Ed McMahon was born in Detroit, MI but grew up in Lowell, MA. At the age of 15 he was a bingo caller in Maine and put himself through college as a pitchman for vegetable slicers on the Atlantic board walk. Ed studied at Boston College from 1940-41. Test pilots were required to have 2 years of college and even after the attach on Pearl Harbor, the requirements remained the same, Ed stayed in school as he wanted to be a pilot. In 1944 Ed was commissioned in the Marine Corps and earned his pilot's wings. Training began in Dallas and continued in Pensacola. Ed earned his carrier landing qualifications and was designated Naval Aviator. Ed became an instructor and test pilot in F4U Corsair aircraft at Lee Field, in Green Cove Springs, FL. Ed had orders for the Pacific Fleet in 1945 when the bombs dropped on Japan ended the war.  He remained state side until he was discharged.  Ed remained in the Marine Corps reserves and was called up to serve in the Korean and Vietnam wars thus retiring as a Colonel. Later the State Commission named Ed Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard - an honorary award to recognize his support for the National Guard and Reserve. Ed used the GI Bill to get a degree iand graduated in 1949. He appeared in a few motion films and other television show but is best know as Johnny Carson's side kick on the Tonight Show. Courtesy of WW II uncovered.