Chapter 43: The End of the Sobel Era
Rhys hadn't expected Colonel Sink to call him back, let alone ask him such a question. He couldn't figure out why Sink was asking. Even if he had punished a Company First Sergeant, he didn't need to explain himself, especially when the reason was mutiny. However, being allowed to keep his rank of Staff Sergeant was genuinely a surprise to Rhys.
"Sir, I cannot think of a reason," Rhys answered honestly.
Colonel Sink looked at him and didn't answer immediately. He waited a moment before saying, "Alright, just remember this lesson. You were once a role model for our 506th Regiment, a decorated soldier even in peacetime. You also did your part for the war bond drive. Therefore, you must always hold yourself to the standard of an outstanding soldier."
"You may go," Sink said, his tone polite.
As Rhys stepped out of the office, he began to understand. There were likely a few reasons for this. The first was that his image had appeared in major American newspapers. If he were to be embroiled in a mutiny scandal and demoted for it, it would be a blow to the 506th's reputation that it couldn't afford.
The second reason was, as Sink had mentioned, his contact with General Lee during the bond drive. And when General Lee had come for his inspection, he had met with him privately. Although nothing of substance was said, that meeting was enough to make Sink wonder about the extent of his relationship with the General. This was perhaps why Colonel Sink had handled the matter so discreetly.
When the sergeants who had participated in the action returned to the camp, they were greeted with heroic cheers from their brothers.
"I can't believe it," Guarnere muttered under his breath.
Lipton, who was beside him, was taken aback. "Can't believe what?" he asked.
Guarnere smiled, then looked at the enthusiastic reception from the surrounding brothers. "Honestly, I was a little hesitant before all this. But now, I have no more hesitation. This is better than anything, isn't it?"
Lipton also nodded and smiled. "Yes, better than anything." He then looked back, a little confused. "Why isn't Parks back yet? Does Colonel Sink plan to deal with him separately?"
Guarnere's smile vanished. They all knew that Rhys had been kept behind by the Colonel.
"I don't think so," Ranney spoke up then. "For Parks to participate in this as the First Sergeant, and for Colonel Sink to still let him keep his rank of Staff Sergeant, it means the matter should be over. Maybe it's about something else?" He wasn't entirely sure either.
As they were talking, they saw Rhys walking toward them in the distance.
"Hey, Parks! Welcome back!" Cobb shouted from far away. "You're our hero!"
The other sergeants were unfazed by Cobb's cheering, but the expressions on the faces of Harris and Ranney changed slightly. Harris was about to be transferred out of the 506th, and God only knew where he would go—the regular Army, or the Marines. This meant he would no longer be able to wear the Silver Wings of a paratrooper, which for him, was a devastating blow.
And Ranney had been busted from Sergeant to Private. Although it was a better outcome than Harris's, it was still a major blow. Rhys had been relieved of his duty as First Sergeant and had his OCS recommendation revoked, so his losses were also significant. But no one was cheering for Harris or Ranney as "heroes."
In the minds of the brothers of Easy Company, because Rhys was the First Sergeant, they instinctively considered him the leader of the action. But the true leaders had been Harris and Ranney.
Rhys noticed the subtle change in Harris's and Ranney's expressions and couldn't help but smile slightly. "Cobb, you've got it wrong this time. I'm no hero. If it weren't for Harris and Ranney bringing the sergeants together, we never would have been so united."
"Haha, Harris, Ranney, you're heroes too!" Cobb laughed loudly and extended his hands to them. "I have to show you my respect."
"For the brothers," Harris said, his lips twitching, but he still managed a smile for the crowd.
"For Easy Company," Rhys added from the side.
This sentiment was met with a roar of approval from all the brothers.
"FOR EASY COMPANY!" they all shouted.
Rhys smiled slightly. These were his brothers. He pulled Harris aside and said in a low voice, "Harris, what are your plans now?"
Harris's expression was grim. "What else can I do? I'll probably go to the regular Army. Someone from the regiment will probably come to arrange everything for me today or tomorrow. It's just… leaving the brothers, the feeling is a bit… you know."
"I know. If it were me, I'd feel the same way," Rhys said, then smiled. "Don't lose heart. Even if you're not in the company anymore, the brothers will never forget you. You saved Easy Company."
Harris's lips twitched, and his expression was a bit lost. He sat down on the grass, and Rhys sat down with him. Harris aimlessly plucked a few blades of grass and stuck them in his mouth.
"Parks, I'm suddenly not so confident about this. God knows if our sacrifice will make Colonel Sink react. Maybe… maybe what we did was a mistake," Harris said, his mood at rock bottom. He really didn't want to leave Easy Company; it was more painful than being killed. He was even beginning to doubt his impulsive actions.
"No, we will have a good result," Rhys said with a firm nod. "I promise you, your sacrifice will not be in vain. Sink will definitely get Sobel out of Easy Company."
"Yes, I think Parks is right," a voice said from beside them. They turned to see Ranney, with Guarnere, Lipton, Randleman, and others behind him.
"Harris, don't worry about Easy Company. The brothers will be well taken care of. Even if Sobel doesn't leave this time, we will protect the brothers. Don't worry," Lipton said, walking over and placing a hand on Harris's shoulder.
Harris reached up and squeezed the hand on his shoulder. He suddenly smiled. "Yeah, it's just a bit hard to take, to be honest, having to leave."
The next day, Harris received his orders from the regiment. He had been transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division. For him, this was good news. The 82nd was also an airborne unit, which meant at the very least, he wouldn't have to take off his Silver Wings. The brothers had trained for almost two full years for that badge.
It seemed Colonel Sink had shown some mercy after all. Perhaps he had known for a long time that Sobel was unfit to lead a company into combat, and this incident had only strengthened his resolve.
***
And things turned out exactly as Rhys had predicted. Colonel Sink wanted to transfer Sobel. In truth, Sink had been struggling with what to do with him.
"I really don't know where to transfer him. It's clear he's no longer suitable for Easy Company. Should I make him a company commander in another battalion? He might just face the same treatment he got in Easy," Sink complained to Lieutenant Colonel Strayer.
Strayer smiled. "To be honest, Captain Sobel is indeed unfit to lead a company into combat. From an emotional standpoint, I rather agree with what those sergeants did."
"Don't talk to me about that," Sink said, annoyed. "The actions of those sergeants are absolutely not to be encouraged. Right now, I'm just agonizing over Sobel's position."
"It's quite simple, actually," Strayer said calmly.
"Alright then, tell me a suitable place for him," Sink nodded. "Sobel isn't suited to lead a team in combat, but he does have his strengths. We have to acknowledge that."
Strayer nodded. "I agree with that. So, we should play to his strengths. Colonel, have you forgotten about the parachute school they opened in the nearby village of Chilton Foliat?"
Sink's face lit up. "Yes, how could I have forgotten that place? There's nowhere more suitable for him. That's a brilliant idea!"
The parachute school Strayer mentioned in Chilton Foliat was for training medical personnel, chaplains, communications staff, forward artillery observers, and other personnel who would be jumping on D-Day to become qualified paratroopers. It was a new school recently established by the 101st Airborne.
Training qualified paratroopers—what could be more suitable for Captain Sobel? Sink and Strayer couldn't help but exchange a smile.
A few days later, Sink had a long and deep conversation with Sobel. No one knew what they talked about, although everyone in Easy Company was paying close attention. But from the dejected look on Sobel's face after that conversation, it was clear that it had been an unpleasant memory for him. Now the brothers of Easy Company were happy. Sobel's departure from the company was not far off. Everyone thought so.
On the third day, Sobel packed his bags and reported for duty at Chilton Foliat. Sink transferred Lieutenant Thomas Meehan from B Company to be the new commanding officer of E Company.
Winters returned to Easy Company, but he was no longer the XO; he was now the platoon leader of 1st Platoon. Rhys was assigned as a squad leader in 1st Platoon. Then, on Winters's recommendation, Sink approved Rhys's appointment as the Platoon Sergeant for 1st Platoon. The mutiny incident had finally come to a close.
The Sobel era of Easy Company was over.