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I never knew this about Alex Haley. I just knew he was the author of Roots and was an outstanding author. Enjoy! Alexander Murray Palmer Haley was born in Ithaca, New York, on August 11, 1921. His parents were Simon and Bertha Palmer Haley. The family moved to Henning, Tennessee, six weeks after his birth. In 1937, he graduated from high school at 15 years old. In 1938, Haley enrolled at Alcorn State University in Mississippi but transferred to Elizabeth City State College in North Carolina. However, Haley withdrew from college and joined the military. On May 24, 1939, Haley enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He became a third-class Petty Officer in the rate of Mess Attendant, one of the few enlisted positions open to African Americans at that time. While serving in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, Haley taught himself the art of letter and story writing. Haley requested that the U.S. Coast Guard transfer him to the journalist department. To show his talent, Haley wrote what combat was like, and the ‘Coast Guard Magazine’ published his works. Towards the war's end, Haley was assigned to edit the ‘Outpost,’ an official U.S. Coast Guard periodical published by the Coast Guard's Personnel Separation Center. His editorial work earned him a "commendable mention" from the Ships Editorial Association. On June 29, 1949, Haley was promoted to Journalist, First Class. On December 16, 1949, Haley was promoted to Chief Journalist Officer. He was the first and only one in the Coast Guard then. In 1959, Haley retired from the Coast Guard after 20 years of service. He became a full-time freelance writer and built a distinguished career. In 1977, Haley earned a Pulitzer Prize and Spingarn Medal for his novel “Roots: The Saga of an American Family.” Other notable works include "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," "A Different Kind of Christmas," and "Queen: The Story of an American Family.” Alex Haley died on February 10, 1992, at the age of 70. Haley was buried beside his childhood home in Henning, Tennessee. Photo: Alexander Haley, circa 1940. (U.S. Coast Guard)