B004V9FYIY EBOK

by Unknown

  “Good. General Black, please work with State to block out time for the awards and other ceremonies. I believe there are a few guys for me to see including General Richardson. You might even have some time for us to visit the military hospitals.”

  “Yes, sir. My staff is already working on it.”

  “Good. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for your support and your professionalism. You have pulled the United States out of a bad situation and have set a nice high standard for us to emulate in the future. I personally thank each of you for a job well done.”

  O’Bannon walked around the table and shook everyone’s hand, softly saying a little something to each of them. After a few minutes he bid the room farewell and went back to the Oval Office.

  Pusan, Korea

  “There’s something I would like to do for you, Sergeant,” the orthopedic surgeon said to the room. Ricks was sitting up in his wheel chair and eating with Su Lynn and his parents. Ricks had made a remarkable recovery. Much of it was attributed to his dedicated wife.

  “I want to send you to a specialist in Atlanta for a special operation. There are some new prosthetics out there that would probably help you make your deadline. They will attach a titanium pin to the end of the bones in your legs. That pin will stick out of your skin and the prosthetic will latch into it. Between that and the fit around the remainder of your leg, it should act just as your normal leg.”

  “But how will I move it?” Ricks asked.

  “When we removed the lower parts of your leg I was able to save a length of bone and I attached what muscle was left to that bone. It may not move exactly like your leg, but you will be able to control it,” the surgeon said.

  Ricks smiled at the man. “That sounds a little more promising than something I have to strap on and adjust all the time. But what about this pin that will go through the skin?”

  “It can be done. The pin is titanium and not something you might be allergic to. The only thing we should be alert for is infection. By the way you have healed, there is plenty of meat below the end of the bone. That should act as a natural barrier. It just means you have to be careful to keep your legs clean.”

  “Sounds like it might be just the thing,” Ricks said.

  “He walk by time baby born?” asked Su Lynn.

  “Well, possibly. It is possible if you work hard enough. These things take getting used to. But it’s the only thing that gives you a chance.”

  “Then he do it,” she said defiantly.

  Ricks looked at her with admiration. “You heard the woman, Doc,” Ricks said.

  “Good. I’ll make the arrangements and you will be shipped out in a few days,” the surgeon said.

  “What about my wife?”

  “I’ll get some people on it. I’ll try and get someone to see you this afternoon. In the mean time, I may move you to some other quarters. You’re doing well enough to get around in the chair on your own. How’s that sound?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Then I’ll check in on you tomorrow. Have a good evening.”

  “Thanks, Doc,” Ricks said. He looked over at Su Lynn and squeezed her hand. “Looks like we’re going home,” he said.

  They were just beginning to talk about the prospects when there was another knock on the door and Lt. Colonel Peterson stuck his head in. “Everybody decent?” he asked.

  “Come in, Colonel!” said Ricks.

  Peterson entered the room and shook hands all around. He even got a hug and a kiss on the cheek from Su Lynn. “I just saw your Doc out in the hall. He says you’re going home. Congratulations!” he said.

  “Yes, we just got the word. The Doc says he’s going to try and fix it so Su Lynn can come with me.”

  “Well, don’t worry about that. Su Lynn is coming with me for her photograph and she’ll have a passport this afternoon,” he said seriously.

  “That quick?” asked Amanda.

  Peterson looked a little hurt. “Are you doubting my word, Ma’am?”

  “Well, no, but I know how long it took for some neighbors of ours. We only got ours so quick when the Army stepped in,” she said.

  “Let’s just say I can pull strings. There’s one more piece of news though,” Peterson said. “Your presence is required at some kind of ceremony in Tokyo in four days. All four of you will be going and the Army is getting the transportation laid on. You will be going in two days. So I suggest you polish up your wheelchair and get yourself shaved. They want you in uniform.”

  “You have got to be kidding me. What do they want me for?” asked Ricks.

  “Beats me, Sergeant. Just be getting ready. Su Lynn and I may stop and pick you up some new uniforms. I took a look at what you have and wouldn’t wipe my… kitchen table with them,” he said catching himself.

  “Yes sir,” said Ricks. “But if you hear what it’s about, I’d like to know.”

  “I’ll keep my ears open. OK, Su Lynn, let’s go get you a passport,” Peterson said.

  A little unsure of what to do, Su Lynn stood up and went with Peterson. Fortunately, Peterson knew exactly what he was doing and, in addition to getting uniform items, he stopped at a shopping center and bought her some western style clothes. She would have to look nice for the person she would be meeting.

  Tokyo, Japan

  Air Force One landed at Narita Airport with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a visiting head of state. The 747 had been repaired and hardened against EMP so there was no longer any fear from that threat. The big airplane in its two toned blue and white paint shimmered in the sunlight as it taxied along the ramp to the VIP reception area. The airplane stopped and the airstair was lowered. A red carpet was extended from the end of the stairs out to a waiting platform for arrival remarks.

  The doors opened and President O’Bannon stepped from the plane, waved, and walked down the steps. He was greeted by several dignitaries including the Japanese Prime Minister and members of the diplomatic community. The men walked to the platform and gave the perfunctory remarks regarding how happy they were to be here and how much they were looking forward to their meetings. After more handshakes the two men entered their limousines and took off toward an official reception while other staff members made their way to their rooms at the embassy. In some cases, they were taken to the Iowa.

  USS Iowa and the rest of the battleships were moored alongside the municipal cargo loading piers running along the Shuto Expressway across from Shinonome Station. The sailors enjoyed the location for two reasons. It had easy access to downtown and it was less than four miles from Disneyland Tokyo. For men who had spent the last few months in a war zone, it was like stepping into a different world. In many cases, it was nice just being around regular people again.

  By 8 pm, the activities for the first day had ended and the motorcade made its way through the city to the pier. Normally Tokyo was still jammed with cars at that time of the evening, but the efficient Tokyo police blocked off several streets allowing the motorcade to pass quickly and without interruption.

  Entering the gates to the pier, O’Bannon came upon an impressive sight. Each of the huge ships was dressed with lights along the main deck and up and over the masts from bow to stern. They seemed to shimmer as he made his way down the pier to Iowa. Along the way, sailors in their dress blues were standing evenly spaced along the ship’s rails saluting as the limousine passed. The last in line was Iowa. Lights were shining up along the various levels making the ship look even more impressive in the evening as the sides rose into the night sky.

  The President exited his limousine and looked at the ship. As with the other ships, sailors were lined up evenly along the entire side of the ship on each level. Even more men stood atop the massive guns – all at attention and all saluting. He heard a bell sound eight times and someone announce “United States, arriving.”

  As he approached the quarterdeck he saw eight sideboys and a line of officers waiting at attention. Upon the President’s arrival at the side, t
he Bos’n began blowing his pipe and all the people on the quarterdeck saluted. Hammond was there, first in line, to greet him.

  O’Bannon got to the end of the line in time to hear a small band begin giving the four ruffles and flourishes and then play their version of “Hail to the Chief.” At the end everyone dropped their salute and the President stepped forward followed by Butler and a few other staff members.

  “Welcome aboard, Mister President,” Hammond said. The look on his face told O’Bannon how glad he was to see him.

  “Roger, it’s good to see you again. I keep hearing things about you,” the President quipped.

  “Nothing good, I know. Let me introduce you to my officers,” Hammond said as he began the introductions.

  When he got to the end of the line the President stopped him. “Is that the band?”

  “Yes, sir. They wanted to be a part of this.”

  “Good. Then let’s go see them.”

  The two walked up the ladder to the horror of the men standing by their instruments.

  “Hi, guys. I really want to meet you,” he said extending his hand. He made his way to each of the men. “You men have no idea what your playing has done for so many of us, both here and back home,” he said as he made his way. “I really appreciate what you’ve put into this. More than you’ll ever know. I hope I get the chance to hear some more of your music soon,” he told them.

  The men beamed. They were playing because it was fun, even though they were being asked to play more and more. To have the President come and meet them was icing on the cake.

  Hammond led the President into his cabin and O’Bannon flopped into the easy chair. “Oh man, I am so glad this day’s over,” he said. “At least I get to spend it here and not some sterile hotel room.”

  “Welcome to the Roosevelt Suite,” Hammond said gesturing with one arm, “straight from its last engagement in 1943.”

  “Oh man. I like this. I wish I could walk all over this thing tonight,” the President said.

  “Mister President, I…”

  “Roger, you’ve known me a while now. Let me be a regular guy once in a while. Isn’t that right, Jim?”

  “Damn right,” said Butler.

  Hammond chuckled. “OK, Steve. I was about to say you’re welcome to walk around anytime you want. The guys on this ship are okay. They’d love having you drop by.”

  Now it was O’Bannon’s time to laugh. “I can see it now. Dear Mom, guess who dropped by my toilet today.” They all sat back and laughed. “Well, maybe a little later. You been doing okay?”

  “Perfect. I still can’t thank you enough for putting me in charge of this ship. It’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Hammond said.

  “Well, you deserved it. And by the way things have turned out, I’d say you’ve more than justified the job. I mean jeez, taking on four or five missiles? Jim almost soiled himself when he heard about it.”

  “Don’t give away my secrets, Boss,” Butler joked.

  “You saying I shouldn’t have?”

  “No, it’s just that you have more balls than I have,” the President said. Then he sat up a quickly. “Oh. I almost forgot. I need to speak to your crew. Is that okay?”

  Hammond was a little surprised, but the Boss had a habit of making quick decisions. “OK. You want to do this from the quarterdeck or the bridge?” he asked, looking at the agent standing by the outside door.

  “The bridge might be a little more secure.”

  The President jumped up. “The bridge it is then. Shall we go?”

  Hammond called the quarterdeck and had everyone come inside the skin of the ship so that the President’s speech would not be heard across the docks.

  Leading the way up the ladders, the men came out through the navigator’s station and onto the bridge. O’Bannon gasped in amazement at the seventeen-inch thick doors leading into the conning station. He paused beside the 1MC as the Captain flipped the switches and handed the President the microphone.

  “Crew of the Iowa, this is the President. I want to thank all of you for letting me stay aboard your ship while here in Tokyo. I have wanted the chance to come aboard since before the ship was commissioned. You guys have done an amazing job here in Korea and everyone in the nation is waiting for you guys to get home. So before that happens, I wanted to give you my personal thanks for all you’ve done. I know there are some Iowa veterans aboard. You guys volunteered to return to your ship and serve on her again. That impresses the hell out of me. People once told me that to do what you do required youth. You proved them wrong. It requires dedication and courage. I also understand the young guys here are learning a few things from you guys. Well, learn everything you can. These kinds of veterans come only once in a while.”

  “Well, I’m here to tell you that you will eventually be going home, but I wanted to ask you if I could add one more task before you do. I hope this is not asking too much. If it is, let me know when I walk around the ship and I’ll change my mind. You see, I do want you to go home, after you sail around the world.”

  From somewhere in the background the President heard a “Yess!” from some member of the crew.

  “This conflict has shown the world a great many things, including what a bunch of seventy year old ships can do when handled well. The world thought the battleship’s time had passed them by. You proved them wrong.”

  “Now let’s do something done over 100 years ago. A President named Roosevelt sent the American fleet around the world to show people what we were made of. Being the ‘big stick’ and, after seeing what you guys have done, I want to do that again. So immediately after this event, Iowa will take me to Korea. Then you and the rest of the battleships shall visit a number of ports. The list includes stops in China, the Philippines, Fiji and Tonga, New Zealand and Australia, Pakistan, Oman, Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Russia. From there you are scheduled to go to Sweden, Denmark, and England. Then we will start dropping off ships along the East Coast as you head home.”

  “If that’s OK, it should take six months. But I will sweeten the deal. Each of you can invite your family to one of the ports to join you there. I will authorize their passage on a MAC flight. You will need to have the hotel rooms, but the rest is on us. I suggest you choose one of the more exotic ports and one where you will be staying a few days.”

  “That’s the deal guys. Let your officers know what you think and we will make that happen. Once again, I appreciate what you have done and I hope this is a way of rewarding you for that. Have a great evening and I hope to see you around the ship soon.”

  “Jeez, Boss. That’s an expensive trip,” Hammond said.

  “You bet your ass, but I want to send a few messages. This voyage will thank a lot of people and gives warning to a few others. My thing is for you not to worry about that. Just go have a good time and leave the diplomacy to us. You in?” the President asked.

  “I’m in.”

  “Good, since you will command the Division. Sorry about the double duty, but that didn’t slow you down before. When you get home, you will get something else. Until then you can stay on this ship and get used to something the size of a task force.”

  “I can handle that,” Hammond said.

  “Good. Then let’s take a short walk around and see what your crew thinks,” O’Bannon said.

  They had just gone through the door when applause broke out in the passageway. Officers and men were lined up along the bulkhead clapping their hands and cheering the President’s decision. He made his way along the passageway and shook the men’s hands. Going farther into the ship more sailors stopped and thanked the President. In the mess decks he was almost overcome. The Secret Service agents finally just let the guys walk up and pat the man on the back. Everyone wanted to go.

  Later on, as the President lay in the hot water of the Roosevelt tub, he reflected on the time he had known Hammond. At every turn he impressed the President. It was even shown through the actions and condu
ct of his crew. These guys would be the perfect ambassadors on the trip. O’Bannon took a deep breath and let the warmth soak into his body. The ceremony day after tomorrow would cap things off.

  USS Iowa

  After a great Thanksgiving meal prepared by the White House chef and his assistants, the crew formed up on the fantail of the ship looking forward toward the raised guns of turret three. A platform was erected beneath the guns and covered with carpet. The media pool was lined up behind a number of seats that were filled by a variety of sailors and other military men. On one side, the Joint Chiefs of Staff sat stiffly in their dress uniforms. Just before lunch, a group had been assisted up the brow by several Army personnel. One young man in a wheel chair was brought aboard and ushered into the President’s cabin for the meal. As everyone gathered, the young man was wheeled along the main deck to take his place with the other men.

  At precisely 3 pm, the President and several other dignitaries walked aft down the port side and took their seats on the dais. The company stood when they arrived and were seated again as they sat. General Black, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, opened the ceremony.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to honor the heroic efforts of a number of men and women in our armed forces. During this recent conflict there were thousands of instances of individual bravery among our service men and women; however, some stood out above the others. It is our distinct honor and privilege to present these awards on behalf of a grateful nation,” Black said solemnly.

  “Will the following personnel please stand and come forward.”

  Black began calling out the names of a number of men and women who were receiving the Navy Achievement Medal. One of the citations was read aloud as a representative of all the recipients. Then the President pinned the awards on the breast of each recipient.