Newly enlisted in the Army during World War II, 21-year-old Bob Max soon found himself recruited into the Fort Dix Swing Band to play alongside some of the top musicians in the country--sidemen who performed with the big bands of Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown, Harry James, and Benny Goodman. Bob was thrilled.

One day his name appeared on a list of recruits to be shipped out for basic training, preparation for ultimate combat. Bandleader Jack Leonard arranged for the order to be set aside, but feeling the call of duty, Bob chose to ship out anyway. He told Jack that he expected to back with the band someday.

"Kid," Jack said, "you leave now and you're not ever coming back..."