Chapter 2: Promotions
Victory had been declared in Europe. May 8, 1945, would go down in history as V-E Day and the world was celebrating. Fighting still continued in the Pacific but nothing could stop the jubilation all over the globe. A month earlier, the Rat Patrol had assisted in the liberation of the concentration camps, Dachau and Landsberg. None of them would ever erase those images from their minds. They continued doing reconnaissance missions and capturing Nazi leaders as they attempted to escape.
On August 15th victory was declared over Japan and the world again celebrated the end of the war. Troops began to dream of finally going home and wondered what they would face on their return. Were sweethearts and wives still faithful? Had the war changed them so much, they wouldn't be welcomed by their loved ones? What about their injuries? Would the loss of a limb or an eye make them seem less than human by the ones they cared about.
As the soldiers were being shipped home and the weapons of destruction were being dismantled, the Rats awaited their papers while continuing to serve in a variety of situations. Slowly they had made their way across Germany to their division headquarters in France. They had been doing short-term missions when they were summoned into Boggs office. The recently made Colonel had them wait in the outer office and called them in one by one.
It was now time to pay the piper. Prior to the end of the African Campaign, Boggs and British General Atkins had met with each member of the patrol with a proposition that included promotions/commissions at the end of the war and possible future work as consultants in exchange for keeping their unit together for the duration of the war. They had not been looking forward to this day, but it had now arrived.
Troy was called into Boggs' office alone.
"So Troy, have you decided to continue in the army as a career?" the newly minted Colonel asked.
"Yes sir," Troy replied.
"You remember the agreement we discussed in Africa?" Boggs continued.
"Yes sir," Troy repeated.
"Very well," Boggs said and proceeded to outline Troy's commission as an officer, his future duties, and had the commission papers ready for Troy to sign. The sergeant hesitated for a moment with the pen in hand as he recalled how many times over the years he had turned down becoming an officer. Taking a deep breath, he signed the paper. After additional conversation, an aide brought a new uniform for Troy with his new insignia. He was instructed to leave by another door, drop off paperwork to the clerk and clothe himself in his new attire.
Moffitt was next and General Atkins conducted his interview. Moffitt had no desire to continue in the military although there was a lengthy conversation about using his talents for some future undercover assignments that might arise if he was agreeable. Moffitt enjoyed "cloak and dagger" missions and was amenable to helping serve his country in any way possible should his skills be needed in the future. He too signed the agreed upon commission and given the same instructions as Troy.
As part of the original agreement, Hitch and Tully had been promoted to Corporal at the end of the African Campaign. They had made that adjustment, but both were leery and apprehensive about what was to come. Hitch was called into the office, and he gave Tully a weak smile as he went through the door.
In addition to Boggs leading the interview with Hitch, an unknown officer also joined them for the conversation which immediately put the young man on alert. His gut told him something was about to happen, and he immediately began to inwardly question what it might be. He was pretty sure he was about to become an officer and he couldn't help but wonder if his father's meddling had anything to do with it.
After Hitch's enlistment, his father had used all his influence to try and get his son out of the military or made an officer and stationed away from the battlefront. Hitch had held firm against them all, and his father was finally told it was his son's choice. They didn't speak for several months afterward with the senior Hitchcock convinced his son was throwing away his life, just as he had done over his college course of study.
Following a serious injury that involved his teammates taking him to a German field hospital for treatment, his father realized (after much persuasion from his wife) that he needed to accept the fact his son was now a man who could make his own decisions, whether they agreed with them or not. It was better to have him alive than burdened with regret if something happened.
In the waiting room, Tully was unconsciously chewing on a matchstick and rolling it from side to side. He was growing nervous. Hitch had been in there a long time, longer than Troy or Moffitt. He hoped his young friend was doing more listening than talking back and questioning. Sometimes Hitch needed to keep his tongue under control and his thoughts to himself.
Finally, Tully was called in. He quickly put the chewed matchstick in his pocket and went to face what was to be. He was pretty sure he wasn't going to be commissioned as an officer since he had no college experience but still, it was nerve-wracking all the same.
The four had discussed this day long before it arrived. They figured they would be individually informed of the army's decisions for them and issued new uniforms. They decided to wait until they were all aware of their new ranks. They planned to meet later that day for drinks at a smaller bar than Remy's where they weren't as well known.
Troy was at a table with four mugs of beer when Moffitt arrived. They surveyed one another and the new ranks with slight smiles and shakes of their heads.
"Can't believe we bloody well agreed to this," Moffitt said taking a drink.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Troy commented. Tully arrived and the two former sergeants were pleased to see him in the uniform of a First Sergeant.
"Well done, Tully," Moffitt congratulated him. "I rather thought you might show up as a junior lieutenant but there's no accounting for the mysteries of the higher ups."
"You're now one of those higher ups," Tully said with a grin. "I'm totally satisfied, and I think the two of you look good in the railroad tracks." Hitch took a seat at the table and helped himself to a beer. The other three smiled at their youngest rat who now sported the rank of First Lieutenant. He seemed embarrassed in front of them.
"Congratulations, Hitch, I knew they'd get you sooner or later," Troy replied.
"I don't know about all this," Hitch remarked. "I just don't feel I'm worthy. I never wanted to be an officer. I especially don't think I should be outranking Tully. But I'm proud of you guys, you've got more brains than any other captain I know. Don't tell Boggs I said so."
"We're proud of you, too, Hitch," Tully said, clapping his friend on the back. "It was worth it to stay together through the end of the war." The others nodded and sipped their beer.
"I'm supposed to share this with you," Hitch put an official packet of army documents on the table. "It has our travel plans and other info." They decided to ignore the envelope while the continued their conversation."
"I couldn't hear what you were saying when you were in there with Boggs, but I definitely could hear your voice. You were in there quite a while. What was going on?" Tully asked.
"I shared my opinion that while I didn't know what rank they were promoting you to, I felt it should be the same as mine, since we shared so many of the same skills and experiences," Hitch answered sheepishly. "They also want to keep me on inactive reserve until a project comes up they might want me to work on. Some mention was made of a space program in the future."
"That's impressive," Moffitt remarked. "I have a similar arrangement although it's mostly undercover "cloak and dagger" stuff."
"You'll love that," Troy spoke.
"They want to call on me from time to time to instruct other sergeants in ordnance and vehicle maintenance," Tully admitted.
"So, they still have their hooks in all of us," Troy laughed.
"Well, I have one problem," Hitch confessed.
"What's that?" Tully asked.
"Well, Doc is still Doc, Tully is still Tully and I'm still Hitch, but Sarge? I don't think I can get used to calling you Cap." Hitch said in a worried voice. The others grinned but realized he had a point.
"Why don't you just try Troy, if Sam makes you too uncomfortable," The new captain suggested.
"It will take time, but I think I think I can do that, Troy" Hitch seemed pleased. They raised their mugs of beer in salute and finally opened the packet with their orders.