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Fiorello Henry LaGuardia has indeed had an explosive career. Born on Manhattan's Varick Street 51 years ago, he grew up at Army posts. His father, a bandmaster, died of embalmed beef at Tampa during the Spanish-American War. When he was 20, Fiorello got into the consular service, serving at Budapest, Trieste and Fiume. A row over immigrant inspection sent him back to Ellis Island, where he was interpreter until 1910, when he began to practice law. He went to Congress on the Republican ticket in 1917, took a leave of absence when the War broke out. He corralled a group of impatient student aviators in Paris, took them to Italy where they peppered the Austrians with bombs and propaganda for 18 months. Having a Congressman for Major was a great boon to his men, who recall him with deep affection.