Another Patrol

[T/5. Joseph Shelton]

For the past week, things had been heating up in the Ardennes. Of course, with the temperature below freezing most days it was hard to feel it. The pressure was on for everyone. Hitler had made an advance in an attempt to drive back into France, and the scattered 101st Airborne Division was caught up in the middle of it while other infantry units retreated. Joseph had volunteered to stay behind while the rest of his unit fell back to regroup. He would assist the replacements and others with medical care as casualties came in.

With the weather having such a damper on everyone, combat operations were at a stand still, and Joseph found himself treating men for frostbite, trench foot, dehydration, and other common illnesses associated with extreme weather. However, headquarters called in for routine patrols in an attempt to keep tabs on ol’ Gerry. Joseph was situated at a medical aid station just south of Bastogne, where the majority of the American forces were at during this campaign.

Casualties would routinely come and go, and in addition to the ill soldiers, it wasn’t so uncommon to receive a man who had been hit by a mortar, or was unlucky enough to stumble into the fire of a German patrol while trying to take a shit out in the middle of nowhere. Such incidents kept Joseph busy with his work. Assisting other medics, and directing the local medical staff, who’s English wasn’t so bad for Belgians. Things seemed to take on a routine pattern, if war was as ever routine.

On one particular morning, five soldiers from the 101st rode in on a jeep and made there way to Joseph’s aid tent. There they explained that they were on there way out for a patrol, had no medic and required some medical supplies in the event of a casualty. Joseph didn’t like that they were going without a medic, and he was always one to take pride in watching over a fellow soldier. Being that he had no superior to report to at the time, he volunteered himself to join them on the patrol. Not a single one of them protested.

Joseph had them wait outside while he collected some items. He had been planning to restock his medic bag, but never found the time to. This would give him the perfect opportunity to do so. He went into a small supply closet and began loading his bag with morphine syrettes, plasma injections, bandages, tape, tools, and other equipment.

[Ben Shirley]

A big blob of shadow with GI suits on were moving through the field hospital, not really paying attention to the hustle and bustle. The man in front of them was simply walking with his trademark swagger as Ben yawned while trying his arms a bit. Joseph came from behind to put a hand on Ben's shoulder, sheltering his rifle with the opposite hand. "We gotta find a medic before we can continue on the patrol," he noted the obvious.

"I know we do dumbass, you don't gotta remind me every few minutes. Besides, the damned 101st troops that have been flooding in for the past few hours have taken most of the remaining medics. We might as well just find a patrol already with a medic," responded Ben with a stiff tone before reverting to a calmer one near the end of his dialogue. His brother just slowly dissolved back with the rest of the group, engaging in conversation. Slowly moving his eyes right and left, Ben studied his surroundings with the intent of finding a medic and the best fighting positions. No one knows when a field hospital could get attacked, either by air strike or a completely stupid explosion by a private. War was funny like that.

Noticing that Kevin Sermon was attending somebodies wounds, Ben made a hand signal to have Joseph go and call his attention. Now, if they could get a more experienced medic, that would be great. Continuing to walk the dirt path with tents and stainless steel cabinets laced around it, a medic who seemed to be restocking his bag had a high-ranked chevron on his shoulder. The light brown eyes of Ben studied him heavily, approaching him with the rest of the black soldiers behind him.

"Sir medic, has anyone taken you for a patrol? If so, me and my soldiers, including my lone medic, would like to join the patrol to help. We could split in two teams to cover more ground, and it would give my own medic some experience." A professional tone overtook Ben's voice, his brothers lining up beside him as to present themselves manageable.

[T/5. Joseph Shelton]

As Joseph was completing restocking his bag, he was stopped by a deep and forward voice that had called to him. He slowly turned around in a casual manner to see a handful of soldiers standing around. They were African-American soldiers, but Joseph didn't care for the politics involved in segregation or racism. To him, everyone was here to do a job, and he supported and befriended anyone who could pull their weight. Ethnicity was taboo to him.

The soldier who had spoke was a corporal, as Joseph had noticed the chevrons on his sleeve. Joseph was technically the same rank, but being in a technician position he had no authority other than to direct medical care. Joseph nodded to the corporal. "Yeah, as a matter of fact I'm on my way out with some boys in the 101st to assist on a patrol." Joseph spoke with his New Orleans, almost cajun like accent as he finished stocking his bag and sealed it up. He slung the bag over his neck and began walking past the men, assuming they would follow as he continued talking.

"I'm no boss so I can't say whether or not you can join us. You'd have to ask the guys I'm heading out with. If all else fails, I could sure use an extra set of hands in the field for a few hours. It'd give your boy some experience as well." Joseph exited the medical tent, walking towards the jeep in which the paratroopers were waiting. Joseph himself had been a paratrooper, made noticeable by his Corcoran jump boots. But transfers weren't uncommon and hence why he currently resided in the 3rd Infantry Division, but kept the boots of course.

He threw some equipment into the back of the jeep, and he could tell immediately that two of the paratroopers were eyeballing the black soldiers. Joseph decided to end any tension before it started. "Relax fellas, they ain't Germans." The two paratroopers left off a light smile each, realizing there was no time for bullshit. Joseph hopped into the jeep and turned back to the corporal, grinning. "You coming with us or not?"

(OOC: If you're looking to join the actual battle, I'm sure you can sign up with your NPCs. Or just let me use your medic as previously discussed).

[Ben Shirley]

The medic looked like one of those tender white boys that Ben saw all the time, although most medics couldn't stand combat but still healed those in the war. Hyprocritical and boring to conversate with, he knew that going into battle with him was not Ben's cup of tea. A sigh slipped under his breath, rather annoyed that he too was taken by the 101st. He didn't hate them personally, but damn, the army needs to figure out a system so that one division doesn't take all of the other division's shit. Shaking his head in disapproval even though it didn't matter, the rest of the group followed the New Orleans white boy as he began to sling the medical bag over his shoulder.

Ben wasn't too surprised that the medic couldn't provide a confirmation on if his troops could join the patrol, but the idea turned more and more sour as the seconds passed by. The best he could was let Kevin get the experience he needed, so he could be a more effective member of the squad. Continuing to follow the medic without much responding, his squad just engaging in self-conversation, the sound of a jeep rumbled through Ben's ears. The dirt and gravel that kicked behind the vehicle left plenty of smoke and dust in its wake. Some of the wounded soldiers started coughing heavily, some with collapsed lungs and others with wounds that just got dirt in it. Inconsiderate fucks was the first thought that came to every black man's mind.

Ben studied the 101st, they looked like alright soldiers. He didn't want to hope for them to die, as such prayers can bite you in the ass in war. So all he did was get a growing hatred for them, but didn't express it through facial expressions. When asked if he was coming or not, all Ben did was stare for a moment or two, a cold stare. "Nah, I reconsidered. But I'm sure you could still use the medic, Kevin, hop in the Jeep and follow ONLY the orders of the Doc for the time being. I expect him back alive or I shall hold you and the soldiers responsible, is that clear Sir medic?"

Kevin entered the jeep without question, as he nodded to the order. Putting his medical bag next to the Doc, he just sat a little shy, looking at Ben with an expression of gratitude to let him gain valuable experience in combat.

[T/5. Joseph Shelton]

Joseph couldn't tell if the corporal disliked him, or just had a general stance of apathy towards anyone at all. But he brushed off such thoughts. He wasn't in the slicks of the Ardennes looking for the approval of someone he didn't even know. He instead, focused his thoughts on tending to the new medic in need of experience.

"You have my word he'll be okay. This won't be my first rodeo." Joseph gave a tip of his helmet to the corporal as the jeep slowly accelerated and eventually drove away from him and the rest of his squad. Joseph, sitting in the back next to the young medic named Kevin, turned to him. "So your corporal there seems like he couldn't give two shits about anyone huh? So where you from Kevin?"

Joseph could tell that Kevin was knew to all this. He seemed like a quiet kid fresh out of training. Nothing like a good tangle with some hot lead to get the blood pumping and drive for experience going, Joseph thought. The fact was there weren't enough medics to go around as of late, and the demand for them were all over the ETO. Even more scary is that most were being pushed out of training in less time than truly required. So even if a unit received a medic, there were doubts of his abilities. And like Joseph, Kevin would have to prove himself. Now would be the best time.

[Ben Shirley]

The confusion of Ben's behavior was evident on the face of the Doc, Kevin simply just sat in the jeep without uttering a word or making any large movements, just subtle fidgeting as the car started moving and wind pushed in and around his face. The blond hair began to wave around violently, the sun shining down onto the surrounding landscape, a blanket of warmth that went all the way to the horizons. The facial expression of Kevin was basically the same as Ben's when spoken to out of nowhere, not showing that he was actually quite startled.

"Hes just like that sometimes. Its tough having to raise 4 brothers in the ghetto, especially with the kind of bullshit he went through. Don't worry, it bothered me at first but you get used to it," commented Kevin while he took out a pack of cigarettes, he always used this to calm down soldiers when they were nervous. That way, he could treat patients far more easily while they are in a mellow state. "You want a cigarette?"

Not waiting for him to answer, he put the opened pack of cigarettes between him and Doc so he could take one if needed, while the soldiers in the front driving could take a smoke. It didn't matter anyway. Looking at the Doc once more, Kevin answered with a low tone, "Utah. Born in Chicago and raised there till my teens. Moved to Utah with my parents later before enlisting in the Medic Corps. Whats your story, sir?" answered Kevin. He was as timid as a rabbit, but had the swagger of an old man. Weird combination really.

[T/5. Joseph Shelton]

Joseph shook off the cigarette offer. "No thanks, I don't smoke." He could hardly hear Kevin, as he spoke with such a low tone that it was hard at times to make out what he was saying. Joseph could easily tell that despite his demeanor, Kevin was timid, and most likely nervous to be out here. And really and truly, who could blame him? They were all over here facing death. Who's to judge someone else for a common human instinct called fear?

He smiled at Kevin. "Well, first don't call me sir. I'm not an officer and I'm not a superior. Most people around here simply call me "Doc." And that's a title you have to earn around here, kid." Joseph looked around the area they were riding through. A typical patch of dense forest in the cold Ardennes. Snow was everywhere. On the ground, on the trees, on the jeep itself. Of course, it also wasn't uncommon to see bloodstains and footprints in the snow as well, which reminded everyone that this was no Winter wonderland.

Joseph continued the conversation. "I'm from New Orleans, born and raised. Was going to become a doctor until Hitler decided he wanted to take over the world. Rather than sit back and watch my friends go off, I decided to put my academics aside and enlist as a medic. I figured that I'd get experience while serving that will help me when I get home... If I get home.

[Ben Shirley]

The "Doc" had a confident ego, a common trait among the Allied soldiers since most of them thought war was fun and beautiful, filled with rose petals and 5-star hotels. Kevin used to have that kind of thinking, that since he was a medic he wouldn't be exposed to enemy fire or he would be treated like royalty since he could save the life of any soldier. But before going under the command of Ben, he tried to stop a simple bullet would to the bicep, and failed to stop the bleeding or keep it from getting infected. Before the soldier could die, his commanding officer killed the solder with a bullet to the head, saying that it would be better for Kevin if no one knew. Not something you wanted to talk about, it left Kevin what people call "emotionally scarred".

"The medics have it easy. The Geneva Convention protects us as long as we are unarmed in combat and we don't have to go crazy about killing a man for the first time."


It was true, the soldiers had to go through much bullshit from their commanding officers, the total system screw ups caused by the army and the lack of supplies they get every day. The amount of trauma caused by seeing your best friends die by a simple grenade or the thought of killing a man haunted many a soldier, but the medics just had to treat bullet wounds and do surgery when needed. Only thing they had to worry about was being queasy around blood or not knowing a certain medical procedure.

"We'll survive, most medics. Its whether they return home sane is the question," Kevin said. He didn't say much more, just letting the statement sit in the air but of course, the Doc could break the silence whenever he felt like it. Kevin wasn't much for conversation unless it involved helping him learning the basic medical procedures for various wounds.

[T/5. Joseph Shelton]

Joseph chuckled under his breath. He could tell that Kevin was naive and inexperienced to war. Unfortunately, he would soon learn the truth and horrors that Joseph had once too figured were non-existent to the medical corps. "You really think that, huh kid?" Joseph looked around the path they were riding, squinting his eyes as the Sun peeked out for a brief moment before being covered again by the thick clouds. He turned back to Ben.

"If you believe ol' Gerry's gonna care whether or not you have that red cross on your shoulder, you have another thing coming. The Geneva Convention means nothing once you're out here in the shit." Joseph didn't mean to scare Kevin, or come off as some cocky uncaring medic. Joseph believed in his work, and was true to his duties. "Like everyone else, you just have to watch yourself and keep safe, but don't think for one second you have it any safer out here than the rest. It only takes one bullet, or one mortar, or one grenade to send you home in a box. And believe me, it's happened."

Joseph decided to change the mood of discussion, as talking about being killed certainly wasn't the most exciting thing to discuss. "So Kevin, what made you decide to become a medic?" Joseph was expecting Kevin to give a typical answer, such as wanting to save lives, become a doctor, or something else along those lines.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

Moderation Post:

The following CP has been issed:

Shelton - 4CP

Shirley - 4CP

-JT