I walked into the room, turned, and handed the orders to my wife, tossing the useless envelope it’d come in onto the couch located across our small living room.
“Hand-delivered by a Naval messenger,” I said, not knowing what else to say, my mind already beginning to adjust to going back into the A Shau Valley.
My wife read the orders slowly, then re-read them, standing before the small coffee table in front of the couch where Pat sat, with Julie next to her playing with some of her stuffed toys in her lap.
“What is it?” Pat asked, directing her question to Mary since all I did was stand aside and stare out toward the single window the apartment had that allowed any view of the street out in front of our place.
I had to gather what gear I had, I knew, and also provide somehow for my wife and daughter to be taken care of again while I was gone. My SGLI life insurance was for $20,000 but I had no idea how quickly that would pay when I was killed. There was no way in hell, I knew deep inside my core, that I could possibly survive in my condition, in any condition really, back down in that valley. I would not be going to some cushy ‘in the rear with the gear’ billet. I knew that as well. If the Colonel could pull off getting the orders issued that he had then he, no doubt, had plenty of horsepower to have me back down inside that valley with little effort. The Second of the Seventh was a great outfit, but my first regiment had also been great, and it’d been terribly, near completely, decimated.
“The race is on a Saturday, but I have to leave before then,” I said into the silence that had followed Pat’s asking of her question. “I have to somehow get the car back or you won’t have anything.”
“Shut up,” my wife said, without looking over at me, the tone one that I had never heard from her before.
“These orders are for Vietnam, leaving on Monday,” Mary went on, finally answering Pat’s question.
“What are we going to do?’ Pat asked, her voice going up an entire octave.
Julie started to cry, not understanding anything except things were not going the way they normally did, and whatever way they were going wasn’t good.
“I’m thinking,” my wife said, her stare, directed at Pat, as hard as my own, but with fire instead of resignation in it.
“Canada,” Pat said.
“Canada?” I repeated, stunned by the fact that Pat would consider running for the border or at least having me run for the border to avoid going back. Running after receiving such orders, sending me back into combat, however, would not be considered an unauthorized absence. It’d be considered desertion under fire or in the face of the enemy. That was not going to happen, but I stayed quiet.
“Take that green knight thing off,” my wife said, still not talking to me like the kind gentlewoman I knew her to be. “You’re a Marine Officer and a great one. Put on the Marine sweatshirt, the one you got at Quantico. You’re not going back into combat on Monday. You’re in combat right now, we all are.
I’m calling Headquarters Marine Corps. I want that same Colonel I talked to who let you stay home for Julie’s delivery before they sent you over the first time.”
Mary rummaged inside her purse. Neither she nor I had taken a seat since I’d walked through the door. I slowly made my way to the couch and took a seat at the end that Pat and Julie were not occupying. My wife seemed to know exactly what she was doing. I pulled off the Green Knight St. Norbert sweatshirt she’d somehow come to find offensive. It was time to change my dressings and release the wrap. Julie looked across the short distance from which she sat, her back pressed into Pat’s left hip. She gurgled out a giggle and stretched out one small hand toward me. I looked down. The light coming in from the single window was reflecting brightly off the stretched plastic wrapped around my torso in moving sparkles as I turned.
Mary walked to the telephone, having found the scrap of paper she searched for that was secreted at the bottom of her purse. She dialed a number. She talked for only a few seconds before hanging up. I couldn’t hear the conversation from where I sat but was surprised at how short it was.
The phone rang, almost as soon as she hung it up.
“Long-distance is a dollar a minute from here,” Mary explained, picking up the receiver.
Mary talked briefly on the phone, turning her back and speaking in a low tone. I made no effort to leave the couch and try to hear what was being said. For some reason, the notification of orders to return to Vietnam had placed me in a sort of stasis, and I was having a hard time doing or saying anything. I knew I was not myself but was helpless to influence the strange effect.
She hung up the phone once more but didn’t move away from it for a few minutes.
“What are you waiting for, another call?” I asked her.
“I can send a message to Steve to see what he can do from over there,” Pat said, from her place near me on the couch.
Julie played between us, oblivious to what was happening. Steve was Pat’s husband, serving his Vietnam tour in Da Nang at the 1st Marine Division’s legal offices.
The phone rang again. Mary picked it up on the first ring, waiting for a few seconds, and then began to talk. She quickly laid out what had happened, detailing the orders I’d been notified of as well as my recent surgeries required by the injuries I’d suffered. The call went on for a full fifteen minutes until Mary finally stopped and held the phone out to me.
I got up and stepped close to her, wondering what I was supposed to say.
“I’m Colonel Holden, Adjutant General, Headquarters Marine Corps,” the deep voice at the other end of the line said. “Where do you want to serve out your time stateside lieutenant?”
When I didn’t instantly reply, the Colonel continued, “Probably little doubt you’ll soon be up on a medical evaluation to terminate your service, from what your wife says. I’ll pull the medical records to support the change in your orders.”
Thinking as fast as I could, with a sudden flood of questions popping into my head, I worked to slow down and consider. Seconds went by. He’d asked where I wanted to serve, and, although the real answer was; anywhere but where I was, I also knew that was not the answer the man was looking for.
“Camp Pendleton,” I blurted out. I’d heard of the Southern California Marine Base, although I’d never been there. It was close, on the ocean, and maybe not a training center dedicated to sending Marines over into the war. I didn’t know that for certain, but I had to have a place to go or I might get sent to a duty station even worse than the one I was coming out of.
“You’re on medical leave right now, for the next thirty days,” the Colonel said, “and I’ll have your new orders cut and off to you by tomorrow. Do not, and I repeat, do not return to your former duty station. I’ll also enclose a letter from my commanding officer to the division commander there that your physical condition is to be respected fully while you serve out your remaining term of service.”
“Thank you, sir,” was all I could think to reply.
“Welcome home lieutenant,” the Colonel replied with a short laugh. “You might have your hands full while you recover, with that firebrand you married.”
The phone went dead before I could say anything further. “Firebrand?” I whispered to myself, placing the handset back on the receiver base.
“What?” my wife asked.
“Nothing,” I replied, changing the subject. “I have to go to the base one last time to visit the Sergeant Major and thank him,” I said, getting the lie out just as quickly and flatly as I could.
I was going to see Lightning Bolt if I could find him. He’d not met Junior, and I thought it was high time he did.
“Okay if we borrow your car for a bit?” my wife asked Pat.
“Fine,” Pat replied, but I’ve got to leave in an hour from here.”
“Can you get a ride back from the base or have Mickey pick you up if I drop you?” Mary asked.
“Sure,” I replied, thinking of the sergeant and his motorcycle. I had no plan at all for my encounter with my former commanding officer. I knew one would rise up to serve me once I was in front of him, however.
It took me half an hour to get undressed, unwrapped from my Saran Wrap covering, change my bandages and then get my wife’s help. I could not wrap myself in the plastic alone. Mary was busy doing something, I assumed it had to do with Julie, so Pat helped me get re-wrapped.
“What are you going to wear?” Mary asked, asked when I came out of the bedroom without a shirt on.
“Just my Marine sweatshirt, pants, and tennis shoes,” I replied, hoping she would not probe further. Her instincts were so sharp; however, I knew she hadn’t asked her question out of mere curiosity.
“So, you won’t be going to the lighthouse then?” She asked.
“No, not a chance,” I replied. “I’m out of there.”
The ride to the base was a silent one. I knew Mary was not believing what I’d told her but refused to encounter me about it. She had no doubt, I felt, decided that her place was to ride it out and trust that I would not do anything totally stupid.
Knowing where the Sergeant Major’s office was down the hall I walked past workers behind the counter, stopped at his open door, and then angled my head to look inside the space. The Sergeant Major was sitting back in his swivel, a smile on his face.
“Wondered if you’d be back,” he said, waving me inside.
And sadly, I see a day ago that Danny died. I have a friend that ended up buying one of his used cars.
Flynn! I did not catch this comment going through. I always answer you, no matter what. Yes, Danny died and I will miss him dearly forever.
I didn’t know you knew him.
Semper fi,
Jim
I hope you are rethinking your Coup comments in Thirty Days . We now have a Clown in office .
Jim,
It looks like a couple of paragraphs are missing. In my copy you arrive at Treasure Island and suddenly the Sgt. Major tosses you some goggles. No one else mentioned it, so maybe there was a glitch in my download. Could you have someone email me a fresh copy of Chapter XX.
Many thanks for sharing your incredible story. Semper Fi!!
Percy, Thanks for the heads up, all corrected now
Semper fi
Jim
The Sergeant major strapped on some googles and tossed a spare pair over to me. I put them on, feeling like I was some character in a bad war movie.
The Gunny twisted the key, the little four-banger engine coughed to life and the Jeep surged back, and then forward as the little vehicle headed at full speed for the highway, except the Sergeant Major didn’t use the turnout that would have taken us immediately across to the other island
The SgtMajor has the jeep, not “The Gunny”, sorry for bringing it up.
Thanks for the notice.
Corrected now.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great read.
Small correction: I wondered if Smokey wasn’t something of a more important character in drag (g)racing…. drop the g from gracing to make racing.
Found it and thank you, Don
Semper fi,
Jim
Always a great read, thank you.
Jim, Ditto on Dan C’s comment on your lioness & her ability of knowing you so well. Now, you have me right there, like many times before, in the stands – on my feet – anticipating a “green” light. Regards, Doug
“You’re one hell of a Marine lieutenant,” the Sergeant Major said. “I wish the Corps had more officers like you.” What high praise coming from the Sgt. Major.
Looking forward to the race. Couple of sentences with possible wrong name
“Drill?” Mikey answered. “What do you mean?” (Mickey instead of Mikey?)
“That’s it?” Mikey asked, leaning under the hood to look down. “We’re supposed to get a full second on the final run from some holes you drilled somewhere?” (Mickey instead of Mikey?)
“What about them?” Mikey replied, giving the exact same wording to the short question that appeared in my mind. (Mickey instead of Mikey?)
Thank you, Tony.
I think I found them and corrected them.
Semper fi,
Jim
I waited for more but Mickey didn’t add anything to what he’d said. I wondered if Smokey wasn’t something of a more important character in drag gracing than
Damn, with all that racing excitement, I wish I was there. After reading the previous chapter, my advice would have been to call your Congressman’s office. Your wife was already one up on me, she is certainly a “Firecracker”!!
After Smokey finished drilling headers I notice that “Mikey” name appears in next 3 paragraphs looking under hood and asking what holes are for.. Is the name supposed to be “Mickey” or did I miss someone..
You are corrected and it has been fixed.
Thanks, Jon.
Seemper fi,
Jim
Isn’t that supposed to Yunick not Yanick? Also I had a ’66 Lemons Sprint the same color as the GTO in the picture.
Thanks for the heads up.
Yes and Corrected.
Semper fi
Jim
James, you married a lioness! …and a smart lioness.
I enjoy reading about Julie’s interactions with her environment.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
but I had no idea who quickly that would pay when I was killed.
Maybe “how” instead of “who”
but I had no idea how quickly that would pay when I was killed.
The race is on Thursday,
Later in the segment you write
The fifth day, Saturday, was the running of the races.
I
got up and stepped close to her, wondering what I was supposed to say.
Just line up the sentence and probably start a new paragraph.
grabbing a set of keys from the right top drawer of his desk
I never saw a military vehicle that required keys to start. That said, anything can be added later.
Marine Army contest
Maybe add “vs” between “Marine” and “army”
Marine vs Army contest
But there’d seemed to have been time for her to make that call
Maybe add “no” before “time”
But there’d seemed to have been no time for her to make that call
Smokey we have to gain a second here, and drilling anything isn’t going to give us do that.”
Maybe drop “do”
Smokey we have to gain a second here, and drilling anything isn’t going to give us that.”
drill handing down from his free hand,
Maybe “hanging” instead of “handing”
drill hanging down from his free hand,
“
That’s it?” Mikey asked
Line up the sentence with the quote mark plus add a line for a new paragraph.
“The headers,” Smokey answered, lighting the tobacco he’d carefully placed in his pipe, and then lighting it.
There’s two “lighting”s. Maybe “tamping” instead of the first “lighting”
“The headers,” Smokey answered, tamping the tobacco he’d carefully placed in his pipe, and then lighting it.
Have your guys push up the car to the line,
Reads a bit smoother if “up” comes before “to”
Have your guys push the car up to the line,
more important character in drag gracing than I’d thought
“racing” rather than “gracing”
more important character in drag racing than I’d thought
Great horns blasted
This and the following sentence could be its own paragraph.
The Winternationals were about to begin
add period at end of sentence
The Winternationals were about to begin.
E Stock would the category
Add “be” after “would”
E Stock would be the category
lowering his voice as much of he could
Substitute “as” for “of”
lowering his voice as much as he could
Good to see you back. Blessings & Be Well
Again you are magnificent, Dan!
Thank you, and all are corrected…
I think. ~~smile
Semper fi,
Jim
Fantastic !
What a time to stop the story !!! LOL
Another riveting chapter in a long series of riveting chapters. You are blessed with your wife, she puts tigers to shame. Go get’em Mickey!!!!
I’ve served with a few pos’s, officer and enlisted. Some were Nam vets that I’m very surprised made it out without being fragged! Most were great Marines, officer and enlisted. Lt. Col. Creel and his xo who I remember well but not his name and Sgtmaj. Candelerio! Some of the finest examples of Marines in 1/10! Tough, strict, but fair!!!! 10th Marine regiment, Col. Cato and SgtMaj Craig. 2nd Mardiv. Gen. Al ( Papa Bear ) Grey. HQ Marine Corp, Col. Hildegard. One of the first women to be over a division I believe. Gunny prince in Alpha 1/10, our First shirt who I can’t remember his name. 10th Marines Masterguns over the arty mechs, Capt Mack and 1st Sgt. Montgomery and many, many more who helped to make me the Marine that I was. I know for a fact that I’ve served under a few “lightning bolts”! I wish the Corps had better ways of weeding out the idiots! I know too many Marines who got out over a few pos’s! Semper Fi my LT brother! Sgt. Johnny Applewhite!!!
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Johnny.
And for your service as a Marine.
Semper fi,
Jim
Lightning Bolt….the ass needed to meet Junior! Mary was more effective because she killed him with something that scared the hell out of the Corps!
S/F
Homan
Well damn you left us hanging again. Please don’t make us wait as long for the next chapter.👍👍
Jim, LT, you sure write one heck of a great story. You grab and maintain attention from start to finish, and really keep your readers spell-bound.
Can’t wait until you get to Pendleton, and become a “Hollywood Marine” – should be fun.
Big CONGRATS to your wife for doing what was right for both you and the Corps.
Waiting on the next installment. The who/how was the only error that I caught, but Sam beat me to it.
Thanks.
“Smokey Yunick” Lieutenant. Another amazing chapter. BZ
Thanks for the input.
It is corrected.
Semper fi,
Jim
I’m there, with LT, in the pits with all the sounds and smells of the track
Thanks LT. Glad you didn’t have to go back. I often wondered why Smokey drilled the holes in the headers now I know.
Found an edit James, 5th paragraph: Change “who” to “how” My SGLI life insurance was for $20,000 but I had no idea who quickly that would pay when I was killed. Still enjoying your writting-keep it coming and thanks.
Corrected.
Thanks, Rick
Semper fi, Jim
LT, I was getting worried your trap was heading the wrong way, loved how you explain your wife!! Welcome home Sir ….Semper Fidelis
My SGLI life insurance was for $20,000 but I had no idea who quickly that would pay when I was killed. Replace who with how.
I need a drill with an eight-inch bit, not larger nor smaller than that,” Eighth
a drill handing down from his free hand, Hanging
Thanks for the observation. Corrected.
Semper fi
Jim
Yet another cliff hanger….
Well doe, James.
Oops. Well DONE!
The power of a mad wife. WOW.
Amen!
Semper fi,
Jim
The great stories continue. Maybe your wife should have been named “Karen,” but she knew how to get it done. I served three months in a personnel company and soon learned that all it took to get things done was documentation and a shout out to the right person.