by Unknown
Johnson nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Then let’s turn and burn, people. We have some heroes to acknowledge,” O’Bannon said as he stood. The men all left the room to get things started. General Black took Johnson’s hand. “Damn, Perry, you squids do good work.”
“Why don’t you join us, General?” the President asked.
“Don’t mind if I do.”
The men walked to the CNO’s office and sat down. “Admiral, what do you recommend for the crew?”
“It’s a little early for that, sir. We’ll need the write ups from the ship and a few others. That will tell us who performed during this evolution. We’ll set them up for the appropriate medals. We might even give them spot promotions. I’ll need to send someone onboard to look into it. We normally send an investigating team aboard after an incident where damage occurs anyway,” he said.
“Right now they’re traveling around with just one stack. We’ll need to get that repaired. I’ll make arrangements for the plans to be sent over and a replacement piece to be manufactured and installed. I know we could do it in Japan, but I wonder if we might get a better deal in Korea? Why don’t I send Mike Shranski over there to do some negotiating? He and his team could pull some double duty and do the investigation. Shranski has his Surface Warfare pin and he’s the ultimate bean counter. He would probably do a nice job of it as long as I send a good deputy along. I’ll get on it,” Johnson said.
“Good. Now what about Roger?”
Johnson smiled and looked at his President. He didn’t bat an eye. “Sir, I didn’t use the words above and beyond the call of duty as a lark. He did the same kind of thing Evans did on USS Johnston off the Philippines in 1944. He placed his ship between the enemy and his charges. He took the beating without thought to his personal safety. In this case, he was able to save the crew and the ship in the process. Those sailors did everything right. They did as they were trained. This thing about the music. It tells me he has a happy, professional, and well motivated crew. That counts for everything in a war. I not only want the medal, but I want to convene a review board. I wish I had a few dozen more just like him. If we make the decision, will you sign it?”
“If I don’t I’ll lose my political career. You guys on the E-Ring might run me out of town on a rail. Damn right I’ll sign it,” O’Bannon exclaimed. “Look, I know he’s a friend and all, but he did this without my help or influence. I’m so happy right now I could kiss the man. How about you, General?”
Black leaned back and howled. “Hell, I already offered to let him be a Marine, what more would a guy want!” They all joined in the joke. “You remember what we talked about when all this started? About pointing us in the right direction? Well, you did. This is a direct result of it. Leave the professionals to do their job and things work out okay. A lot of people think technology is everything, but this shows that it’s the people who make the difference. Just give them some tools and they go to town. I’ll admit he’s done better than most, but this is what happens. You threw him into the fire and it just tempered the steel. I’d give him anything he wants.”
“Let’s not get too carried away,” Johnson said. “I definitely want to hear what the investigator says first. But I doubt it will be bad. Let me get Shranski going. If it looks good, we can have all this in place.”
O’Bannon stood to leave. “That’s all I needed to hear. Please keep me informed. I am taking a personal interest. Thanks again, Admiral,” he said.
“My pleasure, Mister President.
O’Bannon, Butler, and the detail left the office and made their way back to the car. The Press Secretary would be spending the night in town again and was coordinating with the ASD for Public Affairs. As they reached the car, the door was opened for them and both men got in.
“Jim, as this starts rolling, I want you to take all the packages and stuff and take a trip over to Korea. Stop off in San Pedro and gather a delegation from there so you can make a visit to the ship. You know we won’t talk about Roger and our plans for him, but you might fill him in on the medals for the crew and such. If this turns out like I hope, we might have to make an official visit. You can scope things out a little.”
“Steve, you know Congress won’t let you visit a war zone.”
“I might be able to visit Japan. Hell, even Roosevelt visited places in North Africa. If this happens, I want to be there,” he said.
“Let me talk to some of the leadership about that. Possibly as a state visit to Japan to discuss the war. Tomorrow I will visit the Iowa delegation and talk to them along with the Speaker and the Senate leadership. Although Williamson is still a pill, he won’t say anything against this. I’ll also have the Press Secretary give us a briefing over breakfast. That way we’ll know all the plans for the day. I’ll even get the speechwriter spun up so she can have a few things written down for you. I hope the PAO knows how to be humble.”
“He better. If he gets too bombastic he could blow this thing. I want this to be a recognition for bravery, not some political hayride.” The President glanced at his watch. “It’s already half past ten. I’m sorry I won’t have that spending bill ready when you wanted but I need the sack time.”
“Hell, you’re the President. That bill can wait a few days. This is more important for me anyway. Damn he did good.”
As the motorcade rolled up Constitution Avenue the two men sat back and watched the streetlights go by. Things at the White House had become hectic and more tedious as the technology came back on. Despite that, the two were now a well oiled team, thinking each other’s thoughts and anticipating changes. Both were thinking about the chance to see Hammond, and both were eager to see the look on his face when they did.
“Have you lost your mind?” demanded Frank Fallon standing in front of Senator Williamson’s desk.
“You can’t talk to me that way!” Williamson demanded.
Fallon nodded. “You’re right, Senator. I won’t talk to you that way. I’ll let your constituents say it. You were so bound and determined to get some dirt on the President that you jumped off without knowing what really happened. You made your calls and got a hearing set with your colleagues. Then when they hear what happened they call me in. The Party doesn’t need that kind of publicity, Dan. I have ten senators and seven congressmen left hanging because of your knee jerk reaction. Now they look like a bunch of chumps while the President is hailing what some call the greatest and most heroic naval action of the century!” he screamed. “Or haven’t you seen the papers this morning?”
“I was able to get your statement pulled, but it’s going to cost us big time with the media,” said Hank Yates. He had been called in at 3 am when reporters started screaming for information. Hank hadn’t even heard the news, but when he found out the Senator made the call himself he knew it couldn’t be good. The man was just not that smart. He glanced at his brother Torry.
Torry Yates was pale. His boss was committing political suicide right before his eyes and now Yates was seeing his own political life going the same way. “That makes no difference. The damage is done.” He turned to his boss. “You didn’t even check your messages. Admiral Granger called just a few minutes after you started all this to let you know there was more information and to call it off. But you were so busy shaking the tree you didn’t bother to check it. My god, how could you be so stupid!”
“Yates, watch yourself!” Williamson raged. He knew there were problems, but he was a senator and deserved more respect.
“Watch it yourself, Senator. I’m turning in my resignation. I am tired of mopping up the messes you leave. This one requires a mop I am not going to wield. When you run for reelection in two years I hope you are ready to lose.”
“What are you saying, Yates?”
“He’s saying he quits, Dan,” said Fallon. “I can’t say I blame him.” He turned to Hank. “We have more work to do.” Hank Yates nodded.
“How about both of you hang around for today and help me get t
hrough this?” Fallon said calmly to the Yates brothers. These guys were good and shouldn’t be blamed for what Williamson did. He saw both men nod.
“Okay, Dan, I’m going to get you through this. We’re going out with the story that you were fed false information from former Admiral Granger. It’s about time we got rid of that weasel anyway. You are going to say you are as appalled as everyone else that it happened. I’m going to call in some chips and get this put to bed. The Party leadership will back this up, but this is the last time. I agree with Torry. You better have some options open in a couple of years.”
“Now wait a minute, Frank…” He was stopped before he could utter another word.
“No, you wait a minute. You were so intent on getting something hot on the President you couldn’t follow good advice. We told you on more than one occasion to hold back. You chose last night to ignore that. So now you listen for a change. This is the last time the Party will back you. As far as we’re concerned you are a lame duck. Now you sit in your office and shut up. I will let you know what to say and when. Until then, you should busy yourself trying to find a new chief of staff,” he said as he turned and ushered the Yates brothers out of the office slamming the door. He would have a new job for Torry Yates by that afternoon.
Williamson sat in his chair and didn’t move. He hadn’t realized it until now — his role in the Party leadership had just ended.
Chapter 18
September 26 - Counterattack
Chomya, South Korea
Chomya was an agricultural center only three miles from the DMZ. South Korean units liberated the town just a day before and some units of the Big Red One made it up earlier in the afternoon and positioned themselves. The orders were for the advance units to get in position along the border and sit tight while the rest filled in behind them. The push into North Korea would be soon and every effort was made to consolidate and get ready. The Lieutenant Colonel in charge set up a command post in one of the schools and settled in for a quiet evening. His troops had moved to the old DMZ and were digging some entrenchments. He finished his evening meal and, after checking the messages again, pulled out a sleeping bag and was about to get a little bit if shuteye.
Suddenly shells began peppering the town shocking the Lieutenant Colonel from his rest. He grabbed his rifle and started yelling for people to get out of the building. A set of three shells hit the school building they were in and the roof fell in directly on top of everyone inside. The timbers caught fire and soon the whole building, along with many others in the town, was blazing.
Captain Hugh Buntz began gathering his men immediately after the shelling started. They began moving toward the main road when what seemed like a battalion of North Korean soldiers appeared from nowhere. The men put on a good show, but it was hopeless. The North Koreans overwhelmed the men taking care to shoot everyone as they went through.
On the DMZ the shelling continued. As the troops took cover, one soldier was horrified to see a wave of men pour through the fence on the North Korean side and make their way toward them. Mines went off everywhere, but the human wave kept coming. After a warning cry, the men began firing into the wave. In a minute the shelling stopped and the sound of the rapid fire machine guns filled the air. More mines went off – this time allied. The machine guns emptied case after case of ammunition and in some cases, the barrels began to melt. Yet the wave continued to make its way across the DMZ. Suddenly North Korean soldiers appeared behind the men at the Z. They fired their weapons into the trenches and other emplacements. As the human wave came through the barbed wire on the South Korean side, the firing had stopped.
“Where is the breakthrough?” Claire Richardson asked.
“It’s centered near Chomya on the border. We have reports they have already taken the town and are moving south. One radio report said they were coming across in a human wave. It was preceded by an artillery barrage. There are also reports of rocket attacks all along this line,” a Major said as he pointed out places on the map.
A telephone rang in the room and was answered. “General, it’s Colonel Yost.”
She grabbed the phone. “What do you have?”
“They are pouring through, General. Division strength at a minimum. I’m pulling my troops back to map section 23, but there’s no way to stop them right now. They ran their troops along the Z setting off every mine in the place and just kept coming. I don’t know about tanks or anything else. But the troops alone are killing us,” he said loudly. She could hear gunfire behind him.
“Yost, get your troops back as best you can. We’ll get things going here and get back to you. If you get any more information, let me know.”
“Will do, General,” he said as the line went dead.
Richardson turned to her staff. “They are pouring across the line. Yost says division strength at least. They used their own people as minesweepers and marched across. Gentlemen, I’ve half way been expecting this. I want all our troops to consolidate along this line,” she said pointing along the map. “Get reinforcements on either side, here and here, as fast as you can. I want to let them in and form a pocket. The troops in the middle give a good show, but keep pulling back until we can find out the extent of this. You all have that?”
The men and women in the room nodded. “OK get on it,” she said. The staff immediately began scurrying around the room, grabbing telephones and giving orders. One young man began issuing electronic orders via satellite. Richardson went to the opposite side of the tent and grabbed another telephone. She dialed a number and waited. “General Fulton, Claire Richardson. Have you seen the outbreak?”
“Yes, I’m trying to get a handle on it. What info do you have?”
“From the reports we have coming in, we have a major breakthrough near Chomya. I have reports they made a human wave attack across the DMZ and are pouring everything through.” She paused as someone handed her a piece of paper. “Now I have a report they are two miles south of Chomya heading southeast. I have moved my troops right and left along the line and have them making a pocket until we can see what they’re up to. I recommend we fall back along the line and then cut them off and circle them once the main part of their force is through. I am consolidating my troops on the flanks and pulling back in the center.”
“Good. I’ll have the other forces begin moving up the sides as well. I’ll fix the pull back line at the Namisum River. I’m also getting the Air Force and Navy to saturate the area. Get your troops back and enforce your positions on the flanks. I’ll get back to you,” he said.
Richardson returned to her staff. They were working quickly and efficiently. It was going to be a long night.
In the Mountains of North Korea
It was dark. Some woods and scrub beside one hill suddenly became active with men and equipment that appeared from seemingly nowhere. The rockets were pulled from their underground bunkers and motored to their launch points. Few knew the extent of the tunnel system under North Korea. They crisscrossed the entire country. The rockets were constantly being moved back and forth underground to make sure they were in the optimal position for launch. This was the first time the missiles had been in open air since they had been manufactured. The trucks backed into a concrete revetment where pipes were fitted to provide the fuels. The missile was raised on the back of the truck and a technician opened a panel and began programming the guidance system. It took only minutes and the panel was closed again. The men around the rockets began scurrying back inside. In just one minute the rocket ignited as a plume of fire shot from its exhaust. The missile quickly lifted from its cradle and accelerated upward into the night sky. Its rocket engine illuminated the valley surrounding them. Within just a few minutes the rocket was only a speck among the stars. Several soldiers standing guard on the hilltop were amazed. The same lights were appearing all along that section of hills, climbing into the sky and disappearing. They all knew it was something special.
Ulsan, South Korea
USS
Iowa steamed slowly into Ulsan Harbor. The message said to proceed to the Hyundai Shipyards where repairs would be made on her after funnel. The ship moved through the breakwater and proceeded upriver to the shipyard. Several ships were in drydock undergoing repairs, but this would not require that level of work. Lights were turned on along one section of pier and Hammond could see men moving along it. The pilot came aboard and told them the pier was ready and there was an American official waiting for them. As usual, the band was playing as the ship came in.
Hammond watched as the tugs pushed the Iowa into the pier. When close enough, the men threw their lines across and the big hawsers were pulled down and attached to the bollards on the pier. As he glanced aft, he noticed a car door open and a flag officer get out. Oh lord, he thought. Just what we need. But the thoughts vanished when he saw who it was.
RADM Mike Shranski waved up at Hammond as he walked forward on the pier. He pointed to the torn remnants of the after stack. “Nice decorator,” he shouted up.
Hammond smiled and waved. “She comes in once a week.”
Both men were genuinely happy to see the other. As the brow was positioned, Shranski was the first across. After being bonged aboard he shook Hammond’s hand warmly. “Good to see you again, Roger. Somebody said you needed some fixing and they sent me over to help out.”
“Good. If it had been any other Chop, I might have turned around and gone home. How are you doing, sir?”
“Pretty fair. I have a bunch we need to talk about, but first some business.” Shranski turned to a shipyard man who had come up with him. “Captain Hammond, this is Mister Gee. He’s got a present for you.”