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He was shivering.
Malaria, the pilot decided. "Where are we?" the Army captain asked.
"Alameda Naval Air Station," the pilot said.
"San Francisco. "Well, I guess we have cheated death again," the Army captain said. "As soon as we get these mailbags loaded in the boat, we'll take you ashore. "Where's the brass?"
"They're gone," the pilot said. "Good," the Army captain said.
"I somehow got the feeling they didn't approve of me."
"Is there anything I can get you?" the pilot asked. "You wouldn't happen to have a bottle around here anywhere, would you? "No, but I know where we can get you one once you're ashore," the pilot said.
"Where are you headed in the States?"
"Washington," the Army captain said. "I'll take you to base cps and arrange for another flight," the pilot said.
"I gather you've got a priority?"
"Do I ever," the captain said. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Why not?"
"How come the pilot's wings and the cavalry insignia?" The captain looked coldly at him for a moment. "Nosy bastard, aren't you? " "Curious," the pilot said with a smile. The Army officer was drunk.
People got belligerent when they were drunk. "The way they're running this war," the captain said, "is that when you run out of airplanes, they put you on a horse. And then, when you have to eat the horse, they find something else for you to do."
"You were in the Philippines? The captain nodded. "Bad?"
"Very bad, Lieutenant, very bad indeed," the Army captain said.
The pilot gave him his hand and pulled the captain to his feet.
"I'd like to keep the blankets for a while," he said.
"Okay?"
"Sure," the pilot said.
They loaded the Army captain into the work boat. Then he sat huddled under the blankets while the mailbags were loaded aboard and the plane was towed to its mooring. After that the work boat delivered them to the amphibious ramp, where a pickup waited. When they walked into base ops, the Army captain made an effort to straighten up, but he did not remove the blankets from his shoulders. Then he spotted a pay telephone. "Can I mooch a nickel?" he asked. "I think they would prefer you report in," the pilot said. "Fuck 'em," the captain said matter-of-factly.
"They can wait. I have a call to make."
"Then why don't you give me your orders?" the pilot asked as he handed the captain a nickel." I'll get the bureaucracy working." The captain went into his hip pocket for his orders. As he did so, the pilot saw that he had the old revolver in his waistband. "Thanks," the captain said.
"The call is important." The pilot was handed only one sheet, instead of the stack of mimeograph copies he expected. He gave in to his curiosity as he approached the Continuing Passengers counter unfolded it, and read:
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS SOUTHWEST PACIFIC OCEAN AREA BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA Office of the Supreme Commander 28 March 1942
SUBJECT: Letter Orders TO: Captain James M. B. Whittaker 0 1 97644 A-AC (Det CAV) office of the Supreme Commander, SWPOA a n 1. Verbal orders of the Supreme Commander re your relief from 105th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment, Philippine Scouts, in the field, and assigning you to Supreme Headquarters are confirmed and made a matter of record 2.
You will proceed (Priority AAA-A-1) via first available U.S. Government, Allied Powers, or civilian air, sea, rail, or motor transportation from Brisbane, Australia, to Washington, D.C." for the purpose of personally delivering to the Commander in Chief certain documents herewith placed in your custody.
3. Commanders of U.S. military installations are directed to provide to you whatever facilities and services are needed for the expeditious discharge of your mission, 4. After you have personally delivered the documents now in your custody to the Commander in Chief, you will report to Headquarte U.S. Army, Washington, D.C." for further assignment.
BY ORDER OF GENERAL DOUGLAS MacArthur:
C4ilx4 A. W@4-ty Charles A. Willoughby Brig. General, USA Official:
