Craig and I rode in his 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible. He’d driven in and picked me up outside my apartment, as he lived at the bachelor officer’s quarters on the base. We didn’t drive from there in silence, but we drove without talking. The Bonneville’s convertible top no longer functioned so the wind noise was all we had for company, and since Jackman drove at some ungodly speed on the freeway (the speedometer was also nonfunctional) that meant we couldn’t talk at all once he raced through the three manual gears to get to higher rpm as quickly as possible, which was pretty quick in the giant, but fast and nimble, convertible. For some reason, Craig spent hundreds of dollars to put three two-barrel carburetors on the big V8 engine. We headed back to the base, passing the exit at Las Pulgas and blasting right on down the coast to the main entrance to Camp Pendleton. The spray, generated by big surf waves encountering the shore beneath the cliff that paralleled the nearby highway, made seeing through the windshield problematic, not that the problem seemed to bother Craig. I wondered if the Bonneville’s windshield wipers even worked, or maybe Craig’s coke bottle thick eyeglasses were more helpful to his seeing than my own vision was for me.
Craig pulled the car into a big parking lot. I realized we were in front of the base theater.
Gary Lockwood, who played astronaut Frank Poole in 2001: A Space Odyssey, previously stared in the TV series: The Lieutenant which ran from 1963 – 1964. He played a Marine lieutenant stationed at Camp Pendelton.
Yes, I watched that series. Damn shame that they didn’t have better Marine advisors.
semper fi,
Jim
Lightening Bolt got grounded !!!! I love it 🙂
Another cliff hanger chapter ever since book 1 chapter 1, but good grief what have you gotten yourself into now Jim !!
SEMPER Fi
I would remain afraid of that particular Colonel and I was right to be. He wasn’t done with me just yet.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks James! Now I’m gong to be late to pick up Thanksgiving groceries. I shouldn’t have started reading this chapter but then I couldn’t stop. I just love how you got the best of the Colonel!! Since I’m a DUSTOFF medic, tell him not to call me cause I really hate treating the enemy!! Hahahaha
Thanks for the compliment so well written Cary,
Much appreciated.
Semper fi,
Jim
Haldeman, he’s was a nut case.
Amazing and confusing number of talents and downsides to that guy.
He didn’t like me but respected me in equal amounts. A mystery man
for certain.
Semper fi,
Jim
I don’t touch e-mail or “computer” above I-pad level, did read 43 words on chapter 1 of TCL and am shooting blanks; patience as a virtue will penetrate by osmosis upcoming segments; the comments of others are interesting, a large void filled since 30 Days-
Thanks Larry for coming on here to say what you just said. Much appreciate the straight from the shoulder
opinion, as well as compliment of you being here!
Semper fi, and Happy Thanksgiving,
Jim
James, LT, Junior You Sir had me breathing and palpating as much as Your accounting of The A Shau. Man !!!!!! I used to tell people that they wouldn’t believe half the stuff from my service, but Your story is incredible. I had a Brother-in-law (deceased) that gathered me up on my return and took me to see Apocalypses Now. Insisted on sitting up front. Did not do me any favors. I’m Honored to be a subscriber to Your writings. They have in a way helped me. I also held high clearance and underwent FBI noses. Long story. God Bless You and the Work of Your Hands. Have a Peaceful and Blessed Thanksgiving. No Turkey Loaf C-Rat
Thanks George, not only for the compliments but in putting some of your own story up on here for all to read too.
Really appreciate the thought and consideration.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Semper fi,
Jim
James, reading your description of lighting bolt and many others that had the same outlook. Going back to Thirty Days the General and Colonel you encountered on your first night in country. Did you come across them state side? Good read once again. Thanks William
The General was the division commander on Pentleton when I got home. He
didn’t remember me, which is understandable and although we worked out
at the same weight club and occasionally saw each other at the O Club
I never spoke to him about any of what happened.
Semper fi,
Jim
WOW just WOW
Thanks so much christopher for that that great compliment…shot but impactful….
Semper fi,
Jim
Damn! What a life! And well told. 🇺🇸
Thanks Mike. Yes, I somehow had a talent for being dropped right into the
middle of battlefields, even after I got home. Life is about to get interesting
in Book II, first chapter to hit later today, as down the line here we are
marching straight into the Watergate nightmare.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, Your escape from Lightning Bolt was smoother than I expected. Craig may regret the deal he made to leave the battery. Also interesting is the insight you gained from the movie ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’.
“Need to know” meant the people who could benefit from the intel in real time did not have sufficient clearance to be given it.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
so the wind noise was all we had for the company,
“the” before “company” seems extra
so the wind noise was all we had for company,
“You’ve been certified with Top Secret classification,” he said without emotion or follow-up.
“Yes,” I replied, not sure I had anything else to say about being selected out of the group for the ‘honor,’ or what it might mean.
OK …But in previous chapter the Colonel told you “That’s the registered publications school,” he said, “so you can move from secret to top-secret clearance,”
“Yes, sir,” I replied, my head spinning. Top secret was a rare classification unless there was some need for the designation.
So you already knew you were going to receive a TS clearance.
The surprise for me was: “and one that was certified without the usual lengthy background investigation the FBI normally conducted.”
the major nearly lived his days way at the Officer’s Club
Maybe “away” instead of “way”
the major nearly lived his days away at the Officer’s Club
Reality came crashing back to
Maye “too” instead of “to”
Reality came crashing back too
My little adjudication officer, the one who helped me serve out my last days
Present tense seems better
Maybe substitute “helping” for “who helped”
My little adjudication officer, the one helping me serve out my last days
the desk, it’s World War One vintage gray rubber surface
Maybe World War Two. (My guess is it had rounded corners.)
“its” not “it’s”
the desk, its World War Two vintage gray rubber surface
commanding officer had also received orders and I was not reveal anything in my orders to him.
maybe add “to” before “reveal”
commanding officer had also received orders and I was not to reveal anything in my orders to him.
I just don’t understand the following sentence:
I might have been able to get a peek at the orders which had been delivered to my Lightning Bolt under separate cover, referred to in my orders but not revealing anything of their content.
“peek” and “reveal” are contradictory.
Maybe something like, “My orders gave me an insight into the orders which had been delivered to my Lightning Bolt under separate cover while still not revealing anything of their content.”
would accept any document that were not impeccably inscribed and signed by a qualified officer.
Change “were” to “was” “any” is singular
would accept any document that was not impeccably inscribed and signed by a qualified officer.
Whomever was driving this situation
Better “Whoever” as its a subject – not an object.
Whoever was driving this situation
I had not known Fennessey for long enough
The “for” before “long” is sort of extra
I had not known Fennessey long enough
I turned to look at the Captain Merrill and the Sergeant Major.
“the” before “Captain” seems extra
I turned to look at Captain Merrill and the Sergeant Major.
commanding general who signed his order
Maybe “orders” instead of “order”
commanding general who signed his orders
The colonel should know better,
I believe in this case “colonel” should be capitalized since it refers to a specific individual.
The Colonel should know better,
visible near the horizon, to my West.
I’m thinking in this case “West” should be lower case as it’s a direction rather than a location.
visible near the horizon, to my west.
I drove to the arch, which had been converted a few meters into a gate.
I don’t understand the “a few meters”. Maybe just delete that?
I drove to the arch, which had been converted into a gate.
Proceed down the road, and through the gate there.
I’m unsure whether or not you went “through” or “to” the second arch/gate.
It seems as if you stopped there rather than proceeding through it.
Marine’s description of a second gate was, in reality, was at the second arch.
Maybe skip “was at”
Marine’s description of a second gate was, in reality, the second arch.
“Do I report back to the Camp Pendleton at all?”
“the” before “Camp” seems extra
“Do I report back to Camp Pendleton at all?”
The adventure continues with Book Two of The Cowardly Lion.
Blessings & Be Well
Wow, what a wonderful job you do DanC. I don’t have too many supporters like you, that really put their backs into it and get the job done. You, Jim Flynn, Jim Homan and a few more.
Thanks fo much for doing the hard job of editing and doing such a wonder of a job of it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Great story, LT. Loving every word of it.
Thanks a lot Arn and have a great Thanksgiving.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Did you mean Brig instead of Stockade, while talking to Lightening Bolt about the orders? I remember Nixon’s Western White House well. I worked in San Clemente during the middle seventies. H.R. Haldeman was one of the USC “Whizz Kids” that Nixon hired. He finally got what he deserved, 18 months in prison! He was in the Navy Reserves in WW II. Can’t wait for the next installment! Semper Fi!
Thanks for the editorial help Jim, segments are getting a bit more regular now.
Semper fi, and Happy Thanksgiving.
JIm
Jim, up until this chapter, you were on a pretty good roll, now you’ve had a runin with the asshole Col and were almost immediately removed from his reach. HR Halderman, WOW, maybe woe is you!
Yes, Haldeman was sort of another model of Lightning Bolt, without the nickname.
He was commonly referred to as ‘Flat top” or ‘VMaggot’ where the ‘V’ meant vertical.
Times they are changing, as the song went.
Semper fi,
Jim
Count me among the hooked, as I have been since the beginning of 30 Days. Once again, thank you.
thanks for very much for the compliment Tim, much appreciated.
Semper fi and thanks for ‘staying the course,’ so to speak, or write.
Jim
A charmed life Lt. Walking into this new job as you did. I loved the description of your last contact with the old boss also. It makes me wish I had been there to see him explode.
A great story and a fantastic life.
w3ski
Charmed, does not quiet describe it…but I’ll accept that. Many of the mysteries of why things happened the way they did
will be cleared up as the adventure of the Cowardly Lion series continues.
Semper fi,
Jim
Unbelievable but believable. Politics and the military! What have you gotten into James? Or do you have a double O number in the next chapter!?
Well, Charles, you will have to read along on that one. It was a wild time, and that was for certain,
as I ended up heading right into the most nightmarish ending of any presidential period in the nation’s history.
From the depths of the A Shau to the beaches of the Western White House. Something else. You might be able to
understand why I had to write the Cowardly Lion after Thirty Days.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow. Waiting impatiently for the next installment. Just great.
thanks for the compliment and making a comment here…
Semper fi,
Jim
I recently read an article about the quality of an author. The gist of it was that the words seen by the eyes instantly become a movie in the mind. You have done and continue to create excellent movies . Thank you for showing me the era that I spent much of my life during .
Chrly
Now Charles, my head is swelling. Much enjoy the reading and re-reading of that compliment.
Neat stuff. Thanks so very much.
Semper fi,
Jim
Obviously you have guardian angels! Well deserved sir and about time!
Those angels have been ever there, although not always bringing a comforting landing to some of these
wild and crazy adventures. thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
ha … I recall that name H.R. Haldeman
Yes, he was the most powerful person in executive government, other than the president, when
i was serving under him.
AS the chief of police stated, he was a real first class prick.
Semper fi,
Jim
HUMMM If my memory is correct maybe not the best company JR. ?
Too true, Harold. Thanks for the astute comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
A good read! Thanks. I was hoping you’d have given Lighting Bolt a stroke with you refusing to show him your new orders.
Never saw that total prick again, although there were a lot of officers back in the rear with the gear who were like him.
Semper fi,
Jim
HHMMmmm~~ at that point I might have said “Oh shit~~ I quit”
I was close to being evicted from our apartment, and I had my wife and Julie to consider. There was no way
I was going to quit. My greatest mission was to keep from killing anyone who was a threat to them, and that was very hard,
but necessary as they would have lost me if I’d given in to the tools, procedures and operations I’d learned in the Nam. There sas no ‘quit’ in me.
Semper fi,
Jim
Great chapter. Look forward to the next book.
And so, begins another part of the journey of your odyssey. Your proofreaders will likely make some changes to help the clarity and flow. Fascinating as usual, James. Your nemesis, Lighting Bolt, has satisfaction snatched out of his grasp by much higher powers. Schadenfreude!
Wow, seems like they added some corkscrews to your roller coaster ride. Fantastic read LT, thank you!!
As always sir, Powerful…. peace…
Thanks ever so much James.
Semper fi,
Jim
L don’t know how you can continue your story from here without going to jail. I had secret clearance back in the 60’s and still don’t know what I can talk about, so I just don’t. Thank you for another chapter.
Really not too concerned. ~~smile
Been through the mill.
Semper fi, Jim
As usual with every chapter you write, you leave the reader wanting more. I think that is the hallmark of a great writer. I too, am looking forward to more of the story!
Thanks so much Bob, much appreciate the loyalty and the commpliment.
Semper fi,
JIm
WOW! What a concluding chapter – and making us all yearn for the following book.
You wrote one thing that helps me immensely: “the deaths of those about me, whether in combat or after, like my brother, were not mine to take personally. Those deaths belonged to the dead. They were not burdens for me to carry, no matter how involved I believed I might have been in affecting them.”
You have made me recognize a burden I have been carrying for 55 years. Wish I had known this truism 55 years ago.
Craig, I am so happy that you wrote me about this. Knowing that helps me a lot, as sometimes this writing seems like I am writing it out into the night.
Thanks for that and the compliments, as well.
Semper fi,
Jim
I wasn’t expecting that! Regular Army, ’71-’74. Army Security Agency, and I spent all my time in tri-service installations, through my final year at NSA. The Marines I worked with were all part of Naval Security Group. I went through the full FBI background check.
The next book will be interesting! Keep up the good work!
Was there something wrong with my post?
NOt a thing! I just went back and read it. I don’t know how it got to be unanswered and sitting alone in a file.
My apologies. Your comments are most appreciated and welcome here at any time.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks, Lt! You had me worried for a moment!
Now that your history has moved into the intel area, I’m even more fascinated!
Clay
The first chapter of the second book will be up today, and yes, life very definitely moved into the intelligence area. Watergate is still two
years out, and I was there for that too, but the origins for the Watergate affair began earlier, with Nixon’s association with some bad
characters. If the strict times of that era were like those of the Trump era today, however, the Watergate scandal wouldn’t have been a scandal, in fact it wouldn’t even have been noticed.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks Clay, as I write through the second chapter of the second book in the series.
thanks for some of your own background too….
Semper fi,
JIm
Holy crap!
Many twists and turns as the plot thickens. Pleased ole ‘Lightning Bolt’ got apoplexy. Hope H. R. turns out to have some personality.
San Clemente. The Western White House. Truly awesome.
Fantastic! What a couple great twists. Will be waiting for books two and three. The 30 Days series was addictive because of the shared experiences, I looked forward to the Cowardly Lyon because my departure from my unit (10/68) was like yours sudden – through Japan and then back home to a young wife, and new daughter. My return to home was much much easier – naval hospital staff were compassionate and caring. While waiting for separation was also assigned to Camp Pendleton (Edson Range). But never encountered the publics misplaced anger for having served. But sure from here on out the difference in our paths will grow greater and greater.
Think I’m going to have to watch 2001 again.
Semper fi!
Thanks Bob, Jackman was a treasure trove of a wounded veteran and great to have him as a wingman
when I got to Pendleton. Thanks for the compliments and your great opinions, as well.
Semper fi,
Jim
>Fantastic Chapter!
I found it interesting the mention of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible. I had one prior to moving to San Clemente in 1969.
Wow! Now you are a mystery writer! Your exquisite details about what is around you are remarkably realistic and a clear mental picture of the surroundings… Will be looking forward to reading more… Just like your other works…
Interesting change of things it sounds. I look forward to more.
Maybe some day you will believe what you said about “2001 Space Odessy”!
Also, all of us who came back from combat as confused individuals seemed to me have died and ended up in mystical purgatory…..trying to to go forward with past responsibilities within a different matrix!
Well done!
Homan, like always, can’t you just say something direct and outright? I feel like I’m playing
in some role of a guy (Nicolson) in a nuthouse sitting next to the Indian, who happens to be you.
Semper fi,
My friend,
Jim
Awesome
lighting bolt
shit head
You are the class act I came to know so much better at the Marine Ball this year.
What a wonderful guy you are and I cannot thank you enough for taking to me and talking to
me through the evening. Yes, Lightning Bolt was awful, but there were a lot of awful officers
swerving back then. You were definitely not one of them. Thank you for befriending me.
Semper fi,
Jim
Holy Crap LT, to quote Gomer Pyle, “surprise, surprise, surprise”! Fantastic Chapter!
Yes, Joe, it was those kinds of times. Every hour of every day held the craziest of surprises.
Semper fi,
Jim
Hey Jim, another good read as always. I did notice a small error… In the paragraph that starts with, “I stood at attention”. You commented that you saluted. You were indoors and therefore uncovered…
Thanks again. Glad to see you are back at it..
Semper Fidelis
Thanks for the help, and I took that out, Tim. Much appreciate the assistance and picking up the errors. Hard fo rme to re-read and see sometimes.
Semper fi,
Jim
OK , so now I am really hooked and will have a major difficulty in waiting for the next part of your life adventure Lt.. The suspence is going to be hard to maintain control with this one !
I should finish the first chapter of Book II this night and get it up in a hurry so the guys, like you, will not assume that the continuation will not be something extended at all.
thanks for the support and fact that you are ‘hooked’. Big compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim