Chapter 208 Captain Parks

Although the main attack launched by the 363rd German Division against the left wing of the 506th Regiment at dawn that day, the small-scale operation on the levee is probably crucial. If the two companies of the German SS occupied the south side of the levee without hindrance, they would attack the regiment's command post when Colonel Sink focused his attention on Orphius.

Lieutenant Colonel Chase decided to meet Lieutenant Parks at the battalion headquarters. When he asked the non-commissioned officer on duty in the battalion to find Parks, he was watching a commendation order, which was signed by the head of Sink himself.

"Don-Dun-Dun!" There was a knock on the door, and he didn't look up, but shouted, "Please come in!"

Parks heard the invitation inside and pushed the door in. He saw Chase reading a document and standing at his desk. And he seems to be the only one in the whole battalion headquarters. He couldn't help opening his mouth.

"Please sit down, Lieutenant Parks!" Lieutenant Colonel Chase came over and made a gesture of invitation to Parks. Then he unfolded the document in his hand and said to Parks, "Through this brave attack and flexible use of tactics against the numerically superior enemy, the platoon caused heavy casualties to the enemy and frustrated the enemy's command post from the rear wing attack battalion. The attempt."

After reading it, Lieutenant Colonel Chase handed the document to Parks and said, "This is a commendation order signed by Colonel Sink himself. Let me give it to you in person!" I hope you can read it to them in front of the second row of the E Company and all the brothers.

"I think it's more appropriate for you to read this. This is your right!" Parks opened his hand to him.

"No, no, you earned this." Lieutenant Colonel Chase nodded to him and smiled, "I'm very happy that you can achieve such an achievement. To be honest, you saved the battalion and regimental headquarters."

Parks nodded and smiled, "Well, in this case, I will be happy to share it with the brothers in the second row of E and all the brothers. I'm proud of them!"

Lieutenant Colonel Chase smiled at Parks and said, "I'm also proud of you. To be honest, this is the last order I signed for you as a battalion commander. Fortunately, this is a commendation order!"

Parks couldn't help standing up, looked at Lieutenant Colonel Chase, and said in surprise, "I don't understand, sir. What exactly does this mean? Maybe I should say congratulations, right?

Lieutenant Colonel Chase smiled and said, "This is just something that has been decided for a long time. Lieutenant Parks, you know, since Major Hurdon's death, I temporarily took over the second battalion from the regimental headquarters. In yesterday's battle, Lieutenant Colonel Charles of the regiment went to the front line to check the situation, but was hit by German artillery fire. The regimental headquarters is now short of manpower, so Colonel Sink transferred me over again. So--" Lieutenant Colonel Chase shrugged his shoulders at Parks and smiled, "That's the result!"

Parks couldn't help laughing and asked Lieutenant Colonel Chase to extend his hand and said, "Anyway, I still want to congratulate you. Lieutenant Colonel. It seems that you have been promoted.

"If this is also a promotion, of course!" Chase spread out his hands and said with a smile.

"Well--" When Parks wanted to ask further, Lieutenant Colonel Chase suddenly smiled at Parks and said, "You must have thought that who will take over the position of the second battalion, right? Yes, it's Dick. He served as the deputy commander of the second battalion and had rich experience and performed very well on the battlefield. There is no doubt that he is the best candidate for the battalion, and I have recommended him to Colonel Sink. I believe that his formal appointment will come down soon.

"Oh, this is really--" Parks didn't know how to say it, but it was really good news. He nodded and said with a smile, "It's a great honor for these days to be led by your leaders!"

"Me too. You are the best officer I have ever led, Parks, work hard!" With that, Lieutenant Colonel Chase stretched out his hand to him. This was a farewell ceremony.

Winters became the battalion commander of the second battalion. Parks felt inexplicably excited when he came out of the battalion. He was happy that Winters had just arrived. After all, who won't like the promotion?

It is true that Winters is going to be the battalion commander of the second battalion. Shortly after the battle, Colonel Sink called Winters to the regiment headquarters, and it was obvious that he admired Winters. And in the recent series of commands, Winters did play a key role. For example, his judgment of the encounter with Parks was very accurate. He timely informed the British artillery to fight together and sent Lieutenant Spiel of Company D to reinforce, thus defeating the two companies of the German assault regiment in one fell swoop and severely damaged them.

"What do you think of letting you take a camp?" Colonel Sink asked when he met Winters at the regimental headquarters.

"Your officer?" Winters couldn't help but be confused, "I'm the deputy battalion commander of the second battalion now, sir!"

Colonel Sink took a cigar, took a sip, and then smiled and pointed to him and said, "I mean to completely take over the second battalion. You will be the commander, Dick, I know you are an excellent officer."

"But--" Winters took a deep breath. He was only 26 years old this year. He was only three months as captain and company commander. He had been a deputy battalion commander for less than a month. Now he was about to be promoted to the camp, which really shocked him. Winters took a deep breath and replied, "Sir, sir, I am still in charge of some administrative work. I'm worried--"

"Don't worry," Sink comforted him, "I'll take care of this. I will find someone to replace you, and maybe you can find someone to share the work for you. You are the battalion commander now, and you should have your own decision-making power over the personnel of the battalion headquarters. Don't worry, I won't interfere with you."

"Thank you very much, sir! I think I will try my best to do this job!" Winters saluted Colonel Sink, and it was obvious that he was very grateful for Sink's decision.

"Well, what do you think of Parks?" Although Colonel Sink said he didn't care about his battalion, he couldn't help saying a person's name, "He is a very excellent officer, which is beyond doubt!"

Winters nodded and said, "Yes, but I think he may not be suitable for administrative work. He is more suitable for leading troops on the battlefield, which is his strength!"

Colonel Sink nodded and smiled, "Maybe you're right! Well, I have nothing more to say. You decide the administrative matters by yourself, and you don't have to consider my factors!"

"Thank you, sir!" Winters nodded and was ready to leave. This promotion made him a little dizzy. Obviously, the speed of promotion was really fast. Even if he has a relatively calm mind, he can't help feeling a little excited in his heart. Of course, what he wants most is to be able to share it with Nixon, Wales and Parks now.

"Yes, Dick!" Sink did not mean to let him go immediately. He said to Winters, "General Taylor is very proud of Lieutenant Parks' battle. He intends to widely publicize this operation in the 101st Airborne Division. Maybe he has now issued this order to the Public Relations Office of the Division.

"What do you mean?" Winters looked at Colonel Sink in surprise.

Colonel Sink took out a small delicate box and handed it to Winters with a smile, "Of course, this is not for publicity. Parks's achievements are worthy of such an official rank. I think it will be a double honor for him to be awarded to him by you in person.

Winters opened the box and saw a silver bar inside. Parks is now a lieutenant of a silver bar, so with one, it is obvious that his rank has been promoted as Colonel Sink said.

"I think he will be very grateful, sir!" Winters felt that the harvest this time was too big, and even a little floating. But it really happened like this. Winters left the regimental headquarters in Colonel Sink's gratifying smile. He can't wait to go back to the camp.

In the camp, Winters met Lieutenant Colonel Chase who was packing up. Of course, Winters' happy face could not hide it from Lieutenant Chase. When he saw Winters coming in, he immediately stopped his work and greeted him with a smile, "I think Colonel Sink must have told you! Congratulations, Battalion Leader Winters!"

"Congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel Chase!" Winters quickly restrained his look of joy. He politely shook hands with Lieutenant Colonel Chase. After all, he had just left, so he was so happy that it was a little unreasonable.

Winters and Lieutenant Colonel Chase talked for a while, but the topic was always inseparable from the promotion to the second battalion, and even to Parks. While chatting, Chase also packed his luggage and documents. He stopped and smiled and said, "I should have waited for a few more days to report to the regimental headquarters, but I am very relieved that you will be a good battalion commander!"

"Thank you! Lieutenant Colonel Chase!" Winters smiled at him slightly.

Lieutenant Colonel Chase did not stay in the second battalion for a long time. Although the formal appointment has not been made, it doesn't matter. He just handed over the battalion commander's position to Winters in advance, which was good for him.

After Winters waited for Lieutenant Colonel Chase to go out, he couldn't help walking to the desk that Chase often used, tried the chair in front of the desk with his hands, and then sat on it carefully, feeling a little wonderful. He put himself in a very comfortable position, lying on the chair and putting his feet on the desk.

"Wow!" At this time, there was a whistle at the door, followed by an exclamation. You don't have to look at it, you know that Nixon has arrived at the battalion. Looking at Winters sitting in the position of Lieutenant Colonel Chase, he couldn't help shaking his head and laughing, "It seems that you want to replace Lieutenant Colonel Chase, right? God, I just saw Lieutenant Colonel Chase leave, as if he was going to the regimental headquarters. No wonder you are so bold!"

"Do you think I'm going to take the position of Lieutenant Colonel Chase?" Winters grinned.

Nixon looked at him in surprise. He rarely saw the moment when Winters showed his expression: "Did you take the wrong medicine?"

"No, no, Nick, let me tell you the truth. Do you know what Colonel Sink asked me to do today?" Winters smiled and said, "Lt. Lieutenant Colonel Chase has been transferred to the regimental headquarters as the combat chief of staff, and told me to take over the position of battalion commander of the second battalion!"

"Wow!" Nixon whistled again in surprise, and then smiled at Winters, "You're so lucky Dick! What about Parks? What will he get?

Winters looked at Nixon and smiled, "I'm afraid you'll have to call him Captain Parks when you see him in the future!"

(to be continued)