Chapter 22: The Silver Star
"You're talking nonsense now, Malarkey," Guarnere said with a laugh, puffing out his chest with pride. A feeling of triumph swelled in the chests of all the men, so much so that they almost forgot their pain and exhaustion.
"They completed the 118-mile march in just 72 hours, despite the harsh weather with rain and snow along the way," Lieutenant Colonel Strayer said in a low voice to Colonel Sink. "They completely defeated those arrogant Japs."
Sink nodded. "I'm proud of them."
In front of Colonel Sink stood the men of Second Battalion. Though exhausted, they all stood ramrod straight. The square was packed with cheering crowds, and reporters held up their cameras and newsreels. After being covered by the media, the battalion's march had become a focus of national attention.
With the Japanese rampaging across the Pacific, America needed heroic teams and individuals. This was the perfect moment to promote this group of heroes. The entire American population needed the courage to fight back, to repel the increasingly rampant Japanese forces in the Pacific and the seemingly invincible German army in Europe.
Colonel Sink gave a brief speech to the men of Second Battalion in the square. He was full of confidence and high spirits, but no one could fault him for it. These weary soldiers needed their spirits lifted.
"You will be an invincible group that will guide the American people in their pursuit of victory! Today, we have defeated those arrogant fools. This shows what a heroic unit you are, and what heroic soldiers you are!" Sink concluded, bringing his arm down in a powerful, chopping motion.
"To commend the officers and enlisted men who performed exceptionally during this long-distance march, Major Horton, First Lieutenant Winters, and Staff Sergeant Parks will be awarded the Silver Star. Private Malarkey will be awarded the Purple Heart," Colonel Sink announced.
The four men stepped forward from the ranks, their heads held high. Colonel Sink and Lieutenant Colonel Strayer personally presented them with their medals.
"I expect even greater things from Second Battalion, Major," Sink said, pinning the medal on Major Horton's chest. They saluted and shook hands.
"You will get them, sir!" Horton replied loudly.
Sink walked to Lieutenant Winters, a smile on his face. "I have always believed you were a fine soldier, and I was not mistaken. Keep up the good work, Lieutenant. Our army needs officers like you."
Winters gave a solemn salute and leaned forward slightly as the Colonel pinned the medal on his chest.
"Staff Sergeant Parks," Sink said, stopping in front of Rhys and looking at him with an intriguing smile.
"Sir!" Rhys raised his hand in a perfect military salute.
Sink pinned the medal on his chest, then clapped him on the shoulder. "Staff Sergeant, you are the best soldier I have seen in the 506th. You are outstanding, you have great team spirit, and you have made a tremendous contribution to the entire group. I believe you deserve a great deal of the credit for this march. Keep up the good work. I hope to have the chance to personally award you many more medals."
"Thank you, sir," Rhys said, puffing out his chest. "I'm sure you will have the opportunity."
"Well then, good luck to you," Colonel Sink said, extending his hand. The reporters, who had been waiting for this moment, began snapping pictures, their flashbulbs flashing incessantly. The image was frozen in time. This was the spiritual nourishment the American people needed most, and the photograph of the soldier named Parks shaking hands with Colonel Sink would become a front-page headline in newspapers across the country.
This was also the result Colonel Sink had wanted. Fame and influence were also necessary outcomes of this march.
Malarkey was also commended, and he felt as if he were in a dream. After the ceremony, many people came up to congratulate him.
"This is like a dream," Malarkey said to White. "I just managed to walk the whole way. I never thought I'd be so lucky as to get a commendation. Colonel Sink is really generous."
"Heh, Malarkey, you haven't even been to the battlefield yet and you've already got a Purple Heart. It must feel pretty good to get a medal, especially from the Colonel himself," White said, a little jealous.
"Why couldn't you have gotten injured or something, and then walked the whole way like me?" Malarkey said, ignoring White's sour tone. "And don't just look at me. Parks got a Silver Star."
***
Rhys was a bit surprised about receiving the Silver Star himself, but a conversation with Winters cleared things up. He met with him and Lieutenant Nixon in Winters's quarters.
"You must have some questions, Staff Sergeant," Nixon said with a smile, pouring a glass of liquor for Rhys as was his custom.
"Yes, Lieutenant," Rhys nodded.
"It's because you made an outstanding contribution to Second Battalion," Winters said, gesturing for him to sit down. "Colonel Sink's original plan anticipated that thirty to forty men would be unable to complete the march due to the harsh weather."
"And in the end, it was less than ten," Nixon said, taking a sip of his drink. "The result was a pleasant surprise. Later, when Major Horton submitted the medal recommendation for you, Colonel Sink was full of praise."
Winters smiled then, too. "And because I recommended you to Major Horton in a timely manner, I also received a medal. So, I have you to thank for it."
Rhys knew Winters was just expressing his gratitude and goodwill. He knew that even without the recommendation, Winters would have received a medal from the Colonel. Colonel Sink had a very good impression of him, and he was a man who followed his own judgment. That was what was important.
"Colonel Sink wants to see you," Winters said after a pause.
"What?" Rhys was surprised. This would be the second time the Colonel had summoned him personally. It was a rare thing for a colonel to summon an enlisted soldier twice.
"Yes, there are some things he wants to ask you. You should go. To the temporary regimental command post," Nixon said with a nod. "It's a good thing, probably because of the contribution you made to the march."
"Thank you, Lieutenants," Rhys said, standing to leave.
***
That Sink wanted to see him again was very unexpected. Under normal circumstances, a high-ranking officer would not repeatedly summon a soldier directly unless there was a special situation.
"Staff Sergeant Parks, it's good to see you again," Colonel Sink said from inside the command post. He and Lieutenant Colonel Strayer were drinking coffee. He stood up happily as Rhys entered.
"Yes, sir. It's good to see you too," Rhys said, his face serious as he stood at attention.
"At ease, Staff Sergeant. You don't need to be so tense," Sink said with a smile, gesturing for him to relax.
"Through my observations these past few days, I have found you to be a very outstanding soldier," Colonel Sink said. "Did you know that you are now a national celebrity?"
"Sir?" Rhys looked at him, confused.
Lieutenant Colonel Strayer walked over, picked up a few newspapers from a table, and handed them to Rhys.
"Take a look, son. You've got a big picture of yourself in these papers," Strayer said with a smile. "The 'Los Angeles Times', 'The Saturday Evening Post', and the famous 'Wall Street Journal'. You're their darling right now."
"Sir?" Rhys took the papers, looking at Sink and Strayer with a bewildered expression. He knew he might get some media attention, but to be noticed by such influential publications and circulated all over America was truly unexpected.
"Here's the situation. You know that ever since the Japs sneak-attacked us at Pearl Harbor, the American people have been plagued by defeatism. That's a result President Roosevelt does not want to see. Although we trounced the Japs at the Battle of Midway, the road to victory will be long, dark, and painful," Colonel Sink said with a smile. "Right now, America needs heroes, Parks."
Rhys understood. He nodded and said to the Colonel, "Then, sir, what do you need me to do?"
"Therefore, I am temporarily reassigning you from your duties," Colonel Sink said. "The duration is thirty days. You will be going to Washington, New York, and other places to promote the government's war bonds."
This meant he would have to leave Easy Company. Although Rhys was reluctant, he had to obey the order. If he went on a bond tour, he would become even more famous, which would lead to more opportunities for promotion. But to leave his brothers in Easy Company like this… he couldn't bear the thought.
"Sir," Rhys said, frowning. "I… I have to leave Easy Company? Leave my brothers?"
Colonel Sink saw his reluctance and nodded with satisfaction. "Normally, if you were to go on a tour like this, your position would be reassigned by Division. But if you are reluctant to leave your brothers, I will make a request to the higher-ups. It's possible you could come back. Don't worry about your position, Parks."
Rhys nodded, then said to Sink, "Thank you, sir."
"Don't mention it. You've earned it," Sink said. "Alright, that's all for our talk today. I imagine if you're leaving tomorrow, you'll have some things to pack."
Lieutenant Colonel Strayer opened the door. Rhys saluted, and then walked out.
*****
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