Mickey's Kid
Home from Korea
July, 1952
Mickey Smith leans on the bar, “Bill, I’d like you to meet my son, Jimmy. Just home from Korea. Fourteen months with the 1st Cav.”
Bill shakes hands with Jimmy, “Welcome home. What’s your pleasure?”
“Coupla beers,” Mickey lays $20.00 on the bar. Bill pushes the money back at him. “No charge – that’s Booker’s rule. Anyone who serves gets a free ride. At least until they get squared away at home. Cheers.”
Bill walks away.
Mickey turns to his son, “Well, Jimmy, I know that you saw sights over there that you don’t want to talk about – just as well not to say anything at home. Your mother and sisters are sensitive. They’ve worn out a couple of sets of Rosary Beads. When you’re at home, the less said the better. But I’d like to hear how you received your 2 decorations.”
“Now, Pa, there’s not much to say. I did what I was supposed to–just like everyone else.”
“You must have done more – what did you do to get those medals, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star?”
Jimmy answered, “The Army was awarding them to many soldiers. My best buddy, Moe, was shot in the chest – so I got out of my foxhole and dragged him to safety. Moe would have done it for me. In fact later that afternoon, the gooks hit us with a mortar attack – Ping! I got a piece of shrapnel in my leg and my platoon sargeant carried me back to the aid station. That’s the way it is. The 1st Cav takes care of it’s own.”
“You know son, you’re just like your brother John. Can’t wait to get in and get it over. Why just last week I asked him what he was going to do when he graduated from high school. You know what he said? He was going to join up – join up and get it over with. Pete Malloy, Jim Malloy’s kid, wants to join up with him. I thought he’d wait to get a job at the Gas Company. Speak to Paul Malloy – he’s a foreman – knows the guy in personnel – good advice for your brother – but no, he’s got his mind made up.”
July, 1952
Mickey Smith leans on the bar, “Bill, I’d like you to meet my son, Jimmy. Just home from Korea. Fourteen months with the 1st Cav.”
Bill shakes hands with Jimmy, “Welcome home. What’s your pleasure?”
“Coupla beers,” Mickey lays $20.00 on the bar. Bill pushes the money back at him. “No charge – that’s Booker’s rule. Anyone who serves gets a free ride. At least until they get squared away at home. Cheers.”
Bill walks away.
Mickey turns to his son, “Well, Jimmy, I know that you saw sights over there that you don’t want to talk about – just as well not to say anything at home. Your mother and sisters are sensitive. They’ve worn out a couple of sets of Rosary Beads. When you’re at home, the less said the better. But I’d like to hear how you received your 2 decorations.”
“Now, Pa, there’s not much to say. I did what I was supposed to–just like everyone else.”
“You must have done more – what did you do to get those medals, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star?”
Jimmy answered, “The Army was awarding them to many soldiers. My best buddy, Moe, was shot in the chest – so I got out of my foxhole and dragged him to safety. Moe would have done it for me. In fact later that afternoon, the gooks hit us with a mortar attack – Ping! I got a piece of shrapnel in my leg and my platoon sargeant carried me back to the aid station. That’s the way it is. The 1st Cav takes care of it’s own.”
“You know son, you’re just like your brother John. Can’t wait to get in and get it over. Why just last week I asked him what he was going to do when he graduated from high school. You know what he said? He was going to join up – join up and get it over with. Pete Malloy, Jim Malloy’s kid, wants to join up with him. I thought he’d wait to get a job at the Gas Company. Speak to Paul Malloy – he’s a foreman – knows the guy in personnel – good advice for your brother – but no, he’s got his mind made up.”