Book excerpt: A young coddled boy like so many others in 1945 is pressed into service to defend his country from the evil Axis Powers. He had to grow up fast and become a member of a new destroyer with the killing powers not yet dreamed of in those days. As luck would have it, the war was over before the "Wilson" was launched and Bud Gottesman now only had to survive Navy Boot Camp and life aboard a destroyer with 345 other young sailors in very cramped quarters. From day one, nothing went according to plans. Bud Gottesman had to learn how to adapt and handle things without his parent's supervision and protection. He learned to see the funny side of things instead and grew up with each obstacle he encountered.