‘I would do it all over’ | America’s youngest WWII veteran was sent to war at age 14

SAN ANTONIO — On this Veteran’s Day we’re honoring the youngest residing World War II veteran. Like many Americans, Bob Kelso signed up to combat in World War Two. But – he was solely 13 years outdated. He was sent into battle and wounded – one of many youngest Americans ever to obtain the Purple Heart.

In buildings throughout San Antonio you will note the names Bob Kelso and his late spouse Betty. They have donated thousands and thousands to native faculties, museums and medical analysis. But Bob Kelso did not develop up rich.  Born in 1930 to Oklahoma farmers, his mother and father divorced and Kelso grew up bouncing between his mother and father and foster houses.

After ending seventh grade in 1944 he signed up for the draft, claiming to be 18. At six toes tall, nobody questioned  his age. He was in truth, solely 13 years outdated. His motives weren’t purely patriotic!

“You had to be a certain age to buy beer,” Kelso stated with amusing.

Kelso did not have a lot time to take pleasure in that beer.  He was shortly drafted and shipped abroad – assigned to 342nd Armored Field Artillery battalion.

His unit was sent to France, making their approach by means of Germany, combating Nazis and liberating cities alongside the way in which.

“They put me humping ammunition taking it from this point to the gun to be loaded and fired,” defined Kelso.

Four months into the motion, Kelso and a few troopers went searching for meals in an space they thought was liberated.

“I went into this house, 3 or 4 of us.  I was looking for eggs and these Germans were still there and that’s when it happened,” stated Kelso.

The Germans opened hearth and Kelso and his fellow troopers fought again.

“They killed one of our guys,” Kelso stated.

Kelso nearly died as nicely. He was bayonetted within the leg.

“I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks,” Kelso stated.

Before he could possibly be shipped to the Pacific, the Army came upon the now Purple Heart recipient was solely 14 years outdated.

We requested him “When you were over there in Germany carrying artillery rounds, did you ever think I should be in English class or Biology class?”

“I tell you I’d rather be there than taking a biology class,” responded Kelso.

Kelso was sent house… the place he made entrance  web page news throughout the nation. 77 years later, Kelso nonetheless downplays his heroics and all the eye.

“I didn’t pay a lot of attention to it really,” stated Kelso.

He bought his GED, then went to school, then signed up to serve once more.  He spent 20 years within the Air Force, serving two excursions in Vietnam. In 2015, he was awarded the Highest Award in France – the Legion of Honor – for his half in liberating the French from the Nazi regime.

“I played very small role but I was there,”  stated Kelso.

Now 92 years outdated, the boyish appears to be like could also be a distant reminiscence.  But within the battle examined eyes of America’s youngest ever World War II hero, the combat remains to be there!

“I would do it all over,” stated Kelso.