In the morning I got up early. My Marine green alpha uniform was all laid out in the other bedroom, the other bedroom that wasn’t Julie’s. All that was missing was the rows of ribbons I’d removed after being on the base over a month in the past. I went back into my closet to get those ribbons, all assembled by an outfit that visited the base and did such work for less than twenty bucks.
I pinned the medal representations to the blouse (as Marine Corps coats or jackets are correctly called). Thirteen ribbons were all put together, with the rows of four and one ribbon in the center at the top. Six of the ribbons represented medals for valor, which was why the Chief had likened me to Audie Murphy. Six combat valor medals were a lot, plus the Combat Action Ribbon for just being in combat. The two expert crossed weapon medals in silver, hung from little silver bars under the ribbons. Two little crossed .45 Colts and two crossed M-1 rifles. I’d finally received my promotion to First Lieutenant in the mail, along with a set of silver bars. I pinned those on, glad to finally get rid of the ‘butter bars’ in brass or gold color. If there were other Marines at the place Gularte and I were going it was very likely I would be the most highly decorated. Usually, I didn’t like that but this time it was mission related and that made me feel better. I knew that I would never come to like the medals. I hadn’t done the things that were written in the citations that accompanied the awards, although I’d done other things not mentioned. For the first, and quite last, time I’d been awarded them the decorations were finally being put to good use.
The Chapters have always been the right length, but I swear they seem to be getting shorter as this episode goes on. No, they aren’t shorter. It drags on my mind, wondering what could possibly happen next. I know you will get us there. Like I have said before, you are a great mystery writer.
Rick, the chapters remain pretty much the same in length, although, in truth, I don’t count the pages or words when I submit
to Chuck to get it up, which will be tomorrow. I’ve been pretty consistent lately, putting up a chapter a week because the
story is that intensively complex and my memory works best when it all runs continuously. Thanks for the great compliment and
all the attention you are paying to the story.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim , as always another fascinating chapter ! I could care less anymore about the mistakes in grammar , I just sit spellbound as I read each chapter trying to find little clues to solve the mystery that you have laid out in front of us . And please extend my apologies to your wife as I neglected to say hello at the end of our conversation the other day . ESSAYONS !
Thanks Chuck, my plesure to send the book. Long inscription but I could handle it! You are a great man and it is my pleasure to consider you a
real friend. Thank you for that.
Semper fi,
Jim
A few editing items I noticed this time as listed below…
there was {half a. } * ??? I recognized some from the police lot
whether anybody thee {the}* indicated they wanted it or not
I wanted {to}*the grab the files and immediately go through them,
bunch of trainee rookies I was working with. {I wondered how many nicknames I’d accumulate s I went into my older years.} Repeated *
“Close the door Shawna, and lock it,” I instructed, turning back to look at Hoodoo. “You {want to fill him in?”>}* Remove > *
White foam on the lips has nothing to do with the ocean as your group of dwarfs has just been informed !! Now go see the man ?? Doesn’t sound good 😉
Keep on James, can’t wait for the next chapter !!
SEMPER Fi
Thanks for the suggestions. Corrected
Jim
You never cease to amaze me with your attention to detail. I have followed you since day one, and you are able to help us visualize, smell, see and feel so much of what you experienced. I understand that much of the combat experiences, smells and sounds can never be truly understood by the layman, but you keep us riveted and hungry for more. Thank you for bearing your soul to us with such transparency. The new incarnation of JR. to Snow White continues to keep us mesmerized and full of questions. The insights to this time in history and the “characters” that drove it is interesting and scary all at the same time. Keep it coming, and thanks!
John, nobody I know of gets reviews like that. Would you mind putting that up on Amazon, as they won’t let me…
or hell, send it to West Point or the Naval Academy, not that they will tell young men going to war what they
can expect in combat or after…if they live, which isn’t really likely.
Thanks you from way down there…l
Semper fi,
Jim
I would be honored.
Thanks, John, I really appreciate you letting me use your most wonderful comment.
Thanks for the great compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Going to bed now after reading this and will go over the whole chapter and wonder where its taking you,thanx again for a suspensful story that just keeps on giving Sir.
Appreciate the depth of your interest Ron! Generally, what I write in almost any genre isn’t what most would consider bedtime
reading. Thanks for the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
First Congrats on the promotion. Second The “amateur mistakes”, bodies in the wrong place and foam where there shouldn’t be any, on top of which the Western White house is aware of where you are and they have better surveillance abilities than you thought, just add credence to my idea that you are being given a puzzle to work on just to keep you away from something else. Again another riveting chapter!
Thanks Terry, for the depth of your comment, and also the deep though expressed.
Uncommon. Much appreciate the compliment of your commenting here…
Semper fi,
Jim
“Uniform, you got it ready to go?” I asked, hoping he did but knowing it wasn’t really required. I just didn’t want to be the only phony ‘observer’ penetrating base security or any ongoing investigation. for?
Greens were working uniforms but blues were generally not unless is a color guard so something like that. it’s?
There should have been one or two for the guards on late duty but there was half a ……. dozen?
“It’s the one distinctive thing
I noticed, but I’m not a doctor, much less someone experienced in performing autopsies.”
I’ve enjoyed reading the 30 Days…. As well as Cowardly Lion. Thought I should earn my keep by providing editorial support. Takes me back to my days as a young lieutenant, albeit 15 years after you. Assigned to 2/11 at Pulgas. All the places are very familiar to me. Thanks for your service. Semper Fi..
Thanks for the help Joel and the rest of your commentary, as well.
A compliment, the fact that you take so much trouble, and a compliment well received.
Thank you.
Semper fi
Jim
I suspect the families of those Marines will be pushing for answers and letters to Congressman cause problems! Today you could be Snow White with the Shore Report..
S/F
HOMAN
Homan, Colonel, Guardian of the skys and more, what are you getting at? the Marines were black guys from poor areas of the country.
Write to Congress men? You’ve got to be kidding me, for the times…
Semper fi,
Jim
Loving the Cowardly Lion James! Great characters and a captivating story all around. As someone who considers 30 Days to be one of, if not the best, account of the reality of combat I’ve ever read, will we ever know who survived the Valley? Particularly Gunny? Without giving too much away?
Dear Jack, you will know everything as this odyssey goes on. Thanks for being the loyal friend that you are and have been.
Semper fi,
Jim
It’s been a long time since I was a Cub Scout but I’m pretty sure it really is “Webelos” without the apostrophe. It means something like “We’ll be Loyal Scouts”, as I remember.
You are most correct Matt. Thanks for the correction.
Semper fi,
Jim
Our wifes never cut us no slack over our weight do they? The books thirty days was a long time to carry your memories. Did you ever tell anyone your time in the valley? I wonder if the bikers that laughed at your gimp leg knew what they were messing with,and i hope Pat has read your books. How do they award medals as it seems like most of the ones seeing it died before telling it.Always looking forward to the next installment
Lots of stuff there, that you comment on, Joel. The bikers had no clue, but then, whom would. Real combat veterans re extremely rare, especially when you consider how few come back able to discuss any of it at all, much less react with aggressive vigor.
thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Great read.
30 days brought back memories long suppressed and now continuing with the Cowardly Lion. I was transfixed by the Watergate hearings @ the time. keep it up. I eagerly await each chapter.
Thanks Phil, and Watergate really does begin to play a role in what happens to everyone connected to the Western White House.
Thanks for the cogent comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Spellbinding web you weave James. Hopefully you get to the bottom of what happened to those 3 Marines.
Thanks Chuck, I remained then what I’ve become now, a tattered but driven man who has no quit, but not always driven in
the right direction. Thanks for your usual penetrating comment and the care that comes with it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Some one knew something maybe?
Harold, the ‘someone knew something’ is always there, and in playing the seemingly low stakes unimportant role I happened into,
I was actually playing for everything…but not really understanding it at all. Thanks for the perceptive comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Whoa, there be a rat in the kitchen some where, or I’m miss reading this. The call to “see the man” does not sound good. What the Western W.H. knows is , it seems, about to come out and Snow White and the 7 Dwarf’s are about to be eaten by the Big Bad Wolf! Hopefully it’s not hungry at the moment!! Will wait impatiently to find out!! Semper fi Sir!
The White House staff were hard ball players and it was tough to accept the fact that I was even on the field of play,
much less that I was playing without a glove.
Thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
really very descriptive
you capture the nuance of peoples expressions and body language
and you also demonstrate the trait of a truly great leader, and that is knowing what you don’t know, and letting someone who does take command
Richard Brayer, class act.
Thanks for piping in again, my friend.
Perceptive, as usual.
Semper fi,
JIm
Big alligators in this water. The compound knows where you at at all times thanks to possibly two people at the table. Tread water carefully with this group.
Now we need to know what happened when command found out you company had been destroyed in the valley. How long before rescue arrived?
What did command do or say about that event? How and when did you get awarded the metals? You know as well as I do lots of metals are awarded almost like you were the next in line but in your case based on your version, earned.
JT, the losses were spaced out over several months. The disaster in the valley was never published anywhere.
There were three parades on Camp Pendleton to award my medals, with that same General Dwyer who sent me into
the valley of hell, pinning them on my chest!
Semper fi,
Jim
James, If it was my choice then Pat would be Snow White. Where this all leads
will prove interesting. Right now I don’t have a clue.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
Thirteen ribbons were all put together, with the rows of four and one ribbon in the center at the top.
Maybe “three” instead of “the”
Thirteen ribbons were all put together, with three rows of four and one ribbon in the center at the top.
For the first, and quite last, time I’d been awarded them
Maybe drop the commas and add “since” after “time”
Maybe “maybe” instead of “quite”
For the first and maybe last time since I’d been awarded them
acceptable way of answering telephone call.
Add “a” before “telephone”
acceptable way of answering a telephone call.
Greens were working uniforms but blues were generally not unless is a color guard so something like that.
Maybe “worn” after “not” and “in” instead of “is”, “or” instead Of “so”
Greens were working uniforms; but blues were generally not worn unless in a color guard or something like that.
we have not one credential for but we’ve stolen the Chief’s personal vehicle?”
Semicolon before “but”
“also” after we’ve” (not only / but also)
we have not one credential for; but we’ve also stolen the Chief’s personal vehicle?”
pushed own on the transmit button
“down” instead of “own”
pushed down on the transmit button
I stepped to the head of the second boy
Maybe “young man” instead of “boy”
I stepped to the head of the second young man
I asked to an attendant dressed to look like a nurse
Drop “to” after “asked”
I asked an attendant dressed to look like a nurse
turned back to work at the one of the folding tables
Drop “the” before “one”
turned back to work at one of the folding tables
There should have been one or two for the guards on late duty but there was half a.
I’ll guess “half a dozen.”
There should have been one or two for the guards on late duty but there was half a dozen.
few people about, most tourists
Maybe “mostly” instead of “most”
few people about, mostly tourists
“Coffees on the Chief of Police,”
Apostrophe in Coffee
“Coffee’s on the Chief of Police,”
cup to cup, whether anybody thee indicated they wanted it or not.
Maybe “there” instead of “thee”
cup to cup, whether anybody there indicated they wanted it or not.
other people that were beginning to place confidence and trust in doing
Maybe add “my” before “doing”
other people that were beginning to place confidence and trust in my doing
whom would be whom among the dwarfs
“who” rather than “whom”
who would be who among the dwarfs
bunch of trainee rookies I was working with. I wondered how many nicknames I’d accumulate s I went into my older years.
Repeat sentence: I wondered how many nicknames I’d accumulate s I went into my older years.
Maybe just drop it.
If retained then change “s” to “as”
The fact that
I‘d said I was with the base command
Backspace to connect sentence.
The fact that I‘d said I was with the base command
visibly reacting to from my chest full of combat valor ribbons.
Drop “from”
visibly reacting to my chest full of combat valor ribbons.
It’s the one distinctive thing
I noticed, but I’m not a doctor,
Backspace to connect sentence fragments.
No investigation means
Open quotes before “No”
“No investigation means
The county sheriff has a lot more power
Open quotes before “the”
“The county sheriff has a lot more power
Hoodoo had gotten hold the personnel files
Maybe add “of” after “hold”
Hoodoo had gotten hold of the personnel files
want to fill him in?”>
Extra character
want to fill him in?”
Not likely, the current runs the other way
Seems like two sentences
Not likely. The current runs the other way.
No swelling or puffing of the tissues pushing out at all.
This works – but redundant
Maybe drop “pushing out”
No swelling or puffing of the tissues at all.
then whomever it was at the compound hung up.
“whoever” instead of “whomever”
then whoever it was at the compound hung up.
meeting of the cub scouts or Webelo’s?
Maybe upper case for Cub Scouts
meeting of the Cub Scouts or Webelo’s?
Blessings & Be Well
Dan C. My best editor anywhere. Thanks for this, and again, I always think I’ve pre-edited well enough.
Not! You are indescribably terrific.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim