very senior officers. But there are exceptions.
âIs there something else, VanAntwerp?â 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.
âSir,â the colonel said, âIâm concerned about MacMillan.â
âOh? Where is he? I havenât seen him about lately.â
âIn Korea, sir, flying an L-5.â
ââGeneral,ââ the SCAP quoted Captain MacMillan on his return from Korea immediately after hostilities began, ââI think we got us a war.ââ The SCAP smiled. âMacMillan 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
âGeneral, MacMillan has the Medal,â the colonel said.
âYou are implying?â SCAP asked.
âThat 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.â
SCAP thought that over for a moment.
âYes,â he agreed, nodding his head. âRecommendation?â
âThat Captain MacMillanâs contribution to the tactical situation as an L-5 pilot is no greater than any other pilotâs. His loss at this time would have unfortunate public relations aspects.â
âRecommendation?â SCAP asked again.
âThat he be assigned other duties.â
âRecommendation?â
âThat 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
âOrder him home, Colonel,â SCAP said. âSilver Star, you think?â
ââGeneral of the Army Douglas MacArthur,ââ the colonel quoted from the photo caption he would release, ââhimself 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 conflictâ¦ââ
âYes,â the SCAP said. âArrange it, Colonel.â
âYes, sir.â
IV
(One)
Captain Craig W. Lowell, Armor, U.S. Army Reserve, 11 Washington Mews, New York City, having been orderedâby telegram, by direction of the President of the United Statesâto 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. Lowellâs stay more pleasantâ¦
âThank you,â Lowell had said. âThere is.â
âHow may we be of service?â
âThatâs full of uniforms,â Lowell said, pointing to the canvas Valv-Pak at the feet of the hovering bellman. âIâm going to need everything washable in it washed and everything else pressed, practically immediately.â
âIt will all be ready for you in the morning,â the assistant manager said.
âI need it by eight