Early Life
Perot was born in Texarkana, Texas, to Lula May Perot (née Ray) and Gabriel Ross Perot. His father was a cotton broker. He attended a private school called Patty Hill. He graduated from Texas High School in Texarkana in 1947. One of Perot's boyhood friends was Hayes McClerkin, later Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and a prominent Texarkana, Arkansas, lawyer.
Perot joined the Boy Scouts of America and made Eagle Scout in 1942, after thirteen months in the program. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
From 1947–1949, he attended Texarkana Junior College, then entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949 and helped establish its honor system. Perot said his appoinment notice to the academy—sent by telegram—was sent by W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel, Texas' 34th governor and former senator. By the time Perot graduated in 1953 he was president of his class and battalion commander. By late 1954, Perot was made a lieutenant, junior grade. In 1955, however, Perot expressed some discontent with his life in the U.S. Navy in a letter to his father. He quietly served the remainder of his four-year commitment and resigned his commission. Perot married Margot Birmingham of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1956.
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