James J. McGrath was left home with his folks during the early years of WWII while his four older siblings were all serving in the military. Never one to hesitate, he volunteered at age 14 for service with the U.S. Merchant Marine, fudging by one year his true age to meet requirements.

Marines pushed deeper into Taliban strongholds today after suffering the first fatality of their massive offensive against Afghanistan's hardline Islamist militia. Marines are on the ground in Helmand province's districts of Garmsir and Nawa, and have helped Afghan forces take Khanishin, towards the border with Pakistan.

The White House is considering issuing an executive order to imprison a small number of Guantanamo Bay detainees. No final decisions have been made about the order, which would be the fourth major mandate by President Barack Obama to deal with how the United States treats and prosecutes terror suspects and foreign fighters.

Thousands of miles from home, US soldiers and fans of Michael Jackson stationed north of Baghdad expressed shock over the death of the pop legend. Some of the troops at Forward Operating Base Warhorse stopped in their tracks, dining trays in hand, as they watched the latest updates.

Don't ask, don't tell, and now, apparently, don't move. One of the most culturally contentious issues in the U.S. military the law requiring gay and lesbian members of the armed services to keep their sexual preferences hidden briefly seemed like it was back on the table. Lawmakers are waiting on a proposal from the White House before moving on the issue.