Page "Spencer Tracy" Paragraph 5

With little care for his studies and " itching for a chance to go and see some excitement ", Tracy enrolled in the Navy when he turned eighteen.

He was sent to the Naval Training Station in North Chicago, where he was still a student when World War One came to an end.

He achieved the rank of seaman second class, but never went to sea and was discharged in February 1919.

John Tracy's desire to see one of his sons gain a college degree drove Tracy back to High School to finish his diploma.

Studies at two more institutions plus the additional allowance of " war credits " won Tracy a place at Ripon College.

He entered Ripon in February 1921, declaring his intention to major in medicine.