The three of us sat on the bench, our backs to Cobb’s smaller, but expensive yacht, and facing Richard’s larger and much more expensive yacht. It was readily apparent that the two boats were so closely slipped near one another out of deliberation rather than ignorance or the luck of the draw. Both smoked while, except for a very few exceptions when down in the Valley with the Gunny, I did not. The smoke wafted over me, as the usual northeastern breeze roiled gently around us. Nobody said anything for several uncomfortable moments. The question asked of me moments before resounded through my mind, bouncing from place to place but finding no purchase anywhere.
Tom Thorkelson had driven into me the sales technique of using silence as a power tool. The first person to speak in almost any sales situation, following either introductions or a presentation, was usually the one who would give in or surrender and buy the product being sold. Waiting for the silence to end had to be made, or allowed to be made, more difficult for the other person than the presenter, although such silences are always hard for both parties. This technique, I discovered as I dealt with all manner of other ‘sales’ situations, was extremely effective in all of them. Chuck Bartok was also a master of Tom’s application of the Xerox sales process. Except he’d added the Marine Corps variant to the technique, which I found brilliant and also most useful.
It is interesting that this chapter brings together real historic participants into a memoir that is claimed “fiction” to protect and allow the publishing!!!
Most war and recovery stories are questioned on the sheer reasoning that “all that stuff must be a meld long periods of action. This week we have pictures with real people, real accepted medals and actual participant stories that fit very close to the fiction……
Thank you Colonel! What a neat observation. Not one I made at all. But looking back at it I see your point. It’s kind of argue with
old newspaper clippings, Polaroid shots and some of the players piping in, none of them doing so with any denial or criticism whatever.
I am so happy that I made the difficult decision to use people’s real names. That’s a risk thing to do in this day and age.
Thanks for the usual high level of support and brilliant observation.
Semper fi,
My friend,
Jim
Instead of being relegated to the background, I see myself with a lot of other readers on the sideline, cheering you on! The way you write makes it easy to see myself in the story as a participant. Only good writers can accomplish that exceptional experience. I am just glad that your stories have not brought back the nightmares I had from my time in Vietnam. I also enjoy reading all the comments (maybe not all the needed text corrections though). I applaud the people you can count on to proof read for you. I wait impatiently for the next chapter and hope to add this series next to my Thirty Days has September.
Thanks Daniel, as this kind of in depth series of compliments touch me deeply. Sometimes I get stuck, not exactly writer’s block, but more a confounded thing, particularly when I
realize I’ve juxtaposed some circumstances and have them out of order. Then I have to go backwards and fix the mistake. I hate that. So, I read some comments, like your very
own, and then dig right in, re-energized by the readers. Most authors have silent readers but I would not hate that.
I must live up to your expectations, even though I only think about that when I’m reading answering the comments (of which I answer them all personally!) and not doing the writing.
I am on chapter XLIX right this minute so I will take up the pen
once again and get to it…ready to go…and thanking you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow just Wow, Situational awareness in overdrive, your mind working in the background knowing that marine was in danger he wasn’t aware of. Acting intensly even if it ends up in a hatless dance.
The dramatic events around the characters and the porsche sleeping with the fishes, are just distractions about what really matters , that young marine’s life!
A mans character is judged by his actions, not his words. BZ James ! the world tested you that day and you rose up to the chalange rather than just watch it happen. The toughest part of my training was the life saving swimming, I didn’t know that you could sweat so much in the water! I am forever grateful I wasn’t put to such a test as you jumped into. B.Z. !!
Thanks for the most generous interpretation of what happened. You well written analysis is so complimentary. Larry Young wrote in the comments and that was uexpected
and wonderful, as did Bob Elwell, one of the guards. Great to relive this time with so much support.
Seper fi,
Jim
I thought I would share this. Here’s a shot of the Marines with 2nd Battalion 13th Marines, the unit which Larry Young belonged to. They are throwing me into a huge vat of ice upon hearing of the awarding of the Navy Marine Corps Medal…which was equivalent to winning coaches being showered with Gatorade. Wonderful!!!
I only saw this Polaroid today. My wife had it in an album, from th9se days, i never really looked in or paid much attention to.
She remembers the incident better than I because it was very uncommon for the Marines of the time to invite wives to anything.
Neat time. Larry Young is the 4th from the left Marine, icing me down because I was now supposedly too hot.
Semper fi,
Jim
Neat! Looks like a Jeep trailer filled with ice and “beverages”. The perfect way to keep things cold for a unit party. Apparently you also survived that experience.
Thanks DanC.
I was pretty much able to keep the wounds in check, at least from being viewed by others,
although the enlisted Marines I served with and was among viewed the scars more as badges of honor than anything else.
Civilians were another thing altogether so I always wore a shirt going to pools or at the beach…
and still do.
Thanks for the usual intelligent and caring DanC comment.
Semper fi, my friend
Jim
Intense chapter. I took BSA Lifesaving 60 years ago and it’s still imprinted in the recesses of my brain. That funky jump into deep water scissoring your arms and legs to keep your head above water and your eyes on the target. Tremendous courage on your part for what you did. Kudos!
Thanks a lot James, much appreciate your understanding and compliment. And the compliment of your own intense interest too and writing about it
on hrre.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Is Julie hugging a cat ‘toy’ in the picture? I’ll have more later – Been off-line for a bit. Regards, Doug
Now that’s being observant! Yes, that was one of her favorite stuffed animals of the time, according to Mary, as I do not recall it. Mrs. Beasley was that one
that impacted me.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, No “tome”, simply about the cat Bozo. As soon as you introduced him, my mind (Such as it is.) went to “The Cat”. His decision to make your family part of his “pride” struck me. His ‘presence’ & his attitude around Julie – The fact that Julie ‘felt’ his care, his protection & being part of her family, resulted in (It seems to me.) making him “one of her favorite stuffed animals”. How long was Bozo part of your pride? Regards, Doug
Thanks for your recognition and care about Bozo. He was the first cat to impact my, and out, life. He made it almost ten years before passing one night sitting on the
floor late, right next to me watching lake night television. That he came from such a bitter and battered past, and then transitioned so quickly to what he became,
as basically the head of our ‘pride,’ taught me a lot about the animals around us that we take to be sub creatures but are really not…or don’t have to be. Thanks for
your wonderful comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
I was a guard on the beaches in and around San Clemente at the time Jim was head of the beach patrol. The event at Trestles Beach was only one of several I worked with him on, although the most treacherous, by far.
He, and the other officers who worked the beaches at that time got along great with Steve Bro and I and it was as fun as it was wildly strange.
Thanks Jim for putting this all in writing and making Steve and I look a little better than we actually were! I left the guard force in 1975 to becoming an insurance agent, taking over Jim’s business as he moved on to other things.
Thanks Bob, for coming on here and giving a bit of a description about our time together. Wild times
and your part in all of it was most admirable and filled with bits and pieces of courage, trust and honor.
Thank you for putting this up on the site for all to read.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
I so vividly remember those days.
Bob. I am honored to have had the opportunity to be your friend.
You were and are a stand-up Guy!
You are spot on, Chuck!
Intense chapter. I took BSA lifesaving 60 years ago and it’s still imprinted in the recesses of my brain. That funky jump into deep water scissoring your arms and legs to keep your head above water and your eyes on the target. Tremendous courage on your part for what you did. Kudos!
Thank you James, for that was one of my better days, and as much as some people think I was wrong to risk it, I didn’t and don’t think so. Larry Young proved well worth the effort
and the risk. One of the strange things about the mystique and social structure of the Marine Corps is that all Marines are your Marines…as you are their very own.
Thanks for the compliment and the support…
Semper fi,
Jim
Absolutely amazing, as always!
I think many veterans are being helped by your writing. Semper Fi!
Thanks so much Steve. I am really buoyed up by your comment and can only hope that this monumental effort in writing
is having a decent effect on those vets who may be able to use it and gain something from it.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT if it wasn’t for your awareness of your surroundings your ability to see things before they unfold that Marine would have surely drowned. That goes all the way back to the Valley
Thanks Tony for the great compliment in your writing, and for putting it up on here.
Really makes me feel great!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
One of the most amazing episodes in the series so far.
I eagerly await the next chapter you are so kindly sharing.
It has been so long since I read your “Thirty Days hasSeptember”.
I did not remember General Dwyer was the officer who sent you into the Ashau valley.
Thanks so much for the great comment John, and also, in the past few days, buying my whole set of 30 Days. The USPS tracking number is:9549012776835271767718And your
should receive the books next Thursday, according to the local office here. I make about three bucks a book on the sales so I much appreciate the purchase, as it all helps significantly
to keep this ‘ship of state’ on an even keel and sailing along, chapter after chapter.
Semper fi, and much appreciate he depth of your compliments too.
Jim
Oh what a tangled web you weave!! Great James! Hope telling it helps you? HAROLD
It is, indeed, a bit cathartic to lay it all out and even now, sometimes figure out stuff I really didn’t understand at the time.
It was hard to believe the Kennedy assassination stuff I was being handed but much much easier today. Nowadays only the mass media nand
government bother to say that the lone assassin up in the book depository did it. Thanks for the comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Once again, this edit is about the forward to the chapter, and not the chapter itself. I leave that to your blue pencil posse, who do such a great job.
Sails are normally struck or reefed in preparation for weather. Hatches are battened. The battens are the strips of wood that stiffen the edges of the canvas covers of the hatches.
As a life long sailor, and a bit of a pedant, I notice minutiae like that. Having a career as an aviation QC inspector probably helped as well.
Another great chapter I might add.
I take umbrage at those that say you did a stupid thing. When you have been swimming all your life, at the age you were, you dive in. I too was a water dog, and would have done the same at that age.
Simper fi Jim
Thanks for the support on the swimming thing Tim. Most of the population loves pools, water and beaches but not many are truly
‘water dogs’ as you term us. You are no doubt right about the sailing jargon as I, although an able bodied seaman in the Merchant Marine during
college years, was never much of a real sailor. Almost all my experience through life has been aboard powered craft, and not wind powered.
Thanks for the support.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow you sure are an amazing man !!!
That’s one incredible life you lead
Happy you survived to tell this amazing life story !!!
Can’t wait to see what’s next !! Thank you
Thanks so much Tim for your expression of opinion about me on here. My opinion isn’t quite so high but I smile at your very own.
I will certainly accept the obvious fact that my life has been incredible and remains so. I wonder about God, serendipity and
sometimes just being placed here and there where certain visible crossroads exist. Thanks for the compliment too…
Semper fi,
Jim
Very incriminating evidence hidden in the “frunk” not to Sonny Boy but to Daddy and his cronies ? It couldn’t be retrieved before you were detailed with making the Porsche disappear and now they want you to get whatever it is back ? The irony of this chapter is your saving of the Marine who you later befriend and he responds to this chapter but it’s the awarding of the Navy Marine Corps Medal by that asswipe General who sent you deliberately into that Hell called the A Shau Valley . Nuff said .
The strange irony of Dwyer coming back to the command the base were I was assigned to was shocking, just as my old rotten C.O. in Treasure Island ended up too. Life can
be so surprising. I never charged Dwyer a price for what he did, as I think he barely noticed. It was his Chief os Staff that was royally pissed at my most
appropriate but out of place comment upon arriving in country. Thanks for your usual intelligently thought out comment and thanks for being here all along the way.
Semper fi,
Jim
“Top Medal”?
The Navy Marine Corps Medal is the top medal the naval military awards for non-combat valor. It’s rather uncommon and is sometimes confused
by viewers to the Combat Action ribbon which has the same colors but referred in order and two little vertical line in the center.
The newspaper article made it sound like I’d been awarded the Medal of Honor which bothered me at the time.
Thanks for the inquiry
Great read as usual. Anticipating the next installment. One proofread aster the Saran-Wrap note “ I prepared for what had to come nest”.
Thanks Jim, for the help and the great compliment.
Sempe fi,
Jim
Jim,
It is heart warming seeing you reconnect with another Marine.
The memory of those comrades whom you faced imminent harm or death will stick with you forever.
Semper Fi,
Troy
Yes, and writing of ‘connecting,’ I must admit that I would never have expected or believed the connection that has occurred with readers and vets like you. It has been overwhelmingly relieving and relaxing to experience the kind of commentary you are reading right now on this sight. I have been able to go at the work now with a chapter a week, a track record I could never have equalled before all this came alive and happened. I cannot thank you enough for the support and writing about it all on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
I swear, this is one of the best chapters yet. The imagery is so vivid I feel I’m living it myself. Wow.
Just a couple edit comments:
and never would likely be again – likely never
when he came fully functional – when he became
what had to come nest – next
without beating both of hard – both of us hard
and I thanked god. All my lifesaving training with he scouts – God … the scouts
Oh, and great photo of the newspaper clipping.
Wow, just wow.
Thanks Matt. That was a clipping from the San Clemente Sun Post, as daily of that time. It kind of gave me fits at the time because the headline
made it seem like I was awarded the Medal of Honor, which I was not. Many people don’t read the articles but just look at the headlines. Thanks for the editing help too…and the compliments!
Semper fi,
Jim
My minds picture of that Porche in the basin has had me thinking bad thoughts for the past two chapters that you have finally borne out. Looking forward to seeing how you resolved this not inconsiderable problem. Cobb seems to have been quite the character to have involved in your life. Quite the ballsy move you made to jump in and save that Marines life, especially after Gularte pointed out your condition. Great chapter, Lt.
Thanks Rick. Some vets have written in and kind of castigated me for being stupid. I really did underestimate just how much recovery I had ahead of me with respect to getting over the enormity of the wounds I’d suffered. The “Hawaii” surf kid rose up in me and once you are really a ‘water dog’ like that you see the sea, any sea state, as easily able to work with and through. Only out there, until I spotted Elwell and Bro on the beach diving in, did I think Young and I might make it. I wasn’t sorry at that point. Afraid but but not sorry. I like to think any Marine officer with my swimming, lifesaving training and surf background would have done exactly the same thing. Later, I was quietly surprised that among the entire battalion-sized party on the beach, the Marines there mostly stood looking out to sea instead of diving in. FNG syndrome, once again. It was a rough high surf condition but it wasn’t THAT bad. My opinion only. Top Galant, the 1st Sergeant of the outfit, later contacted me in San Clemente. He was a wonderful man.
Semper fi,
Jim
Helluva great chapter for my birthday present, Jim – many thanks!
Your character, Cobb, intrigues me as much as she did you. What could be her goal, her assignment, and from whom? The woman with a secret, to be sure.
Great work on that water rescue, and the writing of it. Being on the Florida Atlantic coast, I never experienced swimming in such a tough surf. Saw it plenty while at the Point Mugu Missile Test Center, but never tried surfing – that Pacific along there is COLD! Thanks for yet another great reading experience. Semper Fi, my friend.
The water was cold, but back then, I was taking about an hour every morning to run as far as I could on the beach (slow, because of my recovery) and then swim out and mess around beyond the break to cool down before going home, so I was kind of conditioned and ready for the weakening power of colder water on the body. Thanks for the interest and just how close your are following the story.
Semper fi,
Jim
A couple of typos found :
lifesaving training with *he scouts had been done (*the)
to come nest*. Our only hope would (*next)
Helluva job on the rescue, I remember being slammed to the bottom by those waves myself, not only hurting but causing me to lose my breath as well…
Once again it seems as though Cobb knows “things” !!! Hmmm…
What secrets are to be found in the yellow submarine and just how are you going to access the frunk without surfacing it, thus the scuba gear and a plan is forming !!! 😉
Great chapter James,
Semper Fi
Thanks for the help, as usual, SgtBob. Also, the compliments you always give me.
You are among the best and most regular readers I have and it’s such a pleasure to open this site up in the morning and see
your name right there.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Well done Sir, well done! As for the Porsche????? can’t wait for the next chapter. I have heard the a good leader leads his troops into battle, you sure do fit that to a “T”. Semper fi Lt!!
Much appreciate your evaluation of me as a leader. I haven’t always agreed with that but have tried to live it.
Your kind of comment helps keep me going!
Semper fi,
Jim
Ah..the Navy Marine Corps Medal; Ballsy move and luckily the professionals arrive before the rest of those Marine decided to help.
Also very intriguing what Dad would hide in his son’s car and not tell him? Sounds like you are not finding the answer without recovery the car!!
Yes, the medal I might have deserved the most! Highest non-combat decoration for valor, but one almost nobody knows about and among the rarest of all those presented.
So, I was and remain happy about that one and the recontact with Larry Young, the guy I was able to save…eventually with some help.
Thanks for the great comment, as usual.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
My cousin David S. Keith, who was Army Special Forces, received the Soldiers Medal in 1969 for hauling a paratrooper who had fouled his static line back into the C47 transport. He had two tours in Vietnam and like you, felt that the Soldiers Medal was the only one he really deserved. Acts of personal bravery such as those are examples of humanity of the highest order.
Thanks James. I’m not sure how such actions ae generated at the moment for men like your cousin. such actions would not be my last,
as you will read, with plenty of proof. But I never performed them with aforethought. They just seemed to happen. I followed a path, like
with Larry Young, that seemed to be Larry getting further and further into real trouble, then, when I was proven correct, I simply followed the
rest of what seemed so natural.Afterwards, I was as amazed as everyone around me.
Thanks for that great writeup as I work ever deeper into the next chapter this night.
Semper fi,
Jim
All these events occured when I was the same age as the LT. I know this is just a story but it has been woven with threads of historical fact. I have friends who worked in the WH at this time and from the stories I have been told I can imagine that it could all be real.
Thanks Dan, for the comment and I understand your doubts about the veracity of it all.
I am pulling this all from diary entries and memory, not to mention some papers I was able to abscond with.
You have to decide. I write it all as fiction, like my combat series, simply because I want to
be able to live the rest of my life on the outside.
Glad you liked the ‘story’ though.
Semper fi,
Jim
One more thing, Dan. Only last night, coming home from dinner, my wife, who had just read the last two chapters (she seldom reads any of my work), turned and asked: “Did you really sink Mardian’s Porsche?” She was there, at home, at the time. I didn’t answer, not knowing whether to admit or deny the occurrence. I just kept driving and turned the radio on. She turned it off, and then commented: “That was a really shitty thing to do, even if he was crude and a spoiled brat.” I am admitting nothing. My wife has not always approved of my conduct.
Semper fi,
Jim
Perhaps I missed it, but after you left the Ashau, did you ever see the gunny again? Seems like he must have contributed much of what went into your records. Was curious about whether he survived as well.
The Gunny survived, uninjured, and was promoted later to 1st Sergeant. I ran into him in New Mexico, quite by accident in 1984. We talked very very briefly
before making an appointment to get together the following week. He never showed. Went to his house and his wife told me that he could not talk to me.
I left and have never made another attempt to see or talk to him. We all handle combat action, and surviving, in different ways. I didn’t understand then but I sure as
hell do today.
Semper fi, hope that helps.
Jim
I have read each book in the series as they were released and eagerly await each chapter. Yours on hell of a story.
No wonder your last name is Prince. Thanks so much for your heartfelt compliment and your faithful support, and for
writing about that on this site. That compliment at the end of your comment was and is great.
Semper fi,
Jim
I am amazed at the sticky situations you were caught up in. You seem to have a Forrest Gump like ability to be involved in so many of the events that changed our world. I can’t wait for the movie and I certainly eagerly await the next chapter. Thank you for sharing your story
John Smith, your books are in the mail and on the way. Thanks for getting the whole set and having the books specially inscribed.
I hope my penmanship was up to the task! Hollywood hasn’t called! I don’t expect the call. Most of what I write is simply
not credible for eighty percent of the public, or more…and from experience there, I know Hollywood has very few veteran writers
or producers.But I certainly thank you for the compliment!
Semper fi, and hope you enjoy the books.
Jim
They likely believed they that I knew something they needed to know. Drop the second they.
Thanks Michael for the help!
Semper fi,
Jim
What a chapter! what is in the frunk? The picture of ted Cruz father pulling the trigger on the Grassy KnoLL?
The sales technique you’re describing is known as “the silent close” or using silence strategically in sales. It’s based on the idea that in a negotiation or sales pitch, the person who breaks the silence first is often the one who is more eager to make a deal or compromise. This technique can create a sense of discomfort or pressure on the other party, encouraging them to speak or make a decision. It can be effective because it puts the onus on the potential buyer to respond or take action, potentially leading to a sale.
However, it’s important to use this technique carefully and ethically, as prolonged silence can also backfire and create a negative impression if it’s perceived as manipulative or overly aggressive. It’s essential to strike the right balance and ensure that both parties feel comfortable during the negotiation process.
I learned it in OCS on how to get PLATOON members to talk. Has served me well in life and as a father. lol
your BRAVE BUT STUPID and successful RESCUE ATTEMPT reminded me of how you got your Navy Cross.
I was good swimmer as A KID – MOSTLY in pools and Lake Michigan both in Chicago and Wisconsin. I got the Red Cross WSI in between my junior and senior years of highschool and was a lifeguard at he local Y. I college I was a lifeguard at Several pools where one could study, check out chicks, and earn good $.
One summer I cam home to taker two course at Loyola nights to lighten my load doting football season, and worked as a life guard at Oak street beach. Lake Michigan could be a bitch- saving people was dangerous sometimes due to undertows, high waves , really cold water and teenage stupidity.
I know that party beach neat San Onofre often attended midnight mass there. The Pacific is an unforgiving master- you are lucky to be alive. Don’t think I would have made it Congrats on doing the hero thing. It will be interesting to see the next chapter. We all know your a survived. Thank God you did. Ever wonder why some people cross paths later in life like we did? I know divine intervention is involved
Thank you Rich, you are master at laying out detail to supplement what I write, and many times (but not all) support it.
Great explanation of the power of silence, as well as admission that the sea state would not be truly survivable to so
many, even decent, swimmers. Pounding surf over inshore holes is deadly and many times invisible and overlooked.
Thanks for the great compliment of your writing on here and your steadfast support of me as a friend.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT What in the HELL is the matter with you? That was the most heroic and STUPID thing to do!!! You are just proving how correct one of my favorite sayings is. “Navy Hospital Corpsmen-The Marine Corps adult leadership!” If this wasn’t a public forum I’d give you the butt chewing you deserve!! Well done Marine!
Taking care of Marines as an officer is taught but not drilled into officers as deeply sa it should be.
I got the message, and proved it by chewing out General Dwyer to his face in country…which almost got me
killed. Funny that that same general worked out daily with me at Camp Pendleton and then decorated me at
parades several times! He never remembered and I never reminded him. I did look at him on occasion
in a funny way, wondering if he should still be on the planet a few times. Twice he asked if we knew
each other form earlier commands and I said no.
Thanks for the apropos comment, but I really had no choice, the way I saw it at the time.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT one of the indicators of a good leader is how much they care for their troops and you show that in spades. I do understand that you had no real choice in the matter. I was not so much mad at you as I was scared for you (even thought you obviously lived to tell about it). That’s how good your writing is!! I do still think if it weren’t for us Corpsmen the Marine Corps would self-destruct in about one generation! The worst thing a Corpsman can hear is one or more of his Marines saying “I’m bored!”. He know he is about to get busy. I liked the picture of you and your beautiful wife and pretty daughter. As I said before Bravo Zulu Marine Well done!
Thanks a lot Terry Novak, much appreciate the way you laid out your support and understanding.
The picture of my wife and daughter was repeated a few times during those days of turbulence.
I have been getting a lot of support, and the photo from the San Clemente Sun Post is part of that,
from some of the people who were involved. Many are gone now but many are still around and I can’t tell
you how good it is to see them comment here…and not tell me that I’m just full of it. They knew and know
better. I like how careful some of the have been about commenting here though!
Semper fi, and thanks a lot.
Jim
I watched on the news of the two guys drowning from the undertow and it brought back the memories from so long ago.
I received the books, oh-man am I excited to read them. Is there a sequence I should follow?
Semper Fi Marine.
Just when I think it could not be any more exciting, you go over the top Lt..I have to admit that I do nothing but wait for the next thrilling chapter of this story. It does take me back to the Nam on certain things .I served with the 1stBn 9th Marines at Khe Sanh in 6768 thru the entire 77 days then moved to A Shau . It was a wild ride we had. Hang tough and keep moving, I will be here the entire way Lt..
Good God, you made it through the 77 and then the A Shau after that, and not far from the time period I was there.
Wellcome home, and welcome to the very select and special world of PTSD! You, will be along for the whole ride and I love
you saying that. So many of our brothers who came on through could not make the substantial and painful transition back
to the ‘world.’ Thank you for being here for and with me…in the background but here.
Semper fi, my brother and friend,
Jim
Larry Young, THE Larry Young from the chapter. Formerly a Lance Corporal and then a sergeant. It was my pleasure and good fortune to be a part of your good fortune on that day so long ago.
Riskier than I thought it would be but certainly worth the effort since you turned out to be such a good Marine and class act as human being.
Semper fi, my own friend.
Lieutenant James Strauss
Thanks for responding to the reading of this chapter Larry, as you were the subject of the rescue. It was my pleasure, in reality, as you became a sergeant and then an
exemplary human being.
Semper fi,
Jim
WOW! You are so lucky to be alive at least the 2nd time or more if you include those who tried to kill you in Nam. So glad nobody was completely successful.
A couple of minor errors but who cares. The other readers will tell you.
I have been a fairly silent witness through all your many shared books of wonderful stories but totally enjoying all of them. I had the boring task as Assistant Chemical Officer of picking Agent Orange targets for IFORCEV under LT General Piers (spelling?) to be flown by the South Vietnamese Vice President and his Cowboy flyers wearing US Chemical Corps scarfs for a year arriving soon after Tet. Also got Pentagon permission for the South Korean Army to be trained and able to use the “sniffers” in their operations.
Thanks for your truly sacrificial service for our country! Hope you have many, many more years.
Henry, you sure as hell seemed to serve at a very interesting time and in interesting jobs wherein you got to learn a whole
lot more about the war than those of us were able to down in that valley. Thanks for being ‘up there’ and doing your damndest
to try to help us in our contained lower level of hell. Appreciate the extensive and informative comment…and your wishes
and thans at the end.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT, thanks again for another great read! Great job on the rescue!
Don’t think I would have made it without Bro and Elwell showing up like they did. They were out of area too
and all of us got in mixed troubles for doing what we did. The saving of the corporal, to the local authorities became
only conjectural while our violation of territorial regulations were apparent and very real.
Thanks for the comment and the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow. Just wow. When I think the plot can’t twist more, there you go. I enjoy your very descriptive style of writing, and will definitely get the hard copies. Reading this in cliff-hanger installments is exciting, but rather a bit like eating one bite of a delectable dessert and then putting it away for a few days.
I did get all three of Thirty Days and will grab these as well when available. Thank you.
USN 1970-76.
Thanks of very much for coming on here to write what you wrote in your comment. The lengthy compliment reached accommodating ears with great smile
just a few seconds ago, as I go to work on the next chapter. You help keep me going with your support and commentary…
Semper fi,
Jim
Chapter 48
James, The Porsche thing has taken a new tack that caught me by surprise. Maybe a “Hey June your yacht probably sustained damage to the hull when it grounded. I suggest you have it hauled out of the water and inspected.” If we’re lucky it might snag something below the ramp. If so, everyone is happy and no blame.
What a contrast between the fear of powerful people and their unknown agendas – and the struggle with the primal force of the ocean that can really kill you. It seems the latter could be preferable. At least it has an end. …and in this case you made it home.
This chapter ends with Richard teaming with Gularte for the rest of the shift. Depending on what Richard knows about the Porsche this could get tense.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
the sales technique using silence as a power tool
Maybe add “of” before “using”
the sales technique of using silence as a power tool
They likely believed they that I knew something
“they” after “believed” is extra. Drop
They likely believed that I knew something
pecking around and looking for scrap
Maybe “scraps” instead of “scrap”
pecking around and looking for scraps
I knew she was way out of my league in whatever game was being played
/Stated that way it usually means she is lower in status./
Maybe flip it
I knew I was way out of her league in whatever game was being played
She smoked her cigarette once again, Richard between us, sitting still and straight, like a cigar store Indian.
/However in Chapter 47 we read: “I took a seat on the other side of her from where Richard sat.”
Suggest rewrite of sentence.
Maybe “beside” instead of “between”
She smoked her cigarette once again, Richard beside us, sitting still and straight, like a cigar store Indian.
I had entered the vehicle… and then gone around to pull the handle releasing the hand brake.
/However in Chapter 46 you instructed Gularte to release the e-brake/
“The emergency brake is on your side,” I went on
“Release the brake and step back.”
Gularte leaned into his side of the vehicle, and I heard a clicking sound before the Porsche started moving.
Suggest rewrite of sentence.
Neither Gularte nor I had entered the vehicle for search purposes. I’d leaned in to replace the eight-track tape on the passenger side and Gularte had leaned in to pull the handle releasing the hand brake.
Little Mardian being interested in anything accept his new Ferrari
“except” instead of “accept”
Little Mardian being interested in anything except his new Ferrari
wide-eyed. penetrating look of a caged tiger
Extra period after “wide-eyed”
wide-eyed penetrating look of a caged tiger
coolest looking cop I’ve ever seen, and that’s without he glasses
“the” instead of “he” before “glasses:
coolest looking cop I’ve ever seen, and that’s without the glasses
“Hand me the Leica’s,”
No apostrophe
“Hand me the Leicas,”
Look at yourself, your still wearing bandages from that Gates thing
“you’re” instead of “your”
Look at yourself, you’re still wearing bandages from that Gates thing
BSA lifeguard from the boy scouts
Maybe capitalize
BSA lifeguard from the Boy Scouts
“T” shirt he was wearing, and I thanked god
Capitalize
“T” shirt he was wearing, and I thanked God
All my lifesaving training with he scouts
“the” instead of “he”
All my lifesaving training with the scouts
beating both of hard down on the bottom
Add “us” after “of”
beating both of us hard down on the bottom
I prepared for what had to come nest
“next” instead of “nest”
I prepared for what had to come next
pulling the Marine and I behind them
“me” rather than “I”
pulling the Marine and me behind them
swam right over the top of breaking swell
Maybe add “a” before “breaking”
swam right over the top of a breaking swell
I was able to crawl up to the dryer sand
“drier” instead of “dryer”
I was able to crawl up to the drier sand
Blessings & Be Well
It’s hard to catch someone as professional and ‘jaded’ as you are DanC!!! That’s one of your indirect compliments that directly scored on me.
Thanks as usual for the very intelligent and cogent changes you ‘recommend’ that we treat like orders.
Much much appreciated, especially when they come with such compliments.
Semper fi
Jim
I have been anxiously looking around for a new chapter, and I was glad I found it.
Lot of excitement in this chapter!
And more intrigue…!
–What IS in the frunk? (Not a body…not lots of cash…can’t imagine what little Mardian would have of importance that he would put in the frunk of an unlocked car)
–How DOES the Cobb woman know so much?
–WHY was Richard so strangely quiet?
Sound like somebody is gonna do some night SCUBA-ing for a funky frunk check?
Thanks Walter Duke! You are precise and accurate in your questioning and you will be responded to in the next chapter.
That your compliments are also so well worded, almost made to sound that they are products of actuality instead of your own
opinion. That is nice, and clever, as you most certainly are!
Thanks my friend
Semper fi,
Jim