During World War II, my Navy boot camp training was in the winter at Sampson Naval Training Center along the Finger Lakes of Geneva, N.Y. The center was just in the process of building barracks, and the new two-story barracks were without heat because the furnaces had not been installed. That winter, we had a heavy snow and it piled up to just below the window ledge of the second story of our barracks.

The petty officer in charge insisted that all the windows be opened for air and for our health. One can imagine how cold we were. We were required to abide by all Navy regulations or pay the price with work detail. Our peacoats could only be worn outside the barracks. We had only a sheet and one wool blanket at night. We marched in snow so deep that we could not feel the ground. There was no relief from the cold; no matter how much we wished for it.

One of the recruits was unhappy in the Navy and looked for any excuse to be discharged. To prove that he was unfit for service, he pretended that he had a personality problem and wanted to receive a Section 8 for discharge. After a few days, he dived out of an open window on the second floor. Ha! Ha! We all knew that he didn't go far because the snow was just below the window ledge.

This same guy later did receive a Section 8 discharge.