by Saxon Andrew
“Well, you were the only one injured and with the scrapes and bruises we’ve been able to muster, HQ might believe our story. You need to do your part to keep their attention away from Gardner.”
Bingham nodded slowly, “I’ll do what I can.”
“Good luck, Edward.”
“Thanks, Captain.” The Corpsmen lifted the stretcher and carried Bingham out.
• • •
Omaha said, “This report is horse manure and you know it. There’s no way this could have happened without major casualties.”
Captain Green blew out a breath and said, “Omaha, Gardner went into the jungle with his knives and a M60 machine gun and killed the entire Vietcong battalion alone.”
Omaha was silent and then said, “I’ll keep it to myself. That other stuff is just not believable.”
“And Gardner doing it alone is?”
“That’s the only way it could have been done without massive casualties. I notice he’s been recommended.”
“He has and I gave him a battlefield promotion. Do you anticipate any problems with that?”
“Not at all; it’s already been processed. I doubt anyone will notice for a while. It’s tacked in the middle of a list of high priority promotions the brass has been pushing so they aren’t going to slow it down by questioning anything.”
“That’s good.”
“One other thing, Brian.”
“What is that?”
“Major Ketchum is being moved to Intel and you are going to be promoted in his place to run the battalion. You’re going to need to promote someone to take your place.”
There was silence on the line and finally Green said, “Just what date is that promotion for Gardner listed?”
“It’s dated back to the first action where he stopped the ambush.”
“Omaha, can I get away with promoting him to Captain over D Company?”
“Brian, the thing about an Army this big is that no one can really keep track of everything that’s going on.”
“Other than you.”
“That’s correct; but I have submitted the paperwork attached with your promotion and had General Westmoreland sign it without reading it. You should let the new captain know.”
“What about a Lieutenant?”
“I believe there was a Sergeant named Slade that had the courage to go with him.”
“Omaha, you are absolutely unbelievable. Thank you.”
“Keep it up, Captain. You’re one of the few bright spots in this war.”
“I’ll do what I can.”
• • •
AG stood in front of Major Green’s desk and didn’t like what he was hearing. “Major, I’m not sure I’m ready to command anyone.”
“Gardner, you are going to have to look at this as an acceleration of your training. I don’t understand how all of this happened, but it appears that circumstances have caught you up in a wave and is forcing you to do this. You are now the youngest Captain in the Army and I expect you to lead my former company and make sure they are as safe as possible. I need you and you know there is no one here that can do a better job.”
“I’m still inclined to refuse this, Sir.”
“Why?”
“There aren’t enough warriors in the company to make it effective. I’ve only been able to train six in the skills needed to be effective. Most of the company is just not up to the task at hand.”
“What if I get you the men you need to make that happen?”
AG narrowed his eyes, “Just how will you do that?”
“You know there are soldiers in the other platoons that have requested to take part in your knife training. I can transfer them into two of your platoons and you can start their training immediately. I’m sure there will be others that will want to join you once the battalion sees what you’re doing. You should have enough for your company before long.”
“I’ll be the junior captain, Sir. The others won’t be willing to see their best men moved.”
“They will if I tell them your company will be doing all the patrols.”
“Is that fair, Sir? My men will be placed in the most dangerous situations.”
“No, it’s not fair; but who would be best at doing it? That’s the only way for this to happen. The other companies would jump at the chance of not having to go out and face Charlie in the jungles.”
AG thought a moment and said, “I need Weston, Slade, and Gomez as Lieutenants.”
Green smiled; he had already received the promotions for them. “You will have to keep Lt. Ashton.”
AG slowly shook his head, “He’s not much better than Bingham.”
“I know but I’m sure you can keep his platoon occupied supporting the other three. Come on, Gardner, you’ve got to do this.”
“What happens if you’re moved or not here? The other Captains have seniority and I could be forced into another John Wayne attack.”
“I’ll have a discussion with them about their roles in any future planning.”
“Will you allow me to address the company?”
“I will.”
AG smiled and saluted, “Then I’m your man.”
“Good, start organizing your company and we’ll start the transfers as soon as you let me know you’re ready. Dismissed, Captain.”
AG went back to the bunker and found his platoon waiting for him. Gomez said, “What’s up?”
AG shrugged and said, “It looks like they have drafted me to be D company’s CO.”
The platoon cheered and AG held up his hand, “It’s not all good news.”
Slade said, “Well the first part is.”
“We will be doing all of the patrols.”
There was silence and Charlie asked, “Why?”
“It’s the only way the Major would give me the right men to make the company effective. Gomez, Slade, and Charlie are promoted to Lieutenants and I expect you to do a good job of training your platoons in our skills.” AG looked at the rest of the platoon and said, “The rest of you will be moved into their platoons and help them get the new soldiers ready. If any of your troops don’t want to take the training, don’t force them. Only train those that want it. I’ll be meeting with the platoon sergeants tonight.”
“What about Lt. Ashton?”
“He will serve a role. You let me worry about him. I’m concentrating on your three platoons first.”
Slade looked at Gomez and said, “How do you want to start?”
“I’ve received a shipment of knife vests and I need you to start your platoons training. Jackson, are you sure you won’t accept a promotion?”
“I’ll take a squad, Sir. I do not want to be an officer.”
“I’ll go along with you for now but if it comes down to the safety of my men, you will accept it if I need you.”
Jackson stared at AG and then slowly nodded, “Try to avoid it if you can, Sir.”
AG smiled, “I’ll do what I can. Now go to your platoons and start finding out which ones are warriors.”
• • •
A week later six helicopter gunships arrived at the camp with a patrol of six jets overhead. The Huey they were escorting landed and Major Green went out to greet the man stepping out the door. The man said, “Major, I need to see Gardner.”
Brian nodded and said, “Come with me. Santos, go get Gardner and bring him to my bunker.”
AG arrived and saw Major Green standing off to the side of a middle aged man sitting at his desk. He came to attention and saluted. “You don’t need to salute, I’m a civilian. Sit down and take it easy.” AG looked at Brian and he nodded. Who was this man?
“I have just left my son and he told me what you did to save him from the Black Witch.” AG realized that this was Bingham’s father. “He told me on condition that I keep everything in confidence and I have agreed to do so. I’m here to tell you that you not only saved his life but my wife’s and mine as well. If he had died I know I would have lost Miriam. She would have ne
ver been the same if he had died in the Black Witch’s embrace. Knowing the suffering he would have endured would have killed her and I wouldn’t be much better. I’m here to tell you that if you ever need my help on anything, and I do mean anything, you will have it with no questions asked.”
“Thank you, Sir, but I only did what had to be done.”
“That’s what he said you’d say. Even so, I mean it, Gardner. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My son is a different man now and I can see it’s for the better. I insist that you come to see me after this is over. Please tell me you will.”
AG smiled and nodded, “I will, Sir.”
The man stood and came around the desk and hugged AG. His tears were there and AG and Brian saw that he was sincere in his gratitude. He left the bunker and Brian said, “He is the principle shareholder and CEO of one of our major defense industries.”
AG said, “I did it for the others, Sir.”
“If you did it for one; you did it for all.”
AG looked down and said, “You’re right.” AG saluted and left the bunker and wondered what had just happened. He suddenly realized that destiny required him to save Bingham from the witch. This was an important moment but he didn’t know what it meant. It would be years before he found out.
Chapter Thirteen
Five months passed and the monsoons were blowing through like a wave of water. Even the Vietcong had difficulty carrying out any real operations around Gibraltar. The river around the camp was over its banks and the jungle was little more than a morass of mud and slow going. D company’s scouts kept watch over the trees and there was little or no white bird activity. The first three platoons had made remarkable progress in their training and even before the monsoons hit, Vietcong activity had been greatly reduced. AG lowered his binoculars and saw Lt. Ashton moving toward Major Green’s bunker. He had been pressing for a transfer since AG’s promotion and it looked like today was another round of begging to be moved. Charlie saw Ashton and said, “He needs to go.”
AG shook his head slightly, “You know how pass the trash works. We can move him but only if we accept someone else’s problem. We might get something worse in return.”
Charlie scowled, “I don’t think you can get anyone worse.”
AG sighed, “That’s what they thought in A Company and they got Winslow.”
Charlie smiled, “I guess you’re right. Ashton is preferable to Winslow.”
• • •
Ashton had just left Major Green’s bunker and he decided that he had had enough of the Lieutenant’s whining. He waited until Omaha came on the line and then said, “I need to transfer a Lieutenant, Omaha. Can you help me?”
“Sorry, if it wasn’t an officer I could but movement of officers has been taken out of my shop.”
“Why did they do that?”
“Some pissed off Colonel didn’t like what I sent him so he complained that a NCO shouldn’t be making decisions about officers.”
“You must have sent him a doozy.”
Omaha laughed, “I think I made my best move with that one. That Colonel is a pain in the backside. I was hoping they would move that responsibility from my shop and they did.”
“Who do I need to see about the transfer?”
Omaha laughed, “Captain Bingham.”
“What?”
“He’s been promoted for his actions during the Black Witch operation.”
“You can’t be serious.”
Omaha’s voice turned serious, “He’s not the same Bingham you knew, Brian. He’s changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“That close call with death has made him a better man. He does his job fairly and will tell a superior officer how the world works. He initially refused the promotion but the General insisted. He no longer cares about his career; he’s intent on doing the right things for our troops.”
“That’s good to know. Will you patch me through?”
Brian waited and heard, “Bingham here.”
“Congratulations, Captain.”
“Major Green, how are you?”
“I’m doing fine, Edward. How are you doing?”
“My wounds don’t prevent me from doing my part in this war. I hardly notice them anymore. How is Gardner?”
“He’s a Captain now. He’s commanding D Company.”
Brian expected Bingham to explode at the fast promotion of such a young soldier but he said, “That company is in good hands now. I’m sure he’ll take care of those under his watch. Tell him I said thanks.”
Brian smiled, “I will. I need your help.”
“Trying to move Ashton, aren’t you?”
“I guess that wasn’t a hard guess to make.”
“I’m really restricted in who I can transfer, Sir. If I take anyone off the trash list, I’ll catch too much backlash from the others about playing favorites. However, I’ll do it if you think it’s that important.”
Brian thought about it and finally said, “No, I am not going to put you in that kind of situation.”
There was a pause and Bingham said, “There is a Lieutenant at the bottom of the list that I would like to send to you.”
“Oh.”
“He’s there because of his drug use and the multiple arrests for fighting on leave. I interviewed him and he was the most sarcastic person I’ve ever met.” Bingham paused, “But there’s something in his eyes that reminds me of Gardner. He see’s things that others miss, Sir. He is at least not a coward like Ashton and I were.”
Green thought about it and said, “Where can we pick him up?”
“He’s in detention is Saigon. He’s due to be released in five days. I’ll have the paperwork waiting for you at the center.”
“Where do I send Ashton?”
“There’s a Colonel that’s yelling about being treated unfairly so I’ll send him there. He’ll be glad to move your new Lieutenant.”
“I’ll have one of my officers go fetch him.”
“That would be good, Sir. Your command is making quite a name for itself around here. The White Demons keeps showing up in enemy Intel; they want to avoid where they’re located.”
“Gardner was called that by the Witch. His soldiers found out and started calling themselves the White Demons. They have a little white ghost on their shoulders.”
“Well, the word is out and both sides of this war appear to know who they are now. General staff was surprised at having an eighteen year old captain but once they saw his combat reports, they just took his name off their lists. The old man is really keeping an eye on your D Company and would have probably promoted him again if not for his age.”
“What do you think about that, Edward?”
“If I were going into a fight, he’s the one I’d want to follow. His age means nothing; that man is the finest warrior on this planet. I’ve told the old man the same thing when he questioned me about him.”
“Thanks, Edward. I still have a place for you if you want to come take one of my companies.”
“I may take you up on that. I’ll try to take Winslow’s place.”
“If you could do that, I’ll kiss you myself.”
“That won’t be necessary. Just tell Gardner he’ll have a new trainee.”
“I will, and good luck.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
• • •
“Come on AG. You need to let me go pick up the garbage.”
“Why Charlie; we need you here for training.” AG stared at Charlie and said, “You’re not telling me something.”
Charlie took a big breath and let it out, “Jessica said she would fly over and meet me in Saigon if I could arrange to be there for a few days.”
“Jessica?”
“You know, the girl from the beach in Hawaii.”
“Why Charlie, you have something going with her?”
“She’s a doctor, AG and it’s hard for her to get away. I don’t know what she sees in me but she must see something. If I
can leave a few days early, I can spend some time with her.”
“I’ll have a bird in here this afternoon. Take Corporal Santos with you to drive your jeep. You have five days to get him back. Enjoy yourself, Charlie; you deserve it. Be sure to wear your civilian clothes.”
Charlie smiled, “I will, Sir. And thank you.”
AG watched Charlie sprint to his bunker and he smiled. Charlie had it wrong; that doctor was the lucky one.
• • •
Jessica reached up and kissed Charlie with a long, slow, deep, kiss. “These four days have been magic, Charlie. Please come back to me.”
“I will, Jess. And I’ll be coming with a ring if you can wait for me.”
“I’ll have no other but you so just make sure you make it back.”
“I’d marry you now but there is always the chance I don’t. You will be the reward for my making it through this conflict.”
“I love you, Charlie. I’ll be waiting.”
Charlie watched her go out to her flight and felt his heart singing. She was so wonderful. Santos said, “We should go fetch the trash bag, Sir.”
Charlie laughed and said, “Even he couldn’t spoil this day. Let’s go get him.”
Lt. Jeremiah Jacob Dodd waited in his cell for the officer to come and release him. He sat back and closed his eyes and wished this damnable war was over. The stupidity and arrogance of those conducting it was abominable. It was a wonder that casualties weren’t double what they were so far. That egotistical colonel was the worst of the lot. He has sent him out with just his platoon into an ambush where he had lost half his men. He later found out that the Colonel had an intelligence report on his desk he had ignored indicating increased Vietcong activity in his sector. He was sent to the detention facility the first time for trying to kick the Colonel’s face in. Unfortunately, he had been held back. He gave up at that point and tuned out. Now he needed to find a connection for some pot and he would be back in business passing time. He didn’t mind waiting in the cell; it was safer than sitting it out in a firebase. “Dodd, you’re released. Get up and get out here.”
Jerry opened his cell door, which was never locked, and put his hat on. The guards knew he wasn’t a flight risk. He had a permanent room in the facility and the guards enjoyed his humor. A guard handed him his duffle bag and shook his hand, “Don’t be a stranger, Sir.”