Mr. Powers. I think it was attached to him at Keesler as any individual in our particular group were concerned; this was the first contact that most of us had with each other as individuals. We were brought together here at Keesler, and, of course, living and going to school together and in close proximity with each other, we did get to know each other personally more than at any other time.
I think this is the period of time that it was attached to my own mind as well as the other people in the group.
Mr. Jenner. I take it you felt he was not aggressive as far as leadership was concerned, and you boys felt that you didn't have to worry about him as competitively?
Mr. Powers. I would say so, yes; but of course, at this time of our careers, if you would like to call it that, of marines, there wasn't any real significance attached to leadership. It was still—we were all the same rank. Of course, one being in the service longer, there was always a senior marine as far as I was concerned, and I was the marine in charge of this particular class if you—I think this is the way they call it, class or flight squadron, whatever they call it, and well, while at Keesler, I was promoted to corporal, which again was an advancement in leadership, and, of course, there could never be any differentiation of privates.
I was a corporal over privates, first class, and still with the closest relationship that we had there, I don't think there was any rank barrier or difference here.
I think we were all regarded that we were just marines at this school and not trying to enforce authority at any particular time in which we would get more in the infantry of the Marines. There a corporal is a corporal, but in going to school like this, you wouldn't enforce discipline to a point where people jumped when a person of higher rank said something.
Mr. Jenner. What was your rank when you were mustered out?
Mr. Powers. Out of the Marine Corps?
Mr. Jenner. Yes.
Mr. Powers. I was a sergeant.