My Dad; Born 1922, died 2012. He was a junior at Berry College in Rome, GA when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Sgt. York showed up one day and gave a rousing speech. All the boys enlisted.
He fought at Iwo Jima. When the war ended his CO said, "Son, we want to make you an officer". Dad replied, "Sir, I wouldn't stay in if you made me a general."
So, he came home and went to work for the railroad. He ended up running the largest rail yard east of the Mississippi.
He raised two sons, and was a perfect example to live by. I miss him.