A stocky, muscular officer in woolen ODs appeared in the aircraft door. There were two stars pinned to his “overseas cap.”
The band started playing “Garry Owen” again.
People in the ranks began to applaud.
Someone bellowed “Atten-hut!”
Cronley saw that it was a full colonel standing facing the two ranks of greeters.
When the applause died, the colonel did a crisp about-face movement and saluted.
The major general at the head of the stairs returned it crisply.
That is one tough sonofabitch.
The tough sonofabitch turned and then with great care helped a motherly-looking woman down the stairs.
They then disappeared from sight.
Three minutes later, the general appeared, now shaking hands with the major standing ahead of Cronley in the comrades and personal friends rank. He was trailed by the woman and a handful of aides.
They disappeared again to reappear sixty seconds or so later, now in front of Captain Dunwiddie.
“Chauncey, I’m delighted to see you!” the general said. “Honey, look who’s here! Chauncey!”
The woman stood on her toes and kissed Captain Dunwiddie.
Major General I.D. White looked at Captain Cronley.
“You are, Captain?”
“Cronley, sir. James D. Junior.”
“You hear that, Paul?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Bingo!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong. What’s next is that I go to make my manners to General Eisenhower . . .”
“To General Smith, sir. General Eisenhower is in Berlin.”
“Okay. And Mrs. White goes to the bahnhof to get on my train?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Put these two in the car with her,” General White ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
General White stepped in front of the first sergeant standing next to Cronley.
“How are you, Charley?” he asked. “Good to see you.”
[SEVEN]