The McLaughlin Chronicles: an Officer and a Gentleman

Corporal Miller knocked on Lieutenant McLaughlin’s door five minutes later. Sergeant Anderson was, apparently an efficiency expert. The young Corporal didn’t say all that much as he walked through the room taking all of his former CO’s stuff. It would not have surprised McLaughlin at all if Anderson warned Miller against talking before he sent him. McLaughlin had experienced sergeants of that type before.

About a half an hour later, Anderson came to the door. He entered after McLaughlin told him to. “Forgive me, sir,” he said. “Sergeant Gates is arriving with his unit now, sir.”

“Everything ok?”

“I think they were hit, sir,” Anderson said frankly. “I don’t know how bad.”

McLaughlin got to his feet, putting aside a book he was reading. “Let’s see if we can give a hand, then.” He grabbed the pistol that was laying on the bed next to him and tucked it into his waistband.

“Yes, sir.”

Gates’ unit was hit, and pretty bad. Three of the were already dead on arrival, and double that were wounded. The platoon’s station was on a slight uphill. There were sandbag emplacements all around the huts that were set up for the platoon. The medic and two assistants Gates’ unit just as they passed by one of the sandbagged machine guns. McLaughlin and Anderson raced up to help as well. They took a man who was being supported almost entirely by another, who was carrying the man’s gear, plus his own. The supporter looked like he was going to collapse himself. Anderson and McLaughlin carried the man all the way back to the medic’s hut.

The hut was soon bustling with activity. The platoon would loose one more soldier that night and would have to send two wounded away on the trucks the next morning. McLaughlin did not bother to approach Bates that night. He figured the man had gone through a lot today, than to have to talk to his new commanding officer. McLaughlin remembered when he met his former senior NCO for the first time. He remembered how dirty the man was, as he had just finished filling some sandbags. He remembered how respectful the sergeant was, but he also remembered the look on his face. The look that said: “Oh my God-another one to deal with!” McLaughlin did not want to do that to Sergeant Bates.

to be continued...

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