[@MehWhatever99]

Probably with no computerized records (it was the 40s), and given his age, nobody checked.

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

@@MehWhatever99 This is highly probable Crying out loud look at the idiot who bundled his way into being the hangman for the Nuremberg trials

[@rburton76]

I remember seeing the movie when I was a kid. I still have a newspaper clipping about Calvin Graham that was printed around the time of the movie.

[@Martial-Mat]

US treating its war vets like crap. Nothing has changed since. Amazing that they were not willing to allow him to serve, but they were perfectly happy to imprison him for serving with distinction. These people are pure scum. This is why I despise allowing anyone to have any control over you. Some twat in an office gets butthurt that this kid fooled the system so decided to punish him for his courage.

[@promontorium]

They screwed him in many ways, but it's possible, just positing, that they might have locked him up for his own good. They didn't want a kid to die, they knew they couldn't get any labor out of him, so maybe they thought he could ride out a few months and then get an honorable discharge with all his medals. Though they could have easily just sent him to temporary shore duty and have him report every morning and then send him on his way 10 minutes later, but that presents a problem about knowingly sending off an unaccompanied minor with no supervision.

[@Martial-Mat]

I'm sorry but your theory doesn't hold up. It's worse to send a 12 year old to adult stockade then to give him desk duties, and if it was his best interests they were concerned about they would never have vindictively stripped his well earned medals or refused the medical benefits that his injuries in service of his nation merited.

[@ladydruyear]

Way to go mom:(

[@robynn144]

The battleship USS "South Dakota" (BB-57) took 42 hits in the battle of Nov 14th 1942, not 47! The "South Dakota" WAS heavily damaged, but she inflicted even more damage to the enemy. Two japanese cruisers and several destroyers were damaged; two destroyers were so damaged they were scuttled. Just a little more info.Thanks for another great and fascinating video from Simon and "Today I Found Out". Keep them coming :)

[@travisl9201]

I was picking my nose and playing video games at 12

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

Calvin Graham do More 17 years than most of us will ever do in a lifetime

[@TrueBlueJMS]

My grandfather was 14 when his GRANDMOTHER forged his mother's signature, haha. However, he was able to keep the ruse up for years. The government (Veteran's Administration) only found out about it when he died and they noticed the age disparity on the death certificate.

[@Hoseapluma]

Small Quibbles: There was no US 45mm anti-aircraft gun, it was 40mm. The South Dakota was a battleship, not a destroyer.

[@maskedduelist1380]

Kids back then had enough manliness for five men today.

[@maskedduelist1380]

I Am Sekou How am I wrong?

[@ruikirisame1744]

not really.

[@SylvainsRamblings]

Maskedduelist 13 can confirm...... I'd be the first to put on a whig and attempt to hide from the draft

[@Ba1tuks]

Yes, sadly this is the path many people WANT to go. Many kids become spoiled, given no real work or responsibilities from a very young age. And... after school graduation we have an army of imbecile sheep to meet real life...

[@TheLoxxxton]

Seems like a brave kid

[@LycanWitch]

title of this video should be "The Youngest to Serve in WWII", as before Calvin Graham in WWII, there was Sidney Lewis who served for the British Army during World War I at the age of 12 and saw active duty/war, also there was Momčilo Gavrić, who at the age of seven began serving for the Serbian army during World War I and also saw active duty and participated in real battles and was also in the trenches. Plus there's instances that kids well under 12 who began training and even serving as soldiers and being in battles for various armies in ancient times, such as for the Roman, Greek, Persian, etc, even as far as up to serving under Napoleon when he recruited teenagers during invasions.

[@kathleenl4387]

I think what a lot of the commenters as well as a lot of people during his life have missed, Calvin was a child of the Great Depression. He most certainly was poor. He probably saw no other way to survive. He made the choice to try to join the military, and by God’s hand, he made it in. He was a true HERO to many!!! God’s continued blessings to all of the lives that he had touched in his life!!! Thank You, Calvin Leon Graham for your service to our great country!! May you always be remembered for your gifts that you gave to us. 😊🕊🌈❤️

[@shookings]

I grew up in Fort Worth, and I met Mr. Graham when I was a teenager. He seemed like a decent man

[@vasilzahariev5741]

Wasn't there an 8 year-old Serbian boy that served during WW1? Yes, there was. His name was Momčilo Gavrić.

[@djlovins3169]

Do people not realize other country’s don’t give a shit this guy beat the system in a country that did care…. That’s the whole point

[@altaice3960]

bro asked and answered in the same comment

[@speed150mph]

Am I the only one who face palmed a little when Simon referred to the USS South Dakota as a destroyer less then 10 seconds after he referred to her as battleship X?

[@romansroad2007]

God bless him for his service. He sure didn't go in the services at 12 age for the money. He did it for his country.

[@dannypeck96]

1:53 last time i checked the usss south dakota was a battleship of the south dakota class?

[@robynn144]

At 1: 49 it is mentioned that the battleship USS "South Dakota" (BB-57) "...known as "Battleship X" during the war, was a DESTROYER..." Well, no it was not a destroyer. It was (as mentioned several times) a battleship - about 20 times the tonnage/size of an actual WW2 destroyer. A "destroyer" was (and is) the term for a much smaller ship that a battleship. Another detail, the USS "South Dakota" took 42 hits in the battle of Nov 14th 1942, not 47. "South Dakota" WAS heavily damaged but she inflicted even more damage to the enemy. Just a few details, not criticism. Thanks for another great and fascinating video from Simon and "Today I Found Out". Keep them coming :)

[@socktier6334]

12 years old is a veterans age in Africa lol

[@kameronjones7139]

But how many could do this with out drugs 🤔

[@pinecone9619]

Well, Northern Africa anyways.

[@billybobinzki4043]

MakaveliThaSavage MakavelithaDIPSHIT💀

[@rafa2264]

whenever i get down because i cant do stuff because i'm only 16, i watch this video and get pumped up because a twelve year old got in the military. Thousands of young boys and girls have sucked in the gut and succeeded in everything they do.

[@mikemirrilees8793]

You may wish to do some research on Cpl George Holle, USMC who was also 12 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He fought at Guadalcanal and was discharged at age 14. When his real age was discovered, as a result of his widowed mother applying for Social Security and listing her son as age 12, Marine and not a student. She was initially not believed but when she insisted an investigation by the war department was commenced. George Holle was my great uncle and his story was told in Newspapers all over the United States afterwards he was then recruited to sell War Bonds. He loved our country and the USMC!

[@johnrobinson4061]

This is a depressing life for a total fucking badass.

[@charlesmason6928]

You have to blame the Navy for this !He was a HERO . What they did to him was horrible to Navy history .

[@GatorScientist]

1:51 ~ Nope, the USS South Dakota (BB-57) was a battleship as you stated earlier. A destroyer is a much smaller ship.

[@CelestialNav1]

Wow! My Dad(also from Texas), when he was 15, lied about his age and joined the Navy in 1942 too. He didn't get in trouble though, as after he arrived in San Diego for Basic Training, he wrote his Mom(my Grandmom)a letter stating that he wanted to help America like his older brothers did. So, the Texas State Militia stopped looking for him. He actually wanted to get out of Texas and be a Jazz Trumpet Player and every time he ran away the Texas State Miltitia would find him and take him back home. He had been playing the Trumpet since he was 8 years old and practiced playing Jazz listening to 78rpm records on his Uncle's Victrola. They made him the Bugler on the San Diego Naval Base. He also got to play with all of the USO Shows that came to the Base. He shipped out on an Aircraft Carrier that was hit and sunk by a Kamikaze in the Sulu Sea, the ship that rescued him was also hit and sunk by a Kamikaze, the 3rd ship to rescue him was also hit by a Kamikaze, but it managed to stay afloat and limped back to Midway and my Dad was then shipped home. He went on to get a Degree in Music and became a well respected Musician in the Jazz Community.

[@Gamer4Ever727]

My grandfather joined the British Navy when he was 14 years old disarming sea mines. I thought that was the youngest age, didn't have a clue about 12 year olds!

[@pinkrose076]

Why does it take this country so damn long to honor our soldiers.

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

Bureaucrats and liberal politicians who wanted support their Heroes aka the people who want to destroy this country

[@CaptainRonRico]

The thumbnail should say sailor, not soldier. Enlisted in the Navy, unless you are a Corpsman who went green, are sailors.

[@ApexHerbivore]

Er... Poland, World War 2. The fricking boy scouts were given guns and fought alongside the Partisan fighters. My Grandparents were amongst them.

[@morskojvolk]

Great story. Pedant alert: the South Dakota was a battleship, not a destroyer (big difference).

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Better give thanks to that dentist who let him enter the service.

[@ethanle6339]

actually, that's not how it went. If you read the full story, the dentist handed him his file and told him to take it to the medical officer for discharge. But when the officer wasn't looking, he stuck his file into the APPROVED stack, and that's really how he got in.

[@TheRomanticDarkness]

I was still watching Saturday morning cartoons when I was 13...

[@dcseain]

My mom's dad was 13 when he enlisted in the Navy in 1941. He altered his birth certificate to show he was 16. He served in subs through all of WWII.

[@Kinnijup]

His wife was awarded the purple heart in his honor two years after his death.

[@nikkeisimmer8795]

The Purple Heart was awarded during his service during WWII (November 15, 1942 - for wounds received by pulling fellow shipmates to safety), it was reinstated, after it was wrongfully taken away from him (in 1943 upon his discharge from the US Navy); in '94 (two years after his death).

[@calvinboone6374]

Fascinating

[@mikebrown614]

A quibble: The weapon he crewed could not have been a "forty-five millimeter" antiaircraft gun, as the USN only used the 40mm Bofors gun in that role, along with the 20mm Oerlikon cannon and the 5' 25 and 38 calibres weapons for antiaircraft use.

[@promontorium]

I served on 3 ships in the Navy including 2 different classes of destroyer. I was not triggered by the Great Battleship/Destroyer Fiasco of 2018....give me another medal. Posthumously if necessary. "Untriggered in the face of great pedantry."

[@promontorium]

"Durr it's 'served aboard'. He's a fake! Look this cowboy hat comes right off!"

[@Paladin1873]

I remember the TV movie and the flap that resulted over his treatment by the government. It still bothers me how callous our bureaucracies can be. He deserved far better treatment than he ever received. I am somewhat surprised he was able to get into the Marine Corps with his dishonorable discharge still on file. Probably the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing - just as when he enlisted in 1942.

[@FranklyFrankFranking]

Well done this is the best story I've heard. Told in a favourable manor!

[@ashknoecklein]

Wow my grandfather also lied about his age to get into the Navy during WWII, and he did it for much the same reasons. But he was 16!

[@meheretoday6968]

yep mine was 16 when he went up the Kokoda

[@ala4935]

my ex's dad ran away from an abusive home and enlisted in the military as a teenager too. he went to korea at 16.

[@MBkufel]

Warship can be both a battleship and a destroyer. USS South Dakota was a battleship. Also, US navy never used an 45mm AA guns - he was a loader of 40mm Bofors AA gun. Chceck your facts please.

[@marcusvachon845]

Rick Schroeder portrayed him the movie. I watched that movie when I was a child.

[@davidd.w.8681]

One does not simply reinstate a Purple Heart.

[@graysonrogers4651]

Check out Willie Johnston the youngest Medal of Honor recipient. His is another interesting story.

[@gardensofthegods]

Grayson Rogers I'll probably do it now before I forget , thanks

[@dogfish3373]

Isn't it just pathetic the way the US government treats veterans who fought for them? It's even more disgusting when a veteran has life altering injuries they received while serving that may prevent them from being able to provide for themselves and their families because they are unable to work. They often do not get the care they need and have to pay for all their own medical costs. The US government should be ashamed for treating these great people the way they do.

[@justinmileman7863]

At 13 that boy was more man than most 30 year old men today. Give him his purple heart back he damn well earned it!

[@ethanle6339]

He did get it back, only it was presented to his widow

[@Heinskitz]

The bureaucracy that prevents the honouring of vets is ridiculous. So often on this channel you hear of the extraordinary feats of individuals that fall by the wayside when the gov/upper brass trifle with minor details. It's a real shame that it takes overwhelming public support or death for those in power to save face and finally give recognition.

[@meheretoday6968]

only in America...sigh what a disgusting way to treat a war hero or a child, which ever way you want to look at him....

[@GlenCychosz]

The United States does not use child solders.

[@meheretoday6968]

Glen I was talking about the way America treated this child and from what is said it DID USE this child....

[@fledglingalloy8676]

At least his medals were reinstated however that Purple Heart should’ve come back when his bronze star did

[@breannagonzalez5038]

His mother loved him so much she didn't want him to die or get hurt that's why she told them his real age. PEOPLE ARE SO DUMB SAYING THAT SHE RUINED HIS LIFE SHE KEPT IT FROM ENDING ON THAT BATTLESHIP!!!!!

[@spidermcgavenport8767]

Yes, when you serve, the more you volunteer for extra duties, the faster you will see must promote on your Eval. Earning Gunner's Mate 2nd Class in 2 years, starting at E1 seaman recruit too E5 Second Class Petty Officer absolutely rules.

[@celtgunn9775]

Angers me beyond belief that Calvin was stripped of his medals and chucked into the brig. That is just so much bullshit. As the Granddaughter of a Naval man, Army Soldier's daughter, USAF wife, mother of a Marine... this infuriated me. Every single one of these people who Serve in the Military across the Globe in any Nation earn their medals. For a young man like Calvin to have done as he did, on the USS South Dakota. That took serious spine, loads of bravery and honor. More honorable than the idiots we have serving in our Gov't. South Dakota is very proud of the USS South Dakota and those who served on her then & those who Serve on the new USS South Dakota. 🏴󠁵󠁳󠁳󠁤󠁿

[@americanfreedomlogistics9984]

In WWII so many people lied about thief age. Others who were declared 4-F by the draft committed suicide.

[@FIREBRAND38]

Simon, today you'll also found out that the USS South Dakota wasn't a "destroyer" but a battleship with 16 inch guns. Also on the thumbnail for this, I guess you also needed to find out that folks in the Navy are called Sailors and NOT Soldiers (which is an Army thing).

[@pestilenceplague4765]

Great video. The historical videos are my favorites!

[@gardensofthegods]

It's a shame the government really treated the youngest hero so bad all those years . My dad had two bronze stars and a silver medal but I never knew until after he died because he never told any of us kids about his medals

[@sethskullsberg7787]

Are you related to the Vsauce guy. Brother from another mother. Lol

[@brokeneyes6615]

“Thanks mom” comes to mind...

[@firstcynic92]

40mm anti aircraft gun, not 45mm. "The South Dakota, known as Battleship X, was a destroyer..." It was a battleship, not a destroyer.

[@meheretoday6968]

your point is ???? how does this change the outcome of this story ???

[@firstcynic92]

me heretoday It shows the poor quality of their "research" people.

[@meheretoday6968]

its a youtube video. if you want a lesson on history go to school

[@firstcynic92]

me heretoday on a channel with a million subs. The video already has over 20k views. That's a lot of people.

[@richardpowell4281]

Please change the thumbnail. As sailor is not a "soldier". Being a former naval officer its an important distinction to people in the U.S. military.

[@WarKid-ut8mx]

My grandfather was just 16 when he enlisted in the Navy that’s his picture on my profile picture

[@MartinKelly-bx6ft]

Your grandpa was badass

[@christinalove2062]

My great grandfather did this. He was 14 though.

[@christinalove2062]

He served on the Arizona for 7 years from 1917-1924

[@tvdjeda]

There is an even younger one: Momčilo Gavrić joined the army aged 7 in WW1.

[@jerry321999]

I watched that movie when it came out. It was awesome that Pres. Reagan re-instated everything.

[@163reasonswhyrealestateage4]

It just doesn't seem right that Calvin was denied medical benefits and discharged from the Navy just because he enlisted when he was too young to do so. Especially in view of the fact that he served with honor and distinction aboard the USS South Dakota. Courage and honor aren't determined by your age. They are determined by your character.

[@ethanteo3748]

You called USS South Dakota a destroyer 1 second after calling it 'battleship X'

[@jacksonw2032]

He served in the Navy on a destroyer, and as a Marine. This would make him a sailor (and a Marine) neither of which are soldiers.

[@user-dp8869]

He served in 2 branches before 17 holy shit

[@anthonyciccariello8089]

Too bad they didn't honor him when he was still alive

[@iatsd]

So many mistakes in this one... First two errors within first two minutes: the South Dakota was a battleship, not a destroyer; there was no such thing as a 45mm gun in the US Navy. Closest would be the 40mm Bofors AA guns.

[@myrnawashington9057]

Okay we get it, its a battleship not a destroyer!

[@catherine_404]

When your family situation is so bad, you decide, army is better even though it's war and your cousins already died there.

[@robinburt5735]

12 was a pretty standard age for boys to serve in the military during medieval periods.

[@avprfan1]

The navy tries to take care of It's own.

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

4:49 special ceremony or cemetery?

[@dianethedinosaur3228]

I understand his mother was worried about him, but she should've just left him alone. As soon as he was able to legally enter the military, he went right back in. That shows where his heart was to begin with. I don't know if there are many people with that kind of dedication in today's world. It shouldn't have taken so long for him to get his medals returned & for him to receive the recognition he deserved. That was so wrong. But, that's our government. Slow or never, the only speeds they have, unless YOU owe THEM something. Then they want it now or sooner.

[@neatnoot214]

Simon, I have a question, where did the idea of saying "fire!" when shooting a gun or some other kind of weapon like a torpedo come from? I know that it probably came from the early days of blackpowder, but what did they say before that when you fired a crossbow or something, and if they just used the term shoot where did that originally come from? A answer to this would me much appreciated, please and thank you.

[@ethanle6339]

It can be most likely traced back to the Chinese, when they invented the fire lance that was used during the Jin-Song wars. The fire lane was the predecessor of the hand cannon, the very first version of the modern gun in Europe. When the fire lance was used, it looked like fire coming out of it, hence the name. Not also to mention that muzzle flashes from modern guns looks like fire coming out of its barrel.

[@mattmarzula]

Sailors are not soldiers...

[@stirwins333]

The US government's treatment of this hero is absolutely disgusting.

[@dylancooper787]

Its amazing how quick kids had to grow up during that war

[@YTRulesFromNM]

If the whole country was a bit more mature, they wouldn't have supported the Bigots and sold the Japanese all the oil and rubber they could afford.

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

The govt really dropped the ball on this one, didnt hold up their end of the bargain that was in their favor all along.

[@MegaRazorback]

@Today I Found Out would you consider doing a thing on the youngest soldier during WW1?

[@killerjow1233]

This kid has some balls lol like this is cool! 😎

[@meheretoday6968]

the mothers balls were bigger...she reported him knowing there would be problems and that he may never speak to her again and yet she did it to save his life...that took balls.... Good on her