Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: At Wit’s End (02/13/14)
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TITLE: Sergeant Waycaster | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert Douglas Brown
02/18/14 -
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Gunnery Sergeant, Curtis Waycaster, had arrived in the Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam on June 6, 1967, after spending the past 6 years as a Marine Drill Instructor at Parish Island, South Carolina. Over 85% of the troops he trained wound up in Vietnam as combat Marines. Sergeant Waycaster had been awarded 7 times, for having the best trained Marines in the combat zones in South Vietnam. This was determined by having the highest total of soldier survival rates and successful combat mission completions. Sergeant Waycaster had a deep love and dedication for his troops during and after basic training. With each new group of recruits, Sergeant Waycaster brought them together, and informed them of what would happen for the next 12 weeks.
After Sergeant Waycaster read the platoons their right acts, he quickly changed from Atilla the Hun, to the Pope in demeanor. He asked his platoon who believed in God. Nearly all of the 32 men raised their hands except one. The lone person was a tall young man who appeared to be maybe 19, or 20 years old. He was the tallest man in the platoon, at least 6 foot and 6 inches, and around 200 lbs. Sergeant Waycaster told the platoon that with God’s help, the next 12 weeks would be a time of learning how to be a Marine.
Week one of training, was a grueling crucible for the young troops. As he promised, week one of boot camp was probably the most difficult week in their young life. As he promised, Sergeant Waycaster was in their face and on their case nearly 24/7. At the end of each grueling day, Sergeant Waycaster would walk among his troops at lights out, and tell them that God was watching after each soldier. As boot camp came to an end, his platoon was awarded the best platoon out of the 12 platoons in basic training. This was no surprise to the brass, in that Sergeant Waycaster’s past platoons were among the best of the best.
Finally, the platoon made it to graduation and all but 3 successfully made it through the harrowing training to become a Marine. Sergeant Waycaster met with his platoon right after the graduation Ceremony to inform them of their immediate future. The room became silent when Sergeant Waycaster informed the platoon that they would be going to Vietnam as a whole platoon, and that he would be their field NCO. The room went silent until one of the troops stood up and said “If I have to go to Nam, I know God has given us the best Marine to help us through any battle.” All in the room stood up and gave Sergeant Waycaster a round of applause and a “Hoorah.”
The troops landed in Saigon, on a hot rainy evening. The platoon, along with 12 other Marine Companies, quickly moved into the jungle of the Mekong Delta. Sergeant Waycaster’s Platoon was broken into 3 squads of men. The fighting was horrific over the next 3 weeks with 5 Marines receiving serious injuries, but no fatalities. It was evident that Sergeant Waycaster’s troops were out performing every new platoon that came from boot camp completion at Paris Island.
Things were going as planned for Sergeant Waycaster’s platoon, until an unforeseen influx of nearly 100,000 Communist Chinese soldiers arrived in South Vietnam. This dramatically changed the battle field with pushing the total of communist troops to over 750,000, compared to 675,000, American and South Vietnam troops.
Around 3:00 am, Sergeant Waycaster briefly met with his troops about 15 minutes before 18 companies of communist troops flooded the battlefield. He knew things were at wit’s end, but knew that God was in control. All troops formed a circle with Sergeant Waycaster in the middle. He said a brief prayer for his men, and asked if there were any soldiers who wanted to give their heart to the Lord.
The tallest Marine in his platoon raised his hand, as tears streamed down his face; Private Steinbrooks gave his life to the Lord. It was exactly 6:12 am when Private Saul Steinbrooks was shot multiple times while saving the life of many soldiers in his platoon; by allowing them the split second they needed to dig in and fight the enemy. When the dust had settled, the lives of 24 of the 32 Marines were saved through Private Steinbrooks’ heroism.
This article is fiction
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One thing we talk a lot about here in trying to help nurture each other along in our writing, is showing the story rather than telling it. It's not always easy. One suggestion is to try and show what your characters are feeling by their facial expressions, body language, etc. You could show fear, trepidation, national pride, relief etc. all by what they do and how they look.
I hope that helps a little. Keep the great stories coming!