Chapter XXII: The Order of the Silver Star

"You're incoherent, Malachi!" Goneri laughed and held his chest high. Such pride filled the chest so much that all almost forgot about exhaustion and pain.

"It took them only 72 hours to complete the 118-mile march, with rain and snow on the way." Striele lowered his voice and said to Colonel Zink, "They've completely defeated the megalomaniacs. ”

Zink nodded: "I'm proud of them!" ”

In front of Colonel Sink stood the officers and men of the 2nd Battalion, who were tired but stood upright. The crowd of onlookers was crowded around. In the square, there are also reporters holding cameras and video cameras. After the 2nd Battalion's march was reported, it became the focus of attention of all Americans.

When I was wreaking havoc in the Pacific, the United States needed a team of heroes and individuals. This is the time to promote this heroic group, and all Americans need the courage to fight against the Japanese army that is rampant in the Pacific and the German army that is unbeatable in Europe.

Colonel Sink gave a brief speech to the officers and men of the 2nd Battalion in the square, he was full of confidence and high spirits, but there was nothing to blame for this, after all, tired soldiers need to muster courage.

"You will be an invincible group that will guide the American people in their quest for victory. Now that we have defeated those megalomaniacs, it shows what a valiant team you are, what valiant soldiers you are! At the end, Zink made a powerful downward slash with his arm in the air.

"In recognition of the officers and men who distinguished themselves on this long march, Major Horton, Lieutenant Winster, and Sergeant Parks will be awarded the Silver Star. Private Malachi will be awarded the Order of the Purple Heart. "Colonel Synck announced the officers and soldiers who received the medal.

The four stood up from the ranks with their heads held high. Colonel Zinke and Lieutenant Colonel Stryll personally presented them with medals.

"I'm looking forward to a better performance from the second battalion! Major! Zink personally placed the medal in front of Major Horton. Salute and shake hands.

"Yes, sir!" Horton replied loudly.

Zink walked up to Lieutenant Winster and smiled, "I always thought you were a good soldier, and I was right." Well done, Lieutenant, our team needs officers like you. ”

Winster saluted solemnly, leaned forward slightly, and Colonel Zink placed the medal in front of him.

"Sergeant Parks!" Zink stood in front of Parks, looking at him with an intriguing smile.

"Here, sir!" Parks raised his hand in salute, a standard military salute.

Zink put the medal on his chest, and then patted him on the shoulder: "Sergeant, you are the best soldier of the 506th Regiment I have ever seen, you are very good, you are also very team spirit, and you have made great contributions to the whole group, I think you also have a lot of credit in this march." Good work, I hope to be able to wear more medals for you myself! ”

"Thank you, sir!" Parks straightened his chest, "There must be a chance." ”

"Good luck, then!" Colonel Sink reached out and shook Parks' hand. At this time, the reporters waited for this moment, and the flash lights suddenly flashed frequently. Freeze this picture. This is the spiritual food that all the American people need most, and this photo of a soldier named Parks shaking hands with Colonel Sink will become the front page headlines of major newspapers and become popular all over the United States.

This is also the result that Colonel Zink wants. Fame and gain were also necessary fruits of the outcome of this march.

Malaki was also honored, and he felt like he was in a dream. So much so that many people congratulated him after the ceremony.

"It's a dream!" Malach said to White, "I just insisted on going through the whole journey, but I didn't expect that my luck would be really good, and to be commended, Colonel Zink is really generous." ”

"Hehe, Marachi, you have already received the Order of the Purple Star before you go to the battlefield, it seems that it feels good to receive the medal. Or Colonel Zinke personally awarded it! White was a little jealous.

"Why can't you just get hurt or something, and walk the whole way like I did?" Malaki ignored White's sour tone, "Don't just look at me, Parks was awarded the Silver Star." ”

Parks was a little surprised that he was able to receive the Silver Star Medal, but the conversation with Winster revealed the reason for the award, and he met him and Lieutenant Nickerson in Winster's barracks.

"You must have some doubts! Staff sergeant. Nickerson smiled and poured Parks a glass of wine as usual.

"Yes, Lieutenant." Parks nodded.

"Because you have made an outstanding contribution to the second battalion." Winster nodded and motioned for him to sit down, "Colonel Zinke's original plan was for thirty to forty men to be unable to make the trek due to bad weather. ”

"It turns out that there are less than ten people now." Nickerson took a sip of his wine, "This result is very pleasantly surprised. Later, Major Horton presented an application for your medal, and Colonel Sink saw it and praised you. ”

Winster also smiled at this time: "Because of this, I also got the opportunity to receive the medal this time because of my timely recommendation to Major Horton, so I still have to thank you!" ”

Parks knew that Winster was just expressing a sense of gratitude and affection to himself. Because he knew that even if he didn't recommend himself, he would receive a medal from Colonel Zink, after all, Colonel Zink had a very good impression of him. It's important that Colonel Sink is a subjective man.

"Colonel Zinke wants to see you." After a pause, Winster said to Parks.

"What?" Parks was a little surprised. This was supposed to be the second time Colonel Zink was going to summon him. It is rare for a colonel to summon a soldier twice.

"Yes, he has something he wants to ask you! There you go! Go to the temporary regimental headquarters. Nickerson nodded to him, "That's a good thing, maybe because of your contribution to this march." ”

"Thank you, Lieutenant!" Parks stood up and took his leave.

Zink is about to summon him again, much to Parks' surprise. In general, senior officers do not summon soldiers directly and consecutively, except in exceptional circumstances.

"Sergeant Parkes, it's a pleasure to see you again!" At the regimental headquarters, Colonel Zinck and Lieutenant Colonel Stryll were sipping coffee, and Zink stood up happily when he saw Parks entering the door.

"Yes, sir! I'm glad to meet you too. Parks stood tall and solemn.

"Rest a bit, sergeant, you don't have to be so nervous." Zink smiled and gestured to Parks.

"After so many days of observation, I have found that you are a very good soldier." Colonel Sink said, "Do you know that you're a national celebrity now?" ”

"Sir?" Parks looked at Colonel Zink suspiciously.

At this time, Lieutenant Colonel Stryll walked over, picked up a few newspapers from the table, and handed them to Parks.

"Look at it, lad, these newspapers have big pictures of you." Stryll smiled, "The Los Angeles Times, the Saturday Post, and the famous Wall Street Journal, you're their darling right now." ”

"Sir?" Parks took the newspaper and looked at Zink and Strell with puzzled expressions. It's not that he didn't know that he would be in the media, but it was indeed a bit unexpected to be noticed by these influential media and distributed throughout the United States.

"Well, you know, since the Devils attacked our Pearl Harbor, the people of all America have been plagued by defeatism, and that's what President Roosevelt didn't want to see. Although we slaughtered Xiao Yuben in the Battle of Midway, the truth of victory will be very long, and the process is very dark and painful. Colonel Zinke smiled, "Now the American people need heroes, Parks!" ”

Parks understood, he nodded, and said to Colonel Zink, "So, sir, what do you need me to do?" ”

"So now I'm suspending you." "It's thirty days," said Colonel Zink, "and you'll be going to Washington and New York to promote the war debt of the political axe." ”

This means that he is leaving e-company. Although Parks was reluctant to give up, he had to obey the order, after all, if he toured to promote the public debt, then he would become more famous, and thus get more opportunities for promotion. But just leaving the brothers of E Company, Parks was unwilling.

"Sir!" Parks frowned, "I...... Am I going to leave E-Company, my brothers? ”

Colonel Zink saw Parks' reluctance, nodded with some satisfaction: "Originally, if you were to do publicity, your position should be assigned by the division headquarters, but if you are reluctant to leave the brothers, I will ask for it from above." Maybe you might come back. Parks, don't worry about your duties. ”

Parks nodded, then said to Zink, "Thank you, sir." ”

"No, you deserve it." "Okay, that's all for today's conversation, I think if you leave tomorrow, then you're going to have something to pack." ”

Lieutenant Colonel Stryll called the door. Parks saluted, and then walked out.

"A good soldier!" Striele smiled. Zink listened, nodded and smiled.

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