Chapter 2

Camp Toccoa Georgia, 7:30 AM; 1944

Fox company heard the whistle blow. Soldiers slumped from their bunks miserably. "Christ, this is not what I fucking signed up for." Larks complained. Private Flynn jumped from his bunk, "I already told you Larks, we have the best."

Larks was ready to talk back but the voice of Sergeant Stringer stopped him, "Ten-hut!"

All of the men turned to face First Lieutenant Downs. Downs walked down the line, annoyance in his eyes. "I see Fox company has gained the rare privilege of sleeping in. You should be on your feet and standing ready outside by 0630." Downs sad angrily.

"Sir, we just ran Curahee yesterday evening. We were ti-" Larks was cut off by Downs.

"Did you just back talk me, Private?" Downs said cool anger in his voice.

"Sir, I-" Larks was cut off again by Downs.

"I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in Fox Company. If you are to be apart of the 506th Parachute Infantry then you will need to be disciplined. Discipline is something you lack, Private Larks; your one fatal flaw! To be in the Airborne is not to have just basic training! You must be at the top of your game, so buck up and get on your feet, Private Larks!" Downs said in anger, his nose almost touching Larks'.

The recruit clenched his fists but he knew he couldn't beat Downs. Downs was twice as experienced, had a better build, and had six inches over Larks, so he stood down.

"First Lieutenant McKay, lead Fox Company to the jump training grounds. Battalion Headquarters needs me." Downs muttered. He left the room with that.

All of Fox Company fumbled around with clothes and gear. Flynn stuck out his chest, held his head high and approached Larks, speaking in an obnoxious tone, "Private Larks, you have muddy boots. How will you fight with grenades going off, artillery pounding, and guns peppering the ground, and worse- muddy boots?"

"Hey, at least I carry extra clips!" Larks shot back. "Shut up or I'll park my foot, in your ass."

**

Fox Company gathered at the jump training area. McKay stood on one of multiple wooden C-47 airframes sitting on a massive field of white sand. "Have fun breaking yer face, Larks!" Baincouver shouted, grinning.

"Right, I should've known that since I'm Italian that I'll die in jump training." Larks responded. "Hey Baincouver, you're Italian ain't'cha'?"

"I'm not Italian I'm from Brooklyn." Baincouver said, correcting Larks. "Same thing." Greenin said, butting in to the conversation.

"Alright, does everybody have their tin pots on their heads?" Lieutenant McKay asked. Everyone nodded.

"Okay, dropping from an airplane moving hundreds of miles per hour with a parachute that has a 40% risk of not working is a simple process..." McKay began.

Sometimes Battalion Headquarters wondered if they should replace McKay as commanding officer due to the fact that he played around with the men too much. But at the same time, he was almost a father figure in the eyes of the men.

"First, you always make sure your hook is linked up before the jump, then make sure you are in the correct order. Then before you touch ground, bend your knees or your legs will snap like toothpicks." McKay said calmly.

"Sir was that your First Lieutenant Downs?" Rickshaw asked questioningly.

"Private Rickshaw, First Lieutenant Downs is an amazing combat leader. He has trained many companies and has much experience in battle and I have never questioned my loyalty towards him."

McKay chuckled, "But yes, I was was mimicking First Lieutenant Downs." All of Fox company laughed.

Lieutenant Downs demonstrated a jump out of the plane, buckled, and landed. Fox Company lined up inside the skeleton of the C-47. As Larks began to jump, someone shouted "Don't break your noodle legs!" Larks jumped off first and landed perfectly.

"That's what a well balanced diet of Linguine will do for ya!" Baincouver cheered.

"I thought you were from Brooklyn." Rickshaw asked.

**

At the end of training Fox company filed into the sleeping quarters. They were all sweating, bruised, sore, and winded. They just wanted to say in their remotely soft beds and fall asleep when suddenly the door flew open.

It was First Lieutenant Downs

"Fox Company, it is time for the weekly Curahee run- change into full gear. Weapons, ammo, helmets, liners, pads, vests-everything."

"Sir we've never done it in full gear." Greenin grieved.

"You have to eventually; let's go" Downs ordered, leaving the quarters.

**

"Gimme a break!" Baincouver shouted dryly, gripping his M1. Fox company ran up Curahee.

"Come on Fox company! This is the life of a Paratrooper!" Downs shouted. Every soldier's muscles screamed for rest. Their faces were drenched in sweat. Even Flynn the over-achiever was starting to waver. Greenin and Baincouver collapsed just as Larks and Rickshaw caught them. First Lieutenant Downs chanted as he jogged across the front of the line.

Curahee!

Curahee!

Curahee!

**

As they approached their beds that night, Fox Company was running on fumes. Upon reaching the barracks, every one of them collapsed on their bunks.

"Remember- 0630!" Downs bellowed as the lights went out. Every Airborne trooper had to be perfect. Slowly each soldier drifted into a long hard sleep knowing that there was more cruel training ahead.