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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Right and Left (07/31/14)
“You people should be at attention. You make me want to send you back to momma on the next train. What makes you think you will get a weekend pass? Well let’s see. What is your name soldier?” “John Trandon Sir”, spoke the nervous private. “Your bayonet looks like you threw it down the latrine,” spoke Captain Backmon with a snarl in his voice. “Your weekend pass is revoked private.”
Captain Lucious Backmon was his usual self. The past 6 Fridays resulted in Bravo Company losing their weekend pass while fellow soldiers of the 588th Battalion headed off base to watch a movie, or just relax after completing a grueling week of 16 hour days. There were 9 companies in the 588th Battalion, and Bravo Company was the only company that consistently had its weekend passes revoked. However, a few in Bravo Company knew this was what it would take to prepare them for what lay ahead.
The young men were training to be the absolute best of the best soldiers, so that the man on his right and left could be counted on in any situation they faced on the battlefield.
This program involved 2 years of grueling training that pushed the best of the best men to their absolute limits. This was an all volunteer unit that merged the best infantry and airborne training. Only 10% in the program made it to graduation. These elite soldiers were airborne Infantry soldiers, and the best of the best soldiers on the battlefield.
After 2 years of the most strenuous training in the history of the US Army, the men of the 588th were ready to take on any enemy soldier they encountered.
Adam Winthrop was a part of the training program that prepared men to become commissioned officers. This training was a year in length. On successful completion of the grueling training, they were given a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army.
1st Lieutenant Adam Winthrop, had recently been promoted from 2nd Lieutenant, and was now the Executive Officer of Bravo Company. Captain Backmon was very suspicious of Winthrop, and felt threatened.
“Lt. Winthrop, what are you doing to my company? The men do follow orders, but with a high degree of trepidation.” “With due respect sir, these men are razor sharp and combat ready. Colonel Younger stated this in his last observation of Bravo Company.” said Lt. Winthrop respectfully.
“In 2 weeks Lieutenant, these men will jump behind enemy lines ready for fighting.”
Captain Backmon walked away from Winthrop knowing that the Lieutenant was right. The night of the invasion, the weather was stormy, with marginal conditions for 1,200 men to parachute behind enemy lines.
“So it begins,” thought Winthrop. Nearly 100, L4 military transport planes, took off from airstrips throughout the UK.
Once the planes entered the vast German defense fortifications along the Normandy Coast of France, intense anti-aircraft flak peppered the night sky with deadly accuracy. This resulted in a fiery death for many elite soldiers that never got to fight for their country.
As the men prepared to board the transport planes, they were given strict orders for there to be only 1 commissioned officer among the 12 paratroopers making the big jump.
Lt. Winthrop and Captain Backmon were the first officers to land behind enemy lines along with 15 paratroopers.
“Is that you Lt. Winthrop? Please identify yourself.” “Sir, this is Winthrop, are you injured sir? “Yes Lieutenant, I think I broke my leg.
Winthrop knew that the captain could not move due to his condition. “Sir, I am going to find help for you ASAP.
Winthrop did something that he knew must do. “Sir, I am going to say a prayer over you. Dear Lord, I ask that you keep Captain Backmon safe, and help my men to find medical help for my captain.”
Winthrop was now in tears, and the captain soon joined him. “If I live to tell this story, I will become a better soldier and will trust God to help me be the leader that I have failed to do so because of my attitude and distrust towards you and the men in Bravo Company.” quietly spoke Captain Backmon.
From that day, a bond of trust and camaraderie grew between the captain, Lt. Winthrop, and the men of Bravo Company. In 1965, Colonel Backmon and Lt. Colonel Winthrop were buried in a military cemetery as good friends and the best soldiers in the 588th.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
08/09/14
Your war stories are always moving and resonate with compassion and warmth for those you write about. You have a gift from God, and I'm glad you're using it...well done my friend.

Keep shining His light.

God bless~
Toni Babcock 
08/10/14
Great war story - thanks for sharing. At the end, in the final dialogue using 'failed to be' may read easier for the reader to grasp in the context of the sentence than 'failed to do so' - just a suggestion.
Phillip Cimei
08/11/14
Good story telling buddy,

I would suggest that you make a new paragraph when the speaker changes.

God bless.
Julene Celander
08/12/14
You are too hard on yourself my friend!
This is a compassionate, well told story with a sincere message.
Keep writing your good messages as you show us intimate details of WWII.
God is greatly needed on the battlefield of war and life!!
God Bless you always.
lynn gipson 
08/12/14
As always, you leave the reader wanting more. This is a fantastic war story with a powerful and strong message. Your storytelling is superb.

Keep the faith, and keep writing!

Blessings....
Sheldon Bass 
08/12/14
Excellent story telling! You covered a lot of ground with such a short word count limit. I noticed you missed a few quotation marks, but I missed one in mine also. I think there are punctuation gremlins that come and steal them away. :-)

I enjoyed this piece immensely. Your style has really developed and I know you have an eager audience out there, who are going to love your stories. Keep up the great work!