Biography of Winthrop Rockefeller - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Winthrop studied at Lincoln School in New York, and that at Loomis School in Windsor. He was not very gifted academically, but was extremely popular among his classmates. He even withdrew himself from Yale University without completing his degree. After this he was not willing to take up his family business. He then joined as an apprentice in one of the oil fields in Texas in the year 1936. Years later, he had once commented that it was the best year in his life. In 1937, he joined Socony Vacuum in the department of foreign trade. This was a signal that hinted he was gradually willing to meet his family’s expectations and traditions. He was beginning to believe in the importance of a family, but his personal preferences and tastes remained to be unorthodox and unconventional. This was noticed during the Second World War. During this time he was getting attracted towards the army for the challenges and the freedom it offered. His family was also associated with the army. He joined the army in a private post on 22nd January1941, which was one year before the Pearl Harbor (Donovan, 1988, p.226). He went to the Officer Candidate School and graduated as second lieutenant on the 22nd of January 1942. He worked at Fort Benning, as a machine gun instructor. He eventually became a Commander, and was then promoted to the position of the Captain and then a Major in H Company in Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He appeared to be strong commander. He was an active participant in the Guam and the Philippines battles. During this battle period he became the lieutenant colonel, but had wounded himself when Okinawa was invaded. He was awarded for his courage with the ‘Purple Heart’ and the ‘Bronze Star with Oak Leaf’ (Donovan, 1988, p.227).  ...Download file to see next pagesRead More