Too Young the Hero
Encyclopedia
Too Young the Hero is a 1988 television movie. It premiered on CBS
on March 27, 1988. The film tells the true story of a 12-year old boy who faked a birth certificate to join the United States Navy
during World War II. It is based on the real life of Calvin Graham
, who was the youngest American serviceman of the war. The film was produced by Trucon Productions in Virginia Beach
, Virginia for CBS.
. For these actions he is decorated with the Bronze Star
and the Purple Heart
. His secret is discovered when his mother reveals his age. The ship's gunnery officer, future American politician Sargent Shriver
, handles the ensuing case while Graham is still aboard the USS South Dakota. He is returned to the United States where he is mistaken for a deserter and spends three months in the brig
, during which he is sexually assaulted by a drunken older sailor. An abusive guard forces him to scrub the floor with a toothbrush on his 13th birthday. His sister finally has him released by threatening to go to the newspapers. However, he is dishonorably discharged in May 1943 for lying about his age, and loses his disability and veteran benefits.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on March 27, 1988. The film tells the true story of a 12-year old boy who faked a birth certificate to join the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II. It is based on the real life of Calvin Graham
Calvin Graham
Calvin Leon Graham was the youngest U.S. serviceman, during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy in May 1942, at the age of 12....
, who was the youngest American serviceman of the war. The film was produced by Trucon Productions in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
, Virginia for CBS.
Plot
Calvin Graham, a 12-year-old boy who looks older than his age, fakes a birth certificate to enlist in the Navy during World War II. During the boy's basic training, a dentist realizes he is underage and puts his records in the "disqualified" pile. Graham slips his records onto the "qualified" pile and completes training. He becomes "second loader" aboard the and suffers fragmentation wounds during the Naval Battle of GuadalcanalNaval Battle of Guadalcanal
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons, The Battle of Friday the 13th, or, in Japanese sources, as the , took place from 12–15 November 1942, and was the decisive engagement in a series of naval battles...
. For these actions he is decorated with the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
and the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
. His secret is discovered when his mother reveals his age. The ship's gunnery officer, future American politician Sargent Shriver
Sargent Shriver
Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr., known as Sargent Shriver, R. Sargent Shriver, or, from childhood, Sarge, was an American statesman and activist. As the husband of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, he was part of the Kennedy family, serving in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations...
, handles the ensuing case while Graham is still aboard the USS South Dakota. He is returned to the United States where he is mistaken for a deserter and spends three months in the brig
Military prison
A military prison is a prison operated by the military. Military prisons are used variously to house prisoners of war, enemy combatants, those whose freedom is deemed a national security risk by the military or national authorities, and members of the military found guilty of a serious crime...
, during which he is sexually assaulted by a drunken older sailor. An abusive guard forces him to scrub the floor with a toothbrush on his 13th birthday. His sister finally has him released by threatening to go to the newspapers. However, he is dishonorably discharged in May 1943 for lying about his age, and loses his disability and veteran benefits.
Cast
- Rick SchroderRick SchroderRichard Bartlett "Rick" Schroder, Jr. is an American actor and film director.He debuted in the 1979 hit film The Champ, going on to become a child star on the sitcom Silver Spoons...
as Calvin Graham - Jon DeVries as Captain Gatch
- Rick Warner as Holbrook
- Mary Louise Parker as Pearl Spencer
- Debra MooneyDebra MooneyDebra Mooney is an American actress known for her role as Edna Harper on the TV series Everwood.Mooney was born Debra Vick in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the daughter of Isabel and Henry M. Vick.- Filmography :...
as Calvin's mother - Ron Shelley as Cracker
- Christopher Dioni as Avila
- Carl Mueller as Sargent ShriverSargent ShriverRobert Sargent Shriver, Jr., known as Sargent Shriver, R. Sargent Shriver, or, from childhood, Sarge, was an American statesman and activist. As the husband of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, he was part of the Kennedy family, serving in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations...
- Ron Shelley as Cluff
- Christopher Curry as Laslo