We Flew Into Hell and Back
Copyright© 2021 by Mustang
Chapter 9
“After the ceremony, Lieutenant Commander Sanchez assembled all the pilots who’d been on the Hornet. He said once the Enterprise arrives in New Caledonia, some of us will stay on her while others will be sent to other carriers.”
“A while later, he escorted me to an office that Captain Mason was using. I was introduced to Lieutenant Commander Flatley, Commanding Officer of VF-10 on the Enterprise. I stood at proper attention and saluted Captain Mason. He returned my salute while still seated, then stood and offered me his hand.”
“‘Congratulations, Son, you have done your duty to Uncle Sam and are being sent home.’”
“Sir?” I questioned, with a puzzled expression.”
“Lieutenant Martin, you have met most every criteria for a return trip home to civy street. You are now a confirmed ace pilot and have flown, by our best calculations, close to two hundred combat hours and between forty-five and fifty missions.You have been wounded in combat, receiving the Purple Heart twice and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice.’”
“Sir, I don’t want to go home.”
“You likely have no choice.”
“I joined the Navy to become a pilot before Pearl Harbor and the war starting for the States, and I had planned on making it my career. With all due respect, Sir, if I’m sent home, I’ll just re-enlist.”
“‘Edward, give us a moment,’ Lieutenant Commander Sanchez said, asking me to leave the office. I stood in the hallway with others, whom I suspected were about to be told the same thing.”
“‘What’s up, Eddie?’ One asked.”
“I’m being sent home, but I don’t want to go.”
“Have you gone crazy in the head, man? You can’t fight the war all by yourself!’”
“I know that.”
“‘Some have gone home only to return and be killed.’”
“I know, and I’m willing to take that risk.”
“About twenty minutes later, I was called back into the Captain’s office.”
“‘You really did an inverted flat spin in your Wildcat?’ Lieutenant Commander Flatley asked me.”
“I had to do something to distract the Japanese pilot, otherwise my wingman was going to be shot down.”
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