The Sound of Courage

Part Two

"Rise and shine boys!" shouted Lieutenant Colonel Harris. James was sleeping in his bunk. He blinked his eyes to help him wake up and hopped off the top bunk. Today wasn't like any other day. Today was the day James and his peers were shipping out for war. He got in the single file line with the other soldiers. James made sure to stand straight and tall as Colonel Harris walked down the line inspecting each soldier carefully. "Today is your boy's ticket out. Everything we taught you will use to fight and survive. You represent our country no matter where you are on the battlefield! Whether you're in the air, on sea, or on land you will fight and leave no man behind. You'll show those damn Japs what hell really is like! You'll fight till you cannot fight no more! Do not let these months worth of training go to waste! Now look to your left and to your right....some of you will come back home as heroes and live to see another day, others will return with flags over your body. You've prepare your whole life for this. When you're fighting out there let everyone know that the United States Navy does not submit nor surrender, we fight till last man standing! I wish you well and hope you all fight honorably." Colonel Harris said giving an inspiring speech. James was eager to go into war. He was given the rank of second lieutenant. He would be replacing a lieutenant who died and be given his own small platoon of soldiers. James was shipping off to a fleet in the South Pacific near the Solomon Islands. Him and his platoon were in charge to fly over any Japanese islands to observe any new information or strange activity. The task was very hazardous considering you risk being shot down. It was only given to very well train pilots. James was the top in his class for pilot lessons, granting him such dangerous missions. His crew would also be in charge of bombing other islands if given the order to do so. James packed his duffel bag and said his farewells to his friends hoping them for the best. He wished that all him and friends would reunite after the war was over, whenever that was. James walked out the barracks and boarded his plane for take-off. He sat down in his seat and tuck in his seat belt. As the plane descended from the ground, James looked down at the naval base from the window feeling uncertain whether he'll return alive or in a coffin.