Born sixth in a family of eight children, I grew up poor, graduated high school at seventeen. I could not find a job. I had to be at least eighteen to work on a machine. I tried to get dad to sign me in the Army, but he said no. So I waited until I was eighteen. The next day, I went and joined the Army Airborne. Now I had to join the Airborne because you get extra money for jumping, and I needed that. I made a promise I would try to help my family if I could, so I sent four allotments home: one to Dad, one to my sister, one to my grandmother, and one to my brother who had gotten into trouble. I was a good soldier. I could do it all--I could outrun, outwalk, outshoot, outshine my boots, outmarch--you name it, I could do it! The guys said I had an angel in my pocket to be able to do the things I did. What do you think?