Post by Brett Thomas Hodgson on Dec 17, 2009 0:48:05 GMT -5
Username: JTWest
Character Name: James Thomas West
Rank: Staff Sergeant
What Army Will You Serve Beneath? : US(American)
Nationality: American
Character History:
Staff Notes:
Character Name: James Thomas West
Rank: Staff Sergeant
What Army Will You Serve Beneath? : US(American)
Nationality: American
Character History:
James Thomas West was born on November 6, 1923 in Cherry Creek, Wyoming. His father, Henry West, was the foreman for a lumber yard, and his mother, Beatrice, was a stay at home wife. Thomas was a very fit and active boy from the time he could walk. Throughout his school days he excelled at sports including baseball and football. His favorite, however, was football. When James was not on the football field, he was in the classroom. He was very intelligent and got very good grades as well. Early on, he showed very good leadership potential, and became a natural leader of the boys on his football team. His senior year of High School he was the captain of the football team. When America was pushed into the great conflagration known as World War Two after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, James rushed to the local recruiting office in his Father's 1940 Model A pickup. He drove the 20 miles to the office, enlisted in the army, and went home to tell his parents. He excelled in Boot Camp and was given the rank of Staff Sergeant due to his good leadership skills. He is a competant and good combat leader. He is well liked in his squad, and has dedicated himself to getting as many of his boys safely back home as possible. He was assigned to a Recon outfit in an armored division. Soon, he will be tested in battle....Writing Sample:
It had been 7 hours now since Staff Sergeant West had been seperated from his squad. He had led them on a snatch and grab mission behind enemy lines. The Lieutenant had said that enemy opposition in front of them was light, but it had proven to be anything but that. As he led his squad though some woods in front of their lines, they had been taken by surprise. An enemy machine gun opened up on them. Quickly realizing the situation could go wrong, very fast, he ordered his men to retreat while he covered them with his M1 Garand. After firing severl clips of ammunition, an enemy squad began to try and pursue him.Approved/Denied?: Approved
West took off into the trees parallel to the friendly lines. Now, he was alone. Growing up in the woods around his house in Wyoming greatly helped him now. He had thought that he lost the enemy patrol, but for some reason, he felt like he was still being watched.
West slowly came to a stop behind a tree. He crouched down low to the ground, and listened to his surroundings. He cautiously watched all around him for any signs of unnatural movement. He could feel himself growing thirsty.
"No," he thought to himself. "If you take a swig of that water, and there is too little in there, the water will slosh around while you are walking and someone might hear you."
He wiped the sweat from his brow. He took out his compass. If his bearings were correct, he was 400 yards due west of the small creek the led from the enemy lines to the Allied lines.
"I get to that creek, follow it to the Allied side, and I am home free," he thought.
He put his compass away now - could feel the dryness in his mouth. He just had to keep going. His boys were probably back safe, and he needed to get back to make sure they were alright.
Slowly looking up again, he could see movement in the trees about 45 yards away. Quickly but quietly, West lay on the ground. A fallen tree limb lay in front of him. He slowly rested his rifle on it. He watched as the sounds of movement came closer and closer to him. Now, he could see the uniforms. Germans - four of them. They must be on a routine patrol. He quickly aimed at the rear German. Last one first, and the others won't know where the fire is coming from.
The Germans grew ever closer, closing to within 30 yards now. West took his careful aim. Slowly exhaling, he pulled the trigger. The rifle bucked against his shoulder. He watched as the rear German's head snapped back. Quickly shifting his aim, he got a bead on the 3rd German. He fired another two rounds at the man's chest. He watched as the German jerked and toppled over onto the ground.
The other two Germans quickly found cover behind some trees. He could hear them yelling to each other. "They don't know what's going on," West thought. He reached into his trouser pocket, and pulled out a hand grenade. He pulled the pin, and held the sthingy firmly. Now, all those years of football will pay off. West slowly came to a kneel and threw the grenade. Without waiting for it to explode, he took off toward the creek.
Boom! He heard the explosion echo through the forrest. He ran as fast as he could. One foot in front of the other. His legs burning. He couldn't stop. He was getting closer. Could hear the sounds of the moving water. He could see the creek now. His lungs ached and burned. His mouth was dry. If only he could pause only for an instance and take a slow drink from it's cool waters.
Crack! A tree to the right of West was hit by a rifle bullet. They were catching up now. West quickly dove behind a tree next to the creek's bank. He looked at the ground behind him. There were about 6 Germans closing in on him now.
He quickly fired off 5 rounds towards the Germans coming after him. He could see one of them fall holding his arm. The clip ejected with a loud, "Ping!" They opened fire on him now. He could hear the German Burp gun with its stacato firing. The rounds impacted the earth around him. He quickly stuffed another clip into the rifle in one fluid motion. He fired three more rouns now in quick succession. It was now or never. He took off running toward the Allied lines, closely following the creek. He had put some space between himself and the Germans now.
Soon, he could see a machine gun nest up ahead. He quickly dove to the ground. The machine gun rounds impacted all around him. He rolled immediately to a tree. That's no Kraut gun, he thought!
"Bugs!" West cried out.
"Jitter!" came back an American voice.
"It's Staff Sergeant West! I'm coming out. Cover me, there may be some Germans still behind me following."
"Okay, go!" yelled the voice.
West took off into the American lines. He jumped in the foxhole next to the machine gun team.
"Gee, Sarge. We was sure worried about ya'. Lieutenant figured you fer a goner," the red headed soldier said.
"No, Private. Not today." West slowly stood and walked to the rear where his squad was pleasantly surprised and happy to see him, and where the Lieutenant was waiting to debrief him.
Staff Notes:
Approved! Overall great application. Nice to see some new members! Welcome to the board. I apologize on the delay.
Please use the register link on top of the site to create your actual account so I can accept you to the board...
Welcome,
~Austin!