The Lonely War Read Online Free PDF Page A

cheeks bulged and he nearly spit it out, but he swallowed and locked his jaw against the taste. “I hear the mess situation is real bad, sir. It’s causing an ugly morale problem.”
    Right on target, Mitchell thought. We’ve got a cook who can’t read a recipe and no one else will strike for cook because the crew derides anyone who works in the galley. And with only one cook, I can’t even give old Cocoa a night of liberty because he has to stay aboard to prepare meals for the watch. I’d sell my mother for a competent cook. He took a hopeful look at Hudson but dismissed the thought. Hudson was obviously too proud.
    Mitchell had approached every ship’s executive officer at each port, begging to trade a boatswain’s mate, or helmsman, or even a machinist’s mate in exchange for a cook. No takers. Most simply laughed and shook their heads. A few gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder and suggested another ship he might try.
    Mitchell pulled a pack of Lucky Strikes and a book of matches from his shirt pocket. He offered Hudson a cigarette and lit one himself.
    “Before we get sidetracked onto the ship’s problems,” Mitchell said, waving out the match and dropping it into an ashtray, “let’s talk about you. You’ve been in the Navy twelve years and you’re only a petty officer third class. Why is that?” The lieutenant skimmed through the file while smoke curled above his head.
    “Bad luck, sir. I made first class twice. I do my job and try to uphold the Navy code, but then along comes the code and kicks me on my ass.” Hudson shook his head, making a show of seeming bewildered. “I’m okay with my rank, sir. What’s important is that I do my job and that I get some liberty every now and then. I mean, I love the Navy—the shipboard life, traveling to exotic ports, riding the tail of a storm on the open sea. There ain’t nothing like it, sir.”
    “Says here you were busted four times, each one for fighting, and you hospitalized an MP who tried to break up a brawl that you started. Seems you’re quite the wild man whenever you drink. But here’s a letter of commendation for your actions aboard the California at Pearl.”
    “Just doing my duty, sir. Them swabbies was plain stupid to get caught belowdecks, and someone had to help them.”
    Mitchell closed the file and held Hudson’s eye.
    “We’ve got a green crew. The average age is only twenty, and most of them enlisted after December seventh. We desperately need men with your experience to set an example. That means doing your job, keeping your mouth shut, and helping the officers harmonize this crew into a cohesive fighting unit. The only thing you’ve shown so far is name-calling and instigating trouble. That stops now!”
    Hudson’s gaze fell to the tabletop, with him showing no sign that the message had sunk in.
    “You called Waters a half Jap and would have prompted a fight if I hadn’t been there. That behavior is unacceptable. You will show Waters the same respect that you show the others.”
    “Sir, I was respectful. I called him a half Jap, even though there ain’t no such thing. Just like there ain’t no such thing as a half nigger. You is or you ain’t, and that boy is yellow to the bone.”
    “I suppose you hate Chief Ogden for being an Indian?”
    “At least his grand-pappy was born on American soil instead of some stink-hole in Asia or Africa.”
    “Waters and Washington are every bit as American as you and I, and they are as important to the operation of this ship as you are. You will treat them with respect, and that’s an order.”
    “But, sir—”
    “Shut up! You’re here to listen.” Mitchell stared him down without flinching, letting a silent half minute pass. “Keep your nose clean and I’ll put some stripes on your arm, but if you don’t, I’ll run your ass into the brig for the duration. Then we’ll see what the Marines at Camp Pendleton can do with you.”
    Hudson cocked his head to one side to