Chapter 35: Meeting Again
The exercise, pitting a "Red Army" against a "Blue Army," was conducted in a vast, remote, and heavily forested area of hills and mountains. Easy Company performed three parachute jumps. But jumping in the mountains was far worse than on the plains. The last jump, in particular, was a painfully unforgettable experience for the brothers of Easy Company.
The C-47 transport planes were tossed about violently by the thermal updrafts rising from the mountains. Everyone on board felt terrible. Bull Randleman was sitting in the innermost—and most cramped—seat, so he was the first to lose his battle with nausea.
"I can't hold it," was all he said before he vomited. The sour, rotten smell immediately filled the stuffy cabin. The other men just glanced at him before they too were unable to hold back, and began to throw up. When the green light finally came on, everyone leaped out of the plane with desperate urgency. Of course, that wasn't the end of it. They still had long treks, river crossings, night marches, and attacks on enemy camps. By the time the exercise was over, every man was caked in filth and gave off a smell like something had rotted.
But just as the exercise concluded, Easy Company was notified that the division commander, Major General William C. Lee, was coming to commend them personally. This news excited many of the men.
When Rhys heard this, he knew that the former Brigadier General Lee had been promoted. The performance of the airborne division had been recognized by the higher-ups, and that was the main reason for his promotion.
"Men of Easy Company, you have shown tenacious and outstanding performance, sound tactical principles, and you are clearly well-trained soldiers," General Lee said, looking at the group of extremely fatigued but high-spirited men. "In the trials to come, your excellent training and leadership will be further demonstrated."
The brothers of Easy Company stood with their heads held high and their chests out, their posture ramrod straight. They had absolute respect for Major General Lee, and his words filled them with even greater morale and courage.
Colonel Sink and Major Horton, who were accompanying him, looked even more pleased. Sink's face was even flushed with pride. This was an honor for the entire regiment. He, too, saw the fighting spirit of the men of Easy and was deeply proud of their performance.
After the formation was dismissed and the officers had left, many of the men were still buzzing with excitement. They felt that to receive this recognition, all the hardships they had endured were worth it. Even the normally quiet Roy Cobb showed a rare smile.
"That's our commander," Cobb said, almost smugly. "You know, when he smiled at me, I can't even be sure if I was supposed to smile back."
Guarnere, standing nearby, said in a mockingly sarcastic tone, "Cobb, he smiled at "you"? I thought he was smiling at me. Don't be so full of yourself. Major General Lee was smiling at all of us."
Cobb was about to argue back when a sergeant, a runner from regimental headquarters, walked over and shouted, "Do any of you know where Staff Sergeant Rhys Parks is?"
"Parks!" Cobb yelled toward the barracks.
The barracks door opened, and Rhys walked out. He had clearly been sleeping; he was still fastening the buttons on his collar. The sergeant saluted him. "Staff Sergeant Rhys Parks, E Company, 506th?"
"Yes. Is there something I can do for you, Sergeant?" Rhys asked, finally finishing with his collar and straightening his tie. He was a bit surprised. This sergeant didn't look like a company runner; he thought he had seen him at regimental HQ before.
"Orders from Colonel Sink, sir. You are to report to regimental headquarters at 14:30," the sergeant relayed.
"Alright, Sergeant. I'll be there on time," Rhys nodded.
"To the regiment?" a voice came from behind him. Rhys turned to see White, who had come out of the barracks at some point. "It's probably not anything bad." White was always concerned about Rhys's affairs. After all, in Easy Company, their relationship was the best, at least in White's opinion.
"Don't worry, Parks! If you get another medal, remember to buy us beer!" Bull Randleman shouted from the side, raising his cigar.
"Oh—Bull, just try not to puke up the beer you drink this time, or it'll be a waste!" Christenson called out. He was the only one who hadn't gotten sick on the plane, so he was smugly teasing Randleman about it.
Rhys just smiled as he watched them joke around. He then straightened his uniform, wanting to look his best when he appeared at regimental HQ. He had no idea why he was being summoned this time, but he figured it couldn't be bad news.
***
"Staff Sergeant Rhys Parks, E Company, 506th, reporting as ordered!" Rhys said loudly, striding into the regimental command post and saluting the men inside.
"At ease, Staff Sergeant," Colonel Sink said, walking over with a broad smile. He turned and introduced the man beside him. "This is General Lee. I believe you've already met."
There were several other men in the room. The only one Rhys recognized was Lieutenant Colonel Strayer. There were a few other lieutenant colonels and majors he didn't know, and of course, a general he did recognize: General Lee.
"General," Rhys said, taking a step forward and snapping to attention to salute him.
"At ease, Staff Sergeant," General Lee said, looking very pleased. He had already stood up and, as Rhys saluted, he very formally returned the salute. This was a rare occurrence, and even Colonel Sink looked slightly surprised.
"We're old friends, after all," the General said, shaking Rhys's hand. He then gestured for him to sit down. "I was coming to speak with the men anyway, so I thought I would take the opportunity to see you as well, young man. Your performance in New York left a deep impression on me."
"Thank you, General," Rhys replied cautiously.
General Lee nodded. "How do you feel, being back with your unit? I heard you designed an assault rifle. I never knew you had such talents. You truly are an important asset to the army," he said, his tone half-joking.
Rhys was not surprised that the General knew about his rifle design. Virginia must have contacted him, probably hoping to use him as a way to find a place for her new rifle.
"Yes, General," Rhys said, choosing his words carefully. "As you know, the training in the camp is very intense, but I still have enough free time to work on things that interest me." Rhys had no intention of trying to sell his gun or any other ideas in this setting. That would be unwise.
"What do you think of your situation now?" General Lee asked with a smile. "I mean, this training life, and your time with your brothers."
"It's excellent, sir. I feel that this training makes us stronger and more agile, and one day we will use the skills we are learning now to eliminate the Krauts. And I feel very comfortable. Being with my brothers is a wonderful feeling. I truly enjoy that sense of brotherhood, General," Rhys answered calmly.
"Good. Keep it up, Parks," General Lee said, standing up.
Rhys knew this was his cue to leave. He also stood, took a few steps back, saluted the men in the room, and walked out. It had just been a few simple questions, nothing of substance. Rhys didn't dwell on why the General wanted to see him. Was it just because of the impression he had made in New York? Nor did he wonder why the meeting had just been a few routine questions, with no in-depth discussion. Rhys straightened his uniform and headed back to the company area.
***
"He is a fine soldier," General Lee said, sitting back down after Rhys was gone. He nodded with a smile and turned to Colonel Sink. "And an impressive one."
"Yes, General. In every aspect of training, he always shows his best side. And he has a deep affection for this team. I believe the vast majority of our men are just like him," Sink said in agreement.
"That is to your credit, Colonel Sink," General Lee said with a smile and a nod. "To be able to unite the soldiers and overcome so many difficulties is in itself a matter of pride. I am proud of you."
"Thank you, General," Sink said, standing up excitedly.
"Alright, Colonel. My work here is basically finished. What I need you to do now is to continue this excellent tradition. Train more outstanding NCOs and soldiers like Parks. On the future battlefields, they will be the Army's most valuable asset."
The exercise had been a great success for the 506th. Their performance was the most outstanding in the 101st Airborne Division, which was why they had earned the General's commendation. And after his conversation with the General, Colonel Sink also placed a new emphasis on the development of grassroots NCOs. And Rhys was, without a doubt, one who had left a deep impression on him.
"I remember, I believe Lieutenant Winters wrote a recommendation report, which was passed on by Major Horton," Colonel Sink finally said to Lieutenant Colonel Strayer after some thought. He had finally remembered the matter.
"Yes, Colonel," Strayer nodded. "What are your plans for it?"
"Send it back down. Give it to Captain Sobel and have him review it. Then it can be submitted to the battalion, and then passed on to the regiment by Major Horton," Colonel Sink said thoughtfully. "Even for a recommendation, we must follow the proper procedure. Those are the rules." Yes, those were the rules. Otherwise, Winters's report would not have been shelved by Sink for so long. That was the reason.
*****
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