At the age of 13 , he enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine .
Born in Lunenburg County in the Colony of Virginia , Stokes was the youngest of the eleven children of David Stokes , a military officer and judge .
At the age of 13 , Stokes enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine .
Born in Lunenburg County in the Colony of Virginia , Stokes was the youngest of the eleven children of David Stokes , a military officer and judge .