Education and Military Service
Faulk enrolled in the University of Texas in 1932. He became a protégé of J. Frank Dobie, Walter Prescott Webb, and Roy Bedichek, enabling Faulk to hone his skills as a folklorist. He earned a Master's degree in Folklore, with his thesis "Ten Negro Sermons". He further began to craft his oratory style as a part-time English teacher at the University 1940–1942, relating Texas folk tales peppered with his gift of character impersonations.
He was originally unfit for service with the United States Army, due to an eye problem. In 1942, Faulk joined the Merchant Marine for a one-year stint. In 1943, Faulk spent the year in Cairo, Egypt serving the American Red Cross. World War II had caused the United States Army to relax its enlistment standards, and Faulk enlisted in 1944, serving at Camp Swift, Texas as a medic. It was during this time period Faulk also joined the American Civil Liberties Union.
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