Chapter Two - War
August 1964
Danny Jr. was sitting on his bed, adjusting the controls on a radio. The reception was terrible. Amid constant noise and static in the background, Danny Jr. managed to catch the news broadcast, read by a dispassionate sounding newsreader who was droning out the latest developments of the Vietnam War in a monotone.
"President Lyndon B. Johnson has just announced that two U.S. destroyers have been attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, off the coast of North Vietnam. In an official statement, the President said that the attacks were unprovoked and probably deliberate, although the responsible parties are as yet unknown. Meanwhile, North Vietnam remains the dominant side in the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong now control about 70 percent of South Vietnam's population. However, the South Vietnamese government continues to resist takeover. This has been Pete Miller, for Radio Honolulu News at 7. Have a pleasant evening."
Danny Jr. flicked off the radio, feeling sick. He marvelled at how Pete Miller could sound so detached. To him, the Vietnam War was a revival of America's war-torn days. It was war that had caused his father's death, he thought, feeling slightly angry. Part of him wanted to go out there, fight, make his father proud. The other part just never wanted to see a war at all.
He slumped down on the bed. "It isn't like I have a choice, right?" he muttered to himself.
Tyler walked into the room. "Hey Danny, something wrong?" he asked, with a concerned expression.
Danny Jr. looked over at Tyler. There was a few years' age difference between them - Danny Jr. was older - but the difference sometimes seemed much greater. Tyler had such a youthful face, with wide, eager eyes and an earnest smile. He shook his head. "Nothing," he sighed. "Just listening to the radio."
"Listening to the radio can get you this down?" Tyler asked incredulously.
Danny Jr. forced a smile. "I'm fine, Ty. I'm perfectly fine."
Tyler looked at him dubiously. "If you say so."
"Well, I say so," Danny Jr. tried to assure him.
"You were listening to the radio - you must have caught the news, right, Danny?" asked Tyler. He sounded excited.
"I heard the news. So what? It's just more talk about the Vietnam War," said Danny Jr. nonchalantly. No way am I going to let Ty see how freaked out I am by this, he thought to himself.
"Listen, guess what!" Tyler said. "There's a rumour flyin' about that they're gonna order an air attack on North Vietnam. If that's true I'm definitely volunteering. So's Henry." He punched his fist into his hand. "We'll show the Viet Cong who's boss."
Danny Jr. didn't say a word. His mind reeled. An air attack? So it was coming true. He was going to be pulled into this war sooner or later. "Is it going to be mandatory?" he asked finally.
Tyler shrugged. "Well, whether or not it is, I'm going for sure. If they let me." He looked slightly worried. "You will be going too, right?"
"I suppose so, Ty," said Danny Jr. in a forced voice. He got up and walked to the door. "I'm going out for a walk."
"Want me to come along?" Tyler offered. "We can phone Henry."
"Thanks, Tyler, but no," Danny Jr. replied.
Tyler didn't look satisfied, but he let it go. "Come back soon, okay?"
Danny Jr. nodded, and went out before Tyler could change his mind. The fresh night air was welcoming and gentle. Although summer would fade into autumn before long, the nights still felt pleasantly warm. He jammed his hands into his pockets and walked down the street, eyes on the floor, oblivious to the other people around him.
Should I volunteer? he wondered. That's practically going out and making myself a target for trouble. Then again, this is war. And I want to make Daddy proud of me. I don't want him to think I'm some kinda wimp. He looked up instinctively, as if hoping to see his father appear before him. But there was nobody.
"Dammit, Walker, get a grip," he said to himself, under his breath, even laughing a little. "You owe it to Daddy to fight. You owe it to Uncle Rafe. You're going wherever they tell you to, and you do whatever they tell you to."
He felt a little more settled, but also a little more...disturbed. He'd made a decision. He just hoped it was the right one.
***
Rafe sat in his office, reading a telegram that had just come from Washington. His face was worried.
There was a knock at his door. He looked up. "Come in."
The door opened, and Danny Jr. entered. "Hi, Uncle Rafe," he said softly.
"Danny! You're just the person I needed," Rafe said. "Go find all the pilots in your division and get them to Hangar Two immediately for a briefing. Attendance is mandatory."
"Is this an order, Uncle R — uh, sir?" Danny Jr. asked.
"Yes, Walker, this is an order."
Danny Jr. saluted and ran out the door.
Rafe sighed. He hated it that he had to send Danny Jr. to do an errand boy's work, especially when he'd obviously come in with something important to discuss. But the message from Washington was absolutely clear.
PREPARE AIR FORCE FOR ATTACK ON NORTH VIETNAM IN SEPT STOP REPLY IMMEDIATELY STOP
It had come from the White House. Rafe didn't like the sound of this, but orders from the President were not orders he could ignore.
***
There was excited chattering amongst the pilots gathered in Hangar Two. They were milling around waiting for Colonel McCawley to arrive.
"What d'you think McCawley wants us for?" Henry asked Danny Jr.
Danny Jr. shrugged. "How should I know?"
"Shucks, you were the one who passed us the message. And you're practically his son," said Tyler. "If you ask me, it's about North Vietnam. About time too."
Henry nodded in agreement. "You're probably right, Ty. It is high time they did somethin' about those damn North Vietnamese."
They were interrupted by the sudden silence that heralded Rafe's approach. All the pilots immediately got to their feet and lined up in a row. They saluted. "Good afternoon, sir!"
Rafe looked at them all. Danny Jr. tried to figure out his expression, but it was unreadable. "Gentlemen, I have just received a telegram from Washington." He held up a small piece of paper. "It contains orders for me to organize an air raid on North Vietnam."
On Rafe's words, the excited talking erupted again.
"Silence!" said Rafe. "I would like all of you to participate in this attack and gain some experience. However, the choice is entirely up to you. Those who volunteer will spend the next few weeks in intense combat training before we leave. We must attack in a month's time." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Who is brave enough to volunteer?"
And, in an instant that brought a sudden flashback of 1942 to Rafe's mind, the entire row of pilots stepped forward.
***
September 1942
It was late at night. Danny Jr. was out walking on his own again, this time at the beach.
They would be leaving for Vietnam the next day. Danny Jr. was both excited and apprehensive. What will happen? he kept wondering. What if I foul up? What if I die...like Daddy did? But it'll be worth it, he decided, just to have had this chance of proving myself.
He looked around him. There was nobody, so he spoke aloud. "Daddy, if you're here, I really need to talk to you. You don't have to talk back, so just listen. We're going tomorrow." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "I've never done anything like this before. I'm not scared, but I'm...I mean, I don't know what I'll find."
He kicked some sand into the water and looked out to the horizon. "Just wish me luck, okay, Daddy?"
Danny Jr. could almost feel an imperceptible nod from his father. He smiled. He felt much better now.
***
Author's Note:
I know things seem to be moving a little slowly — I'm trying to really flesh out how Danny Jr. matures. Special thanks must go out to Bobby Laurent who suggested that Danny Jr. get drafted to fight in Vietnam. I really would never have thought of it myself since I never studied the Vietnam War in school. For those who don't know about it (like me before I did some research), the war was fought between Communist North Vietnam and South Vietnam whom the U.S. supported. The Viet Cong were the communist rebels from the south. I hope you liked it, and that it doesn't seem boring. Please review - thank you! In the next chapter: Danny Jr.'s experiences in Vietnam and post-Vietnam. ~HuntressMinerva