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Questions and Answers
What significant event happened just after Mr. Gardiner's twentieth birthday?
What was Mr. Gardiner's living situation after his parents' death?
How did Uncle Pete treat Mr. Gardiner?
What challenges did Mr. Gardiner face while trying to participate in sports?
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How did the other kids at school react to Luke Gardiner's home situation?
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What motivated Luke Gardiner to spend time in the library instead of pursuing sports?
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Which book by Napoleon Hill did Luke Gardiner read that significantly impacted his outlook on life?
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What was the reason for Priscilla's parents' behavior toward Luke Gardiner's relationship with her?
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How did Pete respond to Luke Gardiner's request for money to buy a suit for prom?
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What financial arrangement did Luke have with Pete after starting work?
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What opportunity did Luke enlist for in the Army Air Force?
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Which band notably influenced Luke during his basic training?
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What was Luke's primary motivation for choosing bombardier training?
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How did Luke feel when he received money from Pete before leaving for Boston?
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What was Pete's ultimate fate after Luke joined the Army?
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Study Notes
Life Before Enlistment
- Luke Gardiner was orphaned at age 8, living with his alcoholic uncle, Pete
- Pete abused Luke, both physically and emotionally
- Luke worked two paper routes and a job at Flumere’s Hardware Store to support himself
- Luke found solace in the Merriam Public Library and devoured self-help books, believing he could improve his life
- Luke had a girlfriend, Priscilla Wheat, from a wealthy family, but they were discouraged from dating
Military Enlistment and Training
- Luke enlisted in the Army Air Force at age 20
- He passed the physical and written exams for bombardier training
- He initially opted for bombardier training due to its shorter duration and fear of missing the chance to fight in the war
- He was trained in Atlantic City, Nashville, and Santa Ana before moving to Carlsbad for bombardier school
- He performed poorly during initial bomb runs, receiving a citation for unintentionally killing two steers with errant bombs
Transition to Salt Lake
- Luke was assigned to Salt Lake after graduating from bombardier school
- He spent his pre-deployment time writing letters to Priscilla, seeing movies, and reading
- He expressed a desire to succeed in life and become notable
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Description
Explore the life story of Luke Gardiner, an orphan who overcame personal struggles to enlist in the Army Air Force. This quiz covers his early experiences, challenges during training, and the pivotal moments that shaped his journey. Test your knowledge on the highs and lows of his military enlistment.