The Captains by W. E. B. Griffin Page B

very senior officers. But there are exceptions.
    â€œIs there something else, VanAntwerp?” the Supreme Commander, Allied Powers asked of one of his colonels, who lingered momentarily after the other officers had left the SCAP conference room after the reading of the daily communiqué.
    â€œSir,” the colonel said, “I’m concerned about MacMillan.”
    â€œOh? Where is he? I haven’t seen him about lately.”
    â€œIn Korea, sir, flying an L-5.”
    â€œâ€˜General,’” the SCAP quoted Captain MacMillan on his return from Korea immediately after hostilities began, “‘I think we got us a war.’” The SCAP smiled. “MacMillan is a warrior, Colonel. He lies dormant, like a hibernating grizzly, until he hears the blare of the trumpet and the roll of the drum, and then he comes alive again.”
    â€œGeneral, MacMillan has the Medal,” the colonel said.
    â€œYou are implying?” SCAP asked.
    â€œThat there would be a good deal in the press in the event Captain MacMillan should be killed, or turn up missing, or fall into the hands of the enemy.”
    SCAP thought that over for a moment.
    â€œYes,” he agreed, nodding his head. “Recommendation?”
    â€œThat Captain MacMillan’s contribution to the tactical situation as an L-5 pilot is no greater than any other pilot’s. His loss at this time would have unfortunate public relations aspects.”
    â€œRecommendation?” SCAP asked again.
    â€œThat he be assigned other duties.”
    â€œRecommendation?”
    â€œThat he be returned to the Zone of the Interior for training as a helicopter pilot. Initially, particularly if the general saw fit to decorate him for his services, specifically his rescue under fire of the three KMAG officers from the Ongjin peninsula, he would have a definite public relations value.”
    â€œOrder him home, Colonel,” SCAP said. “Silver Star, you think?”
    â€œâ€˜General of the Army Douglas MacArthur,’” the colonel quoted from the photo caption he would release, “‘himself holder of the Medal of Honor, is shown awarding the Silver Star to Captain Rudolph G. MacMillan. It was the third award of the Silver Star to MacMillan, who won the Medal of Honor in World War II. MacMillan was decorated for his heroic service as an army aviator in the opening days of the Korean conflict…’”
    â€œYes,” the SCAP said. “Arrange it, Colonel.”
    â€œYes, sir.”

IV
    (One)
    Captain Craig W. Lowell, Armor, U.S. Army Reserve, 11 Washington Mews, New York City, having been ordered—by telegram, by direction of the President of the United States—to report to the United States Army Reception Center, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, not later than 2400 hours on 12 July 1950 for an indefinite period of active duty in connection with the Korean conflict, rolled up to the MP shack at the gate at 2330 hours.
    He had checked into the Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore shortly after two that afternoon, after driving down from New York City in his Jaguar XK120 convertible coupe. Someone from the office had called, and when he walked up to the desk and gave his name, an assistant manager appeared almost instantly, introduced himself, said how pleased they were to have him in the house, that they had a nice, quiet little suite for him, and if there was anything, anything at all he could do to make Mr. Lowell’s stay more pleasant…
    â€œThank you,” Lowell had said. “There is.”
    â€œHow may we be of service?”
    â€œThat’s full of uniforms,” Lowell said, pointing to the canvas Valv-Pak at the feet of the hovering bellman. “I’m going to need everything washable in it washed and everything else pressed, practically immediately.”
    â€œIt will all be ready for you in the morning,” the assistant manager said.
    â€œI need it by eight