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Note: Grandpa didn't get much schooling as a child. He had to leave school in the 3rd grade to go to work in the coal mines to help support
the family. After his father died in 1917, Grandpa ran away from home
due to a poor relationship with his stepmother. Once he was out of the
house Grandpa joined the U.S.M.C. after lying to them about his age.
When the Corps discovered what his actual age really was, 14-15, they
sent him back home. Grandpas sister Sybil, knowing he was just going to
run away from home again signed the permission slip for him the reenter
the Corps. He reenlisted at Parris Island, South Carolina June 16,
1919. During that stay, he qualified as Marksman on August 25, 1922.
He was also in the Dominican Expeditionary Force August 22, 1919 to
November 30, 1920. The military, at that time, was looking for Poncho
Villa in the Domincan Republic. Grandpa was discharged from the Corps on
June 6, 1923 as Private 1st Class. He reenlisted July 23, 1923 at
Richmond, Virginia. He qualified as Sharpshooter October 24, 1924. He
was discharged June 23, 1926 as a Corparal.
His military record still carries the lie about his age. According to his discharge papers he was born in 1900. They also described him as
5ft. 8in with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Apparently his nickname
among his Brown siblings was well deserved-'Little Brother'. It was
during the second enlistment that he met Grandma in Baltimore. According
to a letter we found, Grandpa also spent time in the U.S.M.C. Reserves.
The letter dated August 1929 assigned him to Company "L", 3rd Battlion,
9th Regiment in Detroit, MI.
During his civilian life Grandpa also worked for the Department of the Navy. His first job with them was from 1940 to 1946 as an Inspector
in the Office of Naval Material. His next job with the Navy was from
July 1953 to the time of his death where he was Industrial Specialist in
the Material Inspection Service. Before moving to Detroit, Grandma and
Grandpa spent time living in Dundalk, Maryland. While there Grandpa ran
for and was elected as an Alderman in Dundalk.
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