Max Mayhew entered World War II on March 5, 1943 having lied about his age in order to join the U.S. Army. At only 17 years old, Max wanted to be a part of the war effort simply because, as he put it, "at the time it was considered to be the patriotic thing to do." Once in the service, he was sent initially to North Africa but eventually traveled to Morocco and Italy. While his young age kept him from being awarded an official military rank, Max served with great integrity in the fields of gasoline research and water purification until he returned home to Illinois on December 4, 1945. At this point, Max followed up on completing high school, receiving his diploma and then going to college where he studied the sciences. His fascination with science along with his college education launched Max on a 30-year career as a science teacher. Today, even in his retirement, Max Mayhew continues to

educate people in the field of metaphysics, the study of human relationship to the universe and God.

Beyond Enemy Lines

Despite having lied his way into the U.S. army at the age of 17, zealous to contribute to the World War II military effort, Max Mayhew had a strong understanding for the word, "responsibility". While he never stood with the front lines during the brutal combat of the Nazi front in Italy where his outfit was stationed, he recognized his position as a gasoline technician was a job equally important. Max knew, as well as anyone, that without the pipelines, there was no gasoline. Without gasoline, there was nothing to fuel the American trucks, tanks, and airplanes. Finally, without those quintessential vehicles, there was nothing to power the American resistance against the savage Nazis.

Max had come to realize that Nazi bombings of the gasoline treatment stations and pipelines themselves were somewhat commonplace. It was not difficult to see why the Germans had such a desire to do so; knocking out the gas supply virtually knocked out the U.S. army, as well. Aside from aerial bombings, ground intrusions and secretive pilfering of gasoline also posed a threat to the vital gas reaching the front lines where it was needed most. In an effort against these attacks, Max's outfit was well trained in defense tactics to keep the losses to a minimum. Gasoline was not something that could easily be given up. As they often did, a Nazi invasion on the gas pipelines occurred late one night, calling upon everyone to do his part in the defense plan.

Max and a few other men quickly gathered the necessary supplies and ran to their respective zones to stop the rebel force from damaging the oil pipes. They continued their foot journey to what seemed like an effective and safe place to stake out and defend the pipeline. However, it became quickly apparent that their hideout was anything but safe, as they looked up to the sight of some German Nazis in the distance; they had gone beyond the American boundaries and were actually on Nazi territory. Along with this new realization came the dire urgency to get back over the enemy lines before

being discovered. Max knew that if they were discovered, they could be captured...or worse. Having crossed the boundary made them fair game and put them at the mercy of the German army, a highly undesirable place to be. A sneeze, a dropped gun, a heavy step, the snapping of a stick; any of these seemingly insignificant incidents could be the defining line between life and death. Excitement and fear took the helm of Max's body as he and the others stealthily maneuvered back towards the safety zone. "Quickly" and "quietly" were the key words for returning to camp alive and well.

Setting foot back into the safety zone flooded Max and the others with a sense of relief and joy. Max knew darn well that war was dangerous enough; no real reason to make it any more dangerous by finding himself beyond the enemy lines.