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Just a Kid from Hell's Kitchen - In Remembrance of TC Murray

Just a Kid from Hell's Kitchen - In Remembrance of TC Murray

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Because <strong>of</strong> physical or mental disabilities, some were classified as 4F, and were not<br />

drafted. Were there draft dodgers during the war? Very few to my knowledge, for<br />

virtually all Americans supported the war. Still there was some resentment against “4<br />

F’er’s” who outwardly appeared in top physical condition. Such was the case <strong>of</strong> teen idol,<br />

Frank Sinatra. The venue was ironic. Across the street <strong>from</strong> the Recruitment Center on<br />

Broadway was the Paramount Theatre where Sinatra was appearing in a just released<br />

1944 movie. The crooner was classified as “4F”much to the chagrin <strong>of</strong> many servicemen.<br />

One day a group <strong>of</strong> rambunctious sailors pelted with tomatoes the larger than life image<br />

<strong>of</strong> Sinatra that was affixed in the center <strong>of</strong> the theatre’s marquis. “Take that, Frankie, you<br />

draft dodger”. However, Sinatra would redeem himself by traveling with the USO<br />

toward the end <strong>of</strong> the war.<br />

Nearly 15 million men served in the U. S. Army (and Army Air Corps), Navy, Marines,<br />

Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine during the War. Women, too, were allowed to enter<br />

the services in non-combatant roles i.e. the WACS (Army), WAVES (Navy), BAMS<br />

(Marines) and the SPARS (Coast Guard). Juvenile humor was at its best in grammar<br />

school when a classmate would ask you, What is the difference between a WAVE and a<br />

WAC? A wave is this, as he would wave his hand and a wac (whack) is this, as he would<br />

slap you in the face. What does a ship do when it pulls into port? Ties up! and you would<br />

pull your classmate’s tie up <strong>from</strong> his sweater. How corny!

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