Diminutive Lieutenant: A Tale of Unlikely Heroism

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Lieutenant Colonel Clifford Layton was very diminutive, all of five feet one inches, barely making the Army’s cut off for size. He was skinny and wore glasses, since he was nearsighted. He was an Army reservist in the Quartermaster Corps. His civilian job was a used car salesman. He wasn’t the greatest at his job, but he was able to make a living at it. He relished his job in the reserves and wished he could have gone full time, but his size was always an obstacle, so he found it difficult for any command to readily accept him. He was also a true blue supporter of Colonel Magnus, verging on hero worship. He had been wondering about the aircraft issue for weeks. For some reason it bugged him, even though he wasn’t a pilot. Although he …show more content…

He turned the ignition, but nothing happened. “Ready to switch it out?” Captain Shirl asked. “Nope, one more try,” Captain Heart responded. The entire time Lt Colonel Layton stood nearby and watched. The squad of soldiers they had brought with them, instead or providing security, was watching the entire event unfold. Captain Heart turned the ignition one more time. This time there was a response, something kicked, and the engine coughed and turned. Captains Heart and Shirl were caught by surprise, and Lt Colonel Layton stood, his full attention directed towards Captain Heart. Captain Heart adjusted the throttle and mix, then tried the ignition. The engine coughed once, and then kicked to life as strong as ever. The Captain revved the engine as the first mortar landed squarely on top of the Cessna killing the two Captains, Lt Colonel Layton and setting two of the three aircraft on fire. The squad that was supposed to be providing security had scattered a bit, lost in the chaos they tried to find where the mortar had come from. It was too late for them. Several more mortars had found their marks killing all of the squad members and setting the other aircraft on …show more content…

They were part of the rear guard covering the other elements retreating out of the Fort. It became apparent to Echo Company’s Officers what they were observing. If they got the aircraft up and running they’d be able to find the main body and formulate some sort of attack. Unfortunately, for Echo Company, 2nd Platoon’s actions would give their location away eventually to Colonel Magnus’s forces. However, they still had time to get out of dodge before they figured out the men they had just killed weren’t coming back anytime

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