Chapter 44: Meehan's Integration
With Lieutenant Meehan as the new company commander of Easy Company, the brothers felt a little more at ease. After all, they had asked around with the soldiers from B Company and knew that he was a decent fellow.
"He's even skinnier than I am," Perconte said to Guarnere as the men gathered on the grass after a day of training. "I can't believe he's such a slight guy."
"But he's definitely taller than you," Guarnere laughed.
"There's nothing to complain about. Don't you think it's something to be happy about that we finally got rid of Sobel?" White chimed in, then said loudly to Cobb, "Unless you have a tendency for masochism."
The men around them burst out laughing.
Lipton walked over, looked at the crowd, and smiled. "What is this, a farewell party for Sobel? You've picked the wrong day, because Captain Sobel already left yesterday. He went to the parachute school in the nearby village of Chilton Foliat. I guess that's putting his talents to good use."
"I'm really worried about those pretty nurses," Luz said, smacking his lips.
"Those nurses aren't 'ladies'. I've been there and seen them. I guarantee you, they're more manly than you are," Tipper interjected.
Everyone laughed at Luz. The atmosphere was so relaxed and cheerful. It was a kind of happiness that came from the heart, a direct result of Sobel's departure. And this happiness would continue in Easy Company.
Lieutenant Meehan was indeed a very capable man, and he treated his subordinates with impartiality. Although his training was just as strict, he still earned the initial approval of the men of Easy Company.
As wartime drew closer, the intensity of the training increased. The frequency of Easy's parachute jumps also grew, including night jump exercises.
On December 13th, the company conducted a night jump, and tragedy struck. Due to a parachute malfunction, Private Rudolph Dittrich of First Platoon was tragically killed, becoming Easy Company's first casualty. Because Rhys wasn't entirely sure what would happen—even though he knew some of the plot, the plot was just the plot, not reality—he was still heartbroken to see one of his brothers die before even reaching the battlefield.
Lieutenant Meehan held a memorial service for Dittrich for the men of Easy Company. His body would be transported back to his hometown a day later by a naval transport ship.
The heavens were not kind that day. It began to rain, thankfully not too heavily. But since it was already winter, the soldiers in their thin uniforms still felt the cold. A chill wind swirled, sweeping across everyone's faces.
"Present arms!" Rhys shouted.
All the brothers of First Platoon raised their rifles in unison over their heads.
"Fire!"
'CRACK—' A single, massive, unified gunshot echoed through the nearby woods, startling a flock of birds into flight.
After three volleys, Rhys gave the order to "Order arms."
"I am deeply saddened," Lieutenant Meehan said, standing before the coffin and addressing the men. "This is the first brother to die under my command. He did not die on the battlefield. This is a regret for me, and I believe it is a regret for Dittrich as well." His voice was not loud, but it had a powerful resonance, and everyone in Easy Company could hear him clearly.
Just then, First Sergeant Evans walked over with an umbrella, intending to shield the lieutenant from the rain.
"Thank you, I don't need it," Meehan refused without hesitation. This made Evans a little embarrassed, but he stepped aside and also closed his umbrella, standing in the rain with the other brothers.
"In the future, more of our brothers will fall. Perhaps on the training ground, perhaps at the hands of German guns. But what I want to say is that the life of every one of our brothers is precious. You are a valuable resource to the military. To destroy the Germans, we must first protect ourselves, and we especially cannot fall on the training ground," Meehan said smoothly. Although his tone was calm, you could hear that his emotions were heavy. "I demand that every brother in Easy Company, at all times, maintain his vigilance, and that includes with all of your equipment. Your equipment is your second life."
The rain began to fall a little harder, making a soft pattering sound.
Lieutenant Meehan raised his voice. "In the future, on the battlefield, we must take even better care of each other. You will fight together, and the only people you can truly trust are the brothers by your side. This bond is like that of a family."
It had to be said, Meehan's speech was very moving, and it spoke to the hearts of these men who had been together for two years.
"Whether you are an officer, an NCO, or a private, my requirement for Easy Company is that we are like a family, because we are a single, indivisible whole," Lieutenant Meehan concluded. He then turned to face Dittrich's coffin, raised his hand, and gave a military salute.
"Salute!" Rhys shouted, his voice cutting through the rain.
All the brothers of Easy Company snapped to a crisp, uniform military salute.
"Order arms," Rhys called out. "Dismissed."
It was a soldier's funeral. Although he was not buried in the ground, he had received all the respect of a funeral, and the heartfelt emotions of his brothers. In the future, more soldiers would fall. They might not have such a dignified funeral; they might even lie dead in some foreign field. But their deaths would still grieve their brothers, who would mourn for them.
Through this single event, Lieutenant Meehan won the hearts of the men. There was nothing that earned respect more easily than showing respect for a fallen brother. Even Rhys had to admit that Meehan had handled the matter beautifully. It usually takes a long time for a leader to integrate into a company, but it had only taken Lieutenant Meehan a few short days.
***
In truth, the person most saddened by Dittrich's accidental death was Lieutenant Winters.
After all the other brothers had dispersed, Winters remained standing there alone, even though he was soaked to the bone.
"I couldn't find you in the camp. Someone said I could find you here, so I came," a voice said from behind him. "This wasn't your fault, Dick."
As if waking from a deep thought, Winters turned and saw Nixon standing behind him.
"I'm just a little upset, Nix," Winters said, his face covered in rain.
"Let's go back and talk. I think you need to get cleaned up," Nixon gestured.
The two of them walked back, one after the other, through the curtain of rain.
"It seems Lieutenant Meehan did a fine job," Nixon said, watching Winters change his clothes. He then smiled. "But you're not the executive officer anymore. Do you have any regrets?"
"Not at all," Winters replied after a moment's thought. "I'm very happy. At least without Captain Sobel we're finally acting like a company that's on the right track. Right now, I just feel sad for Dittrich. If only I had made them check their equipment one more time."
"You did have them check it, Dick. Stop thinking about it," Nixon said with a sigh, shaking his head. "Don't always take the blame for others' mistakes on yourself. You won't be able to live like that."
"I know," Winters nodded. "Thanks, Nix."
Nixon then took a bottle of liquor from a cabinet, poured himself a glass, and took a sip. "I think I understand now why you had Parks assigned as your Platoon Sergeant."
Winters glanced at Nixon, then said slowly, "What are you trying to say?"
"Parks is a real talent, and you wanted to keep him for yourself," Nixon said with a smug smile, as if he had uncovered Winters's conspiracy. "I just can't believe Colonel Sink actually agreed to it, especially since Parks was an NCO who had committed an infraction."
At the mention of this, Winters couldn't help but smile slightly. This was indeed a source of pride for him.
"That's because you don't know the whole story. Even though you're a battalion staff officer now, there are some things you aren't privy to," Winters said. "Do you remember General Lee?"
"General William C. Lee?" Nixon nodded. "Of course I do. What does that have to with this?"
A full smile now spread across Winters's face. "I simply took advantage of the proper attitude Sink has toward General Lee. Remember when the General came to inspect and met with Parks privately?"
"Of course I remember."
"Well, there you have it," Winters smiled. "Because of that private meeting, everyone in the 506th, including Colonel Sink, thinks that Parks and General Lee have some kind of connection."
"Oh," Nixon said, as if a light had just dawned. "No wonder. For a Company First Sergeant to commit an act that could be called mutiny, and to only have his position stripped… the punishment was indeed quite light. I thought it was because Sink cherished his talent, but it turns out he was giving face to General Lee."
Winters nodded. "You're right. Parks is a talent, and I must ensure his talents are put to use. I don't care what his relationship with the General really is. Sink's approval of my request was based on the considerations above. I wasn't worried that he would reject it."