U-Boat Scourge

by J Eugene Porter

  “What?” Jameson said, “I know this kid, he would never do this unless he were greatly provoked so what is the situation?”

  Flannigan again pointed at the doctor and told the commander, “Sit down and let the good doctor go through his file and analysis of what is really taking place around here.”

  Some five minutes later, the commander said, “Okay, this is a mess and if you had not intervened, doctor, a great injustice would have occurred. Worse than that, we would have lost a very important resource.”

  Feldman said, “Excuse me, sir, I don’t understand when you say losing a resource.”

  “Doctor,” Jameson said, “you will be filled in later, but for right now I need to have a chat with the admiral and then we are going to find Brand.”

  Commander Jameson walked back into the office with the file and had the other two wait outside. “Admiral, we have a situation that needs your urgent attention.”

  Admiral Bridges, looking a bit perturbed, asked if this could wait and gave the commander a stern gaze, “Sir, this has an impact on your latest mission, and we need to resolve it immediately.”

  The admiral now concerned by the commander’s unrelenting voice and sensing that something was brewing, asked the captain if he could be so kind as to be let alone with the commander for a few minutes and then they would resume their talk. “Certainly, sir,” the captain answered.

  “Jameson, what the hell is so important?”

  “Sir, we found Brand, but there are a lot of problems around here turning our mission into a major incident.”

  The admiral’s legal mind churned as he asked the commander for his report. “Sir, Brand is in the brig for a serious offense but one in which is purely self-defense from a thug petty officer. I have both a report of long standing issues regarding the petty officer and an eyewitness to the altercation. Let me show you this file.”

  Some ten minutes later, the admiral’s aide walked out of the office and escorted Flannigan and Feldman into the room. Another five minutes went by. Base Commander Bailey and his executive officer, Blevins, were now outside waiting for the admiral. Again, the door opened. Haslett, the admiral’s aide, asked the base commander and his executive officer to come inside.

  The admiral sat behind Captain Bailey’s desk inspecting a file. The captain and his executive officer came to attention in front of the desk and waited. They noticed that the marine lieutenant and young base doctor were standing next to the admiral’s aide and Commander Jameson.

  “Gentlemen, at ease.” Admiral Bridges bellowed. There was no doubt about the commanding officer in charge.

  “It appears, Captain, that I found my man, Seaman Recruit Brand.” Questioning the executive officer, the admiral asked, “Are you familiar with that name, Commander Blevins?”

  “Yes sir,” the commander responded.

  The admiral continued, “And where is he now?”

  “Sir,” Blevins responded, “Seaman Recruit Brand is in the Brig waiting for a court-martial for assaulting a petty officer.”

  “Yes, Commander Blevins, I found that out. Captain Bailey, why didn’t you know this information?” The admiral gave the captain a stare that went straight to the heart and turned around inside the now fearful captain like a knife.

  The captain glanced at his executive officer before answering the admiral, “Sir, I have not been informed about this man or any pending charges.”

  “So, Commander Blevins, you have not informed the base commander of an assault on a superior officer, nor have you provided said base commanding officer a set of formal charges? Would you say that you have been derelict in your duties?”

  Blevins, now visibly concerned about the inquiry, did not know how to respond but said, “Sir, we have not formalized the charges, so the captain would be unaware of them, sir.”

  Admiral Bridges continued, “How long ago was this offense against the petty officer?”

  “Sir, it was three days ago,” answered Blevins.

  The admiral looked down again at the file that Dr. Feldman had prepared and asked, “Commander Blevins, have you or any other officer provided counsel to the accused? Have you physically met with him?”

  “No sir,” came the reply.

  The admiral stood, looked at Captain Bailey, then Commander Blevins before speaking. “Commander, you will escort Commander Jameson, Lieutenant Flannigan, and the doctor over to the brig where Commander Jameson will talk to Seaman Recruit Brand, and the doctor will examine him for any physical issues. You will then come back to this office and report on his condition. At that time we will begin our discussion of the abuse of recruits by Petty Officer Dugard and any others that may be involved; plus we will discuss who knew about this and did nothing. Flannigan, take two of your marines with you and make sure all is secure.”

  Flannigan, walked out of the office, informed Gunnery Sergeant Jones of the situation, asking him and Corporal Pride to accompany him and Commander Jameson, explaining Staff Sergeant Laird was to stay and support the admiral as required. The sergeant stepped outside, brought in the two marines, and gave them their orders as the officers moved from the building to the waiting staff cars.

  Within a few minutes, they were on the other side of the base and parked in front of the brig. Both vehicles emptied. The corporal opened the door of the brig and yelled to anyone within two miles, “Ten-hut, officer on deck.”

  In walked Commander Blevins with Commander Jameson immediately behind with the doctor and Lieutenant Flannigan bringing up the rear of the column. Two marines jumped to attention and faced the door while a weary looking sergeant slowly rose and faced the officers. He knew the executive officer, Commander Blevins, well but who were these newcomers? Sgt. Howard Wright was known across the base as a sadist who loved to kick around his prisoners. Rumors were rampant that he often sexually abused the youngest and smallest of the recruits who landed in the brig, but no charges were ever filed out of pure fear of life and limb.

  Sergeant Wright slowly said, “Commander Blevins, sir, how may I be of help to you today?”

  Commander Jameson replied first, “I understand you are holding a recruit named Brand, is that correct?”

  “Yes sir, he is being held on assault charges on a superior officer, and he is a nasty piece of work if I may say, fought and kicked our men badly. He’s a troublemaker from what I heard from Petty Officer Dugard.”

  “Sergeant,” Jameson said, “please take us to him. And that means now.”

  Wright looked to Blevins for cover but none came, motioned to the brig corporal to bring the keys and stepped down the hallway toward the cells.

  When the door opened, they saw Brand sprawled on the floor with blood running down his head and his eyes swollen shut.

  “Doctor,” Jameson yelled, “get in here. Flannigan, call for an ambulance.”

  Wright opened his mouth to protest, but the look in the eyes of the new commander silenced him. As Flannigan picked up the phone he motioned to Gunnery Sergeant Jones, saying, “Sergeant, do a little asking around the brig as to what is going on and quickly if you can. I will back you up on any promises you might make.” Jones, winked knowing exactly what the young lieutenant wanted.

  Dr. Feldman was attending to Brand when Commander Jameson turned to Blevins and asked, “Were you aware of this man’s condition?”

  “No sir,” came the answer, followed by a pause. “Hmmm . . . I have not been over to see him, just waiting to get more details on the case.”

  Jameson turned to Dr. Feldman, “What is the situation?”

  Feldman quickly responded in his best medical voice, “Looks like broken ribs, a broken right arm below the elbow, damage to both eyes, and possible internal injuries that will require x-rays and perhaps exploratory surgery.”

  Flannigan returned and told the doctor the ambulance should arrive in a few minutes. Feldman then told the commander, “Sir, I recommend we take him directly to the District Naval Hospital in San Diego on Coronado I
sland. They are much better equipped to make the diagnosis and have the expertise we need.”

  Commander Jameson agreed and told Blevins to inform the drivers of the ambulance.

  A few minutes later they placed Brand on a stretcher as gently as possible, loading him into the vehicle along with Dr. Feldman and Corporal Pride to ride along as a guard.

  Following the ambulance’s departure, Sergeant Jones approached Flannigan. “I have some information that may shed light on the situation.” Flannigan, still angry at what he has seen and heard, waves Jones on.

  “Seems,” Jones began, “that Dugard and Wright are old ass-kicking buddies who go way back. Wright found out about our boy dropping Dugard on the parade ground and decided to get even. Two of the brig marines handcuffed Brand while Wright beat him up against the bars of the cell with no way to defend himself. The private will testify to this, and the corporal will go along because they hate the son-of-a-bitch. They also said they had seen many more of these beatings since being stationed here. Both have been hit by Wright for not going along with his stories.”

  Flannigan, thinking aloud said, “I thought there was more to the story. If those two marines will testify and make a statement, we can clean up several lines of inquiry. But, Sergeant, who else knew of this and how did it get covered up for so long?”

  Sergeant Jones, knew he was on thin ice. “Sir, I think Commander Blevins knew, but I think that the good Sergeant Wright had something on him going way back. Not sure of anything particular but it smells funny to me.”

  “Sergeant, marine gunnery sergeants are known for ingenuity and the ability to do the impossible, and you have just provided us a way of getting our boy out of here and in one piece hopefully.”

  “Glad to be of assistance to any China marine, sir.” Jones smiled and walked to the door shielding the two eyewitnesses from the hated brig sergeant.

  Flannigan walked up to Commander Jameson who was asking more questions of Blevins and asked if he could have a moment of the commander’s time. “Sir, something has come up and if the commander will allow me a few moments?”

  Jameson was looking for an excuse to hit the smug base XO and walked down the hall with Flannigan. “Sir, I have the details you were looking for, and I think Blevins is complicit, but I don’t have any proof.” He quickly recounted Gunnery Sergeant Jones’ report and suspicions.

  “Okay, let’s do a few things first. I will call the admiral, tell him we are on our way, and give him a quick report on Brand. Next, I’ll tell Blevins that Sergeant Wright is to be held under house arrest and confined to barracks until we can investigate. Have Sergeant Jones get those two marines out of here and hole them up somewhere on base until we can get some reinforcements. We’ll keep Blevins occupied.”

  “Commander Blevins,” Jameson said in his commanding voice. “You are to place Sergeant Wright under immediate house arrest and confined to barracks pending an investigation. You will accompany us back to the base commander’s office for further discussion.”

  Shock washed over Blevins as he whispers to a marine lieutenant from base security who had arrived with the ambulance to place Wright under arrest. The lieutenant turned to two of his security detail, and they approached Wright who immediately yelled at Blevins, “Goddamn pansies, the son of a bitch had it coming, you know what will happen, Commander!” He continued yelling as they took him away.

  Returning to the base commander’s office, Commander Jameson entered with Flannigan. Jameson had called Admiral Bridges, from the brig to let him know of Brand’s condition. In turn, the admiral called the commanding officer of the naval hospital to alert him the ambulance was on the way and the young man was to be treated like a senior officer. In other words, the best doctors, best nurses, a private suite, and the senior physician was to personally inform him about Brand’s condition. Assured of at least some good news out of this mess, he anxiously awaited the arrival of his officers.

  Jameson spoke first. “Admiral, what happened to Brand is more than criminal, it was inhumane. The entire navy should be shocked by this situation. I believe Lieutenant Flannigan has more information on the situation.”

  Flannigan began his report with the information Sergeant Jones had pulled out of the two marines who were now happy to detail a long list of other injustices, beatings, and perhaps more. He also revealed that Blevins knew what was going on but that some form of blackmail was involved. He went on a few more seconds when the admiral put up his hand.

  “I’ve heard enough,” the admiral said and picked up the phone next to him. The call was immediately answered by the senior yeoman in the outer office.

  “Yeoman Carter, sir, how can I be of help?”

  “Yeoman, connect me to the senior JAG officer of the Twelfth Naval District. I think his name is Lee.”

  “Yes sir,” the yeoman said, “Please hold the line.”

  In a few minutes, the phone rang on the desk with the yeoman saying, “Sir, I have Commander Lee on the line, I will connect you.”

  “Admiral Bridges, this is Commander Lee. How may I be of service?”

  “Lee, I need you and at least two of your investigators to get over to the office of the commanding officer of the Recruit Depot and take charge of a hell of a mess.”

  “Sir, may I have more information on the need for an investigation?” Lee asked bravely.

  “No, Commander, you don’t need to know more until you show up here. Bring your two best gumshoes and make it fast.”

  “Aye, aye, Admiral, I will be there in fifteen minutes tops.”

  The phone went dead which did not surprise Admiral Bridges, for he had known Lee as a top investigator on his staff in D.C. when he was the JAG admiral.

  “Listen, men.” The admiral surveyed the room.

  “First, Flannigan, you wait here with your sergeants because we need your insights on the situation. Commander Jameson, you head down to the hospital and keep me informed of how the young man is doing. Tell that young Dr. Feldman he did a good job and tell him to stay with Brand. I will cut orders to ensure he is on this case until relieved by me.”

  “Haslett, get on the phone and tell the aviation boys I will not be flying out tomorrow. I want to stay here and make sure this mess is cleared up and Brand is going to recover. I do not want to be the one to tell Admiral King how screwed up this thing is until we get all the facts.”

  Everyone snapped to attention. “Aye, aye, Admiral.”

  Admiral Bridges liked this impromptu team but hated the situation. This is the kind of thing that is very bad for public relations and even worse for morale. There have always been sadistic SOBs in the service, but it was the job of the officer cadre to find out who they were and get them out of the service.

  After having a few words with Flannigan, Jameson left for the hospital in one of the staff cars. When he arrived, he located Dr. Feldman who gave him good news and bad news. “The bad news first,” the commander told Feldman.

  “Well, sir, in descending order of importance, Brand is in surgery with the top surgeon, formerly of Johns Hopkins Medical School. They are searching for bleeding, perhaps in the spleen area. We are not sure. We have pumped him with blood, but his blood pressure is still dropping so there may be a bleeder. We should know soon. He has three broken ribs that will mend, but it will be painful for some time. His lower arm below the elbow joint was broken in two places, but it was an easy job to set, and he should have no major problems. The good news is that his eyes are just bruised heavily, and it appears he will not have any sight issues. His nose was broken which we reset. He has enough bruises and cuts to kill a normal person, but he is in remarkable physical shape which allowed him to endure this torture. I had a photographer’s mate take photos of his injuries where he was handcuffed and tied by his feet. This is one of the worse cases of abuse I have ever seen as a physician.”

  “Doctor, you have done a wonderful job, and I want to thank you for everything. The Admiral has ordered you to stay with Br
and and your commanding officer knows of these orders so do not worry about anything but Brand.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Feldman said. “I would like to stay with him and make sure everything is in good order before he leaves the hospital. He will need to be handled with care for some time based of course on what Dr. Lansky finds out during surgery.”

  Jameson, again said, “Thank you, Doc, for all you have done. If not for your diligence in investigating Dugard, we may have lost our young man.”

  “No problem, sir. I meant to ask you and Lieutenant Flannigan, what is so special about this young recruit that has an Admiral and a team of officers here in the first place?”

  Commander Jameson smiled and stated calmly, “Well, Doc, perhaps you’ll find out soon, but for right now be assured you are doing your part for the war effort. In other words, you do not have the need to know.”

  Feldman looked at the commander with his slightly askew smile that he used to such great effect. “Rest assured, your young Mr. Brand will be well taken care of, and I do hope to find out what is going on.”

  Commander Jameson said, “That may come sooner than you think, Doc. And you might like the answer to those questions.”

  Jameson excused himself to call the admiral and report the status of Brand. He made a second call to Washington to notify his boss of the situation and to advise him to stand by to help, in case Admiral Bridges had trouble cleaning up the mess caused by the altercation, beatings, and cover-ups at the base.

  Commander Lee and two investigators reported as promised to Admiral Bridges. Bridges was glad to have someone on the case that he personally knew and trusted. “Commander, you are very prompt, and I do appreciate it.”

  Lee said, “Sir, it is a pleasure to meet you again. I would like to introduce to you Agents Rains and Johnston.”

  Bridges nodded at each man and said, “Glad to have you gentlemen on board and it is good to have you on this case, Commander.”