November 1963, 21 year old volunteer(us army) at Ft knox. in early January, very cold and 2 inches of snow on the ground, our training company started to march up MISERY and AGONY.

As a 130 lbs. Squad Leader, and the smallest man in the company, I had to lead off. Halfway up the first hill, the biggest man in our platoon(250 lbs.), gave out and sat down in the snow. Our Platoon Sgt. told me to get him to the top if we had to drag him. I picked the 2 largest men in our platoon, and had them throw his arms over their shoulders and carry him to the top of both hills. To make the task easier, I carried his pack and mine, plus 4 M-14 rifles over both hills. When we crested the second one, the Battalion Commander asked my Sgt. who the little guy was who was carrying all that gear to the top of both hills. The Sgt., replied loudly "the best and smartest recruit in the whole damned battalion, and gave me a well done as we passed him.

That was the best compliment I ever got on active duty, and a good lesson to the whole company about sticking up for one another all the time.

You never know when it might be your turn to need help from your buddies.

Sp5 W. W. maish
Indpls., In