This work tells the personal stories of boys and girls who left home and enlisted at ages 11 to 16 in the U.S. military. Many had difficult home lives, some wanted adventure or a better future, but all wanted to serve their country. They missed high school proms, adolescent years with family and friends, homecoming parades, and graduation ceremonies. They served aboard ships and submarines, on airplanes, and at faraway bases and battlefields. Some became prisoners of war. Many performed above and beyond.

Jack Lucas earned the Medal of Honor at Iwo Jima six days past his 17th birthday....