"Good God," he exclaimed. "It's a man in a life jacket."
"No shit?" MMM3 Granzichek asked, reaching for the binoculars. A moment later, he reported, "I think he's dead. He's not moving or waving or anything."
"May I have a look now, please?" Ensign Strawbridge asked, a trifle petulantly. Granzichek handed him the binoculars.
"How would you say, Granzichek," Captain Hawley asked, "would be the best way to take him on board?"
Granzichek, Captain Hawley reasoned, had been aboard PT 110 for three and a half months. He himself had assumed command only last Monday. Experience tells.
"Pull up alongside him, catch him with a boat hook, and then get a line on him," Granzichek said.
"Very well, then let's have a go at it," Captain Hawley ordered.
URGENT
CONFIDENTIAL FROM PTSQUADRON-30
TO COMMANDING OFFICER VMF-229
VIA CINCPAC
1. PT 110 OF THIS SQUADRON RECOVERED AT SEA AT 0530 THIS MORNING CAPTAIN CHARLES M.
GALLOWAY, USMCR.
2. CAPTAIN GALLOWAY IS SUFFERING FROM EXPOSURE AND DEHYDRATION BUT IS OTHERWISE IN GOOD
HEALTH. HE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO HOSPITAL SHIP USS CONSOLATION
BY DIRECTION:
JB. SUMERS, LTCOM USNR
The End
W E B Griffin - Corp 04 - Battleground Page 56