He was briefly in the United States Merchant Marine before he enlisted as a private in the United States Army at the end of World War II , from 1945 to 1946 .
Born in Charleston , South Carolina , Hawkins graduated from North Charleston High School in 1944 .
Hawkins was briefly in the United States Merchant Marine before Hawkins enlisted as a private in the United States Army at the end of World War II , from 1945 to 1946 .
Born in Charleston , South Carolina , Hawkins graduated from North Charleston High School in 1944 .