Placebo: Pearl Harbor to Saigon

By Albert Fales

Following is a brief look into the episodes of the past, that have had an influence on the nations of the world, and eventually led to the outbreak of W.W. II that pretty well covered the globe. In 1894, segments of history were starting to unfold that eventually would have an impact on the US as a nation, and especially to the individual citizens of our country.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 12, 2006
• ISBN: 9781465328502

Albert Fales

I, the author was born on a farm in 1922, about 175 miles north of Detroit, Michigan. My family moved to Standish Michigan at the start of the 1929 crash of the U.S. economy. I enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 and served as a radio operator on a B-24 bomber in the C.B.I. in both India and China. Came home in 1945 and was married for 62 years until my girl passed away.

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Copyright © 2006 by Albert Fales.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission

in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

Intro to Placebo

The story, PLACEBO, gives a short journey through the major conflicts of the

recent centuries that have fostered the conditions, that precipitated two of the

wars in the 20th century that this story is based on, and the United States became

involved in. This story relates some of the episodes of these two conflicts, and the

way it affected the two generations involved.

The story begins with the cause, and entry of the U.S. into WW-II, and

eventually shows how some of our sons fought in the Viet Nam war, and how

it affected lives of some of those who were forever changed by this sad episode

in American history. It also gives an insight into the effect the war had on the

nation, and those citizens involved including rationing and black-marketing.

Parts of this tale are fact based truth, and others are fiction but in all categories, it is a historical trip into the past.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

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Contents

PREFACE

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

PART 2

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

Persons To whom I wish to give credit, for help in obtaining material.

My wife, Betty, Mrs Jean Broucek, Dwight Hankins, Ken Adrian,

Jim Warren, Linda Vanhorn

PREFACE

A look at world history that few know about, to help me set thestage for the story.

The history of the world has been immersed under a cloud of discontent, turmoil, and combat, as far back as records have been written, whether they are in Script, Latin, Hieroglyphics, or Pictograph. These periods of skirmishes over the centuries, lead us up to a period of time that is relevant to us, as residents of the present millennium.

Following is a brief look into the episodes of the past, that have had an influence on the nations of the world, and eventually led to the outbreak of W.W. II that pretty well covered the globe. In 1894, segments of history were starting to unfold that eventually would have an impact on the U.S. as a nation, and especially to the individual citizens of our country.

For a long period of time, Korea was under the influence of China. Japan was not in agreement with this policy, so she attacked one of China’s possessions on August 1, 1894. By 1895, China agreed to recognize Korea as an independent nation, rather than to continue the conflict with Japan.

In 1931, Japan again attacked China, with the idea of broadening the Japanese Empire. China was a huge country, and had many natural resources that Japan wanted to control. Japan was a small country, very densely populated, and as a nation, she needed more natural resources than were available on their island. The Chinese, completely unprepared, were over-run by the superior Japanese forces, who showed absolute disregard for human life, as they spread out over the Chinese homeland. When the Japanese forces went through the metropolis of Nanking, they slaughtered thousands of citizens because they were in the way. The records of atrocities against our military personnel committed by the Japanese, during the war in the Pacific Theater, leaves one with the feeling a revulsion and contempt, and yet they are now allied with us against the spread of terrorism.

A second part of history in Europe started to unfold when Germany, under the leadership of Adolph Hitler, a former corporal in the army, began an expansion campaign. Hitler was a man with little regard for human life, but he was a forceful speaker, and a fanatic about his convictions. He started a campaign to eliminate the Jewish people, first in Germany, but later in any nation he took control of. He soon decided that the entire European area should be under his control. He proceeded to march into Austria, Belgium, Poland, and France, and then double crossed the pact he had with Russia, by invading Russian territory with an impressive force, but here he hit a snag in the form of the Russian winter that bogged down his army.

Benito Mussolini was beginning to feel that he too, should make his mark on history, and decided to take Italy into the fray. Italy had once tried to take over Ethiopia, a country of 471,000 square miles in 1895, at a place called Adau, but Ethiopia prevailed, and continued to be independent until 1935, when Mussolini took his troops, aided by men and planes from Germany, into the battle for Ethiopia, and this time the mainly nomadic people, with their primarily primitive weapons, were not able to combat Mussolini. Ethiopia’s ruler, Haile Salassie, went into exile in Great Britain, until his country was liberated in 1941.

The German war machine kept rolling over the European countries, until it seemed that Great Britain was the only one left, not under the influence of Hitler’s forces. Even with this scenario, the United States continued to remain aloof, while still giving supplies to Great Britain in the form of lend lease that kept us being non-combatants in the actual fighting in Europe.

Meantime, on the other side of the world in the Orient, Japan continued her aggressive campaign to bring as much territory under her control as possible, and our trade policy allowed us to send thousands of tons of scrap steel to her blast furnaces. Our complacency and location, precluded sending up a red flare over the world situation, and the Imperial Nipponese Government took advantage of our naivety, by building battle ships and aircraft carriers, while we watched. Much of this buildup went on in secret, and this is where we were lax in international security measures. However, President Franklin Roosevelt had the ability to see over the horizon, and had started some production of arms and ammunition, allowing the United States some degree of foresight into the future.

The communication link between Japan and the United States, was producing little information on the situation in the Orient, and this was the intent of Hiro Hito and his admirals, who for years, had visions of ruling their half of the globe. The Japanese diplomats were adept at stalling, and disseminating misinformation, and this was not really being researched by our government agents, who did not realize the evil intent behind it.

A Japanese strike force, under the orders of Emperor Hiro Hito, led by a veteran Vice Admiral, Chuichi Nagumo, had been assembling a task force in the Kuril Islands. They assembled just below the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia, anchored in the south east tip of the Sea of Okhotsk. The ships were under Nagumo, but the entire operation was directed by Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, Supreme Commander of the Japanese fleet. Japan had for years, been observing successes and failures of other nations, and especially, Germany, during her war years. Their philosophy of use the good ideas and discard the bad, became part of the Japanese strategy in conflict.

On November 26, 1941, this armada of Japanese naval ships left their hiding place in the Kurils, and set a course north-east temporarily, and then swung south toward Hawaii. This action had been ordered by His Royal Highness, Hiro Hito, and even though his top military leaders had warned against it, the only option was obey or die. In this armada were six aircraft carriers, two battle ships, three cruisers, and a collection of destroyers, and fuel tankers. As the day of decision neared, tension on the ships grew to a fever pitch, and the crewmen swore to honor or face death in the coming days. The target was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the ships anchored there. Japanese aircraft swarmed over the island and the ships and planes there, dropping bombs and torpedoes. It was Sunday morning, December 7th of 1941. When the signal came back to the flag ship of Yamamoto, Tora-Tora, meaning success, his first remark was, I’m afraid we have wakened a sleeping giant. He was correct on both points. They had wakened a giant, and the giant had been sleeping. Only two years prior to this, the U.S. navy had staged a surprise mock attack on the anchorage there, and it was undetected. It would be obvious that this event was observed by Japan and used as part of their strategy.

Service persons on the air field, naval base, and Schofield Barracks, were filing out for breakfast, or church, or their duty stations. Suddenly, the roar of aircraft engines broke the quiet pattern of life on the island, and the staccato beat of machine guns came from the sky, interrupted by the sound of exploding bombs. Men were falling, hit by 6.5 machine gun bullets, while the harbor was afire with burning ships, as smoke and flames rose hundreds of feet into the air, forming ominous black clouds.

As of this day, the United States of America was at war with the nation of Japan, and it also brought us into the war against the German war machine, and those who sided with Germany. This included Italy, when Benito Mussolini the dictator of Italy, stuck out his chin, and declared that Italy was a staunch partner of the Nazi regime. This led to his execution, and the complete destruction of the Italian military. This, part of the war in Italy, however, resulted in the death and wounding of thousands of Allied troops, as they forged up through Italy from Africa to close off the routes of the Axis armies.

A young man, Mark Bradley, was one of the victims of this onslaught of bullets at Pearl Harbor, and he is the basis of the first part of this tale of intrigue and fact. This story is of course, fiction but it is based on my experiences as a small plane pilot, and radio operator on a B-24 bomber in W.W. II, and the trials of some of my friends during the war in Viet Nam.

A foot-note. It was later discovered that Japan had an agreement

   that she would rule the west half of the U.S. and

   Germany would control the east half.

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

It was a beautiful Sunday morning on one of the most ideal and sought after spots in the world, where the seventh day of December, 1941, became the day that will live in infamy in the minds of our people.

The people of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the nearby air base, were just starting their day. Some were on their way to their station, some headed toward the mess hall, while others let their steps lead toward church. Suddenly the roar of aircraft engines in the sky broke the serene aura of the location. The familiar sound of radial airplane engines grew in intensity, as the planes swept in from the north-east sky, and before anyone knew what was happening, bombs and torpedoes began falling from the aircraft, as machine gun bullets tore at the tarmac or ricocheted off buildings. Many of the bombs and torpedoes found their mark, and huge navy ships began to explode into hellish balls of fire, while thick black clouds of smoke rose into the sky, casting an ominous pall over the scene.

Many of the personnel were hit by the savage rain of bullets while seeking cover where ever it could be found. The cries of the wounded wrenched at the hearts of those still able to flee, or those who ran to assist the wounded or dying souls who lay on the tarmac, not able to move. Mark Bradley was one of the victims of a Japanese bullet.

Mark’s father had been a test pilot for the Army Air Force, but while testing a new experimental delta wing fighter, he was killed in a devastating crash. Mark had enlisted in the Air Force and was the protégé of one of his father’s old buddies who was in the Judge Advocate’s office on the base. This man was felled by one of the Japanese bullets and right beside him, another bullet from the twin gun shattered Mark’s leg.

One can only imagine how long it would take for the images of these horrors to fade into memories, that would lie under the surface, only to be reborn again when a spell of disparity would bring age old thoughts to the surface.

After many months in the hospital, Mark began to seek a new life as a civilian and try to adapt to his life without his mentor. He had helped in the office of the Adjutant while in the service and the field of law intrigued him. It was also something he could handle with his disability. He applied to Wayne State University, and was accepted for the fall term. After graduation, some good advice was given him by his old mentor at the school.

Mark had been an apt student of one of the older professors at this law school, and this man kind of took him under his wing. He suggested that a practice in a small town may be the better way to get started in learning the finer points of the trade, and here he could hone his skills for a larger practice later. Mark found a suitable location in a small town in Michigan, and this is where the story starts. It follows events as W.W.II draws to a close and another one starts in Viet Nam. It draws on the experience of rationing, black marketing, and the impact of the wars on the people. Many parts of the story are based on actual events during both wars and the story gives a bit of real history of the U.S. in both. Even though this story is fiction, many parts of it are real, based on my actual experience as a single engine pilot, and radio operator on a four engine bomber in W.W. II, and through interviews with veterans of the war in Viet Nam who are friends of mine.

When the war broke out in Europe, the United States was not prepared for such an expensive, and extensive, and demanding, sojourn into history. President Roosevelt had the foresight to start some of the production of materials, and even though we were not actively involved in the European struggle, we were still starting to prepare for what may be a future need.

With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, we were absolute participants in the battle for freedom for the people of the world. The war dictated a whole new way of life and living, for the citizens of our country, who were so used to commerce and travel in an unrestricted way. The adjustment was not always smooth and compatible with life as we had known it. When so many thousands of men and women were inducted into, or volunteered for the service, the demand for food for those persons, as well as clothing, fuel, tires, and vehicles, put a demand on our country that had to be met. To supply the products for a multi-million person armed service, the government established the Office of Price Administration with the acronym, O.P.A. This department sought to control the price of many things, such as rent, prevent price gouging, and curtail black marketing of essential items, tires, gasoline, autos, and some foods to name a few. Some of the food items were available on a limited basis and you were required to present a small disc called a token, red for meat, and blue for canned food, to acquire this item. Gasoline was allotted to each person on a need basis, and a book of tickets was issued for a certain number of gallons of gas. Tires and shoes were the non food items primarily under this control, because of the leather and rubber, as well as fuel for the thousands of planes and trucks to fight the war. Tires and fuel were the items most apt to be obtainable on the black market at grossly inflated prices with payment under the counter’. Due to food rationing, butter, meat, sugar, and canned products were difficult to find and sometimes not available at all. Homemakers often had a hard time filling their grocery list with the food stuffs needed to provide nourishing meals for their families. The civilian population was allotted one pair of leather shoes per year, and if you wanted another, it would be either artificial rubber, or a leather like product made of cardboard. These products fell apart in a short time, and would not withstand moisture. Nylons, wool clothing, candy, gum, Jello, and cigarettes, were available on a rare occasion and on a first come, first served" basis.

This story as I have said, is fiction, but much of it is based on actual events and facts, such as the lumber camp stories, building boats at DeFoes Ship Yard, and manufacturing the B-24 airplane in Michigan. The B-24 that we flew overseas was built at the Willow Run factory, and all four engines were built at the Buick plant at Flint. The last part of this story is based on actual episodes related to me by men who lived them in Viet Nam, and were lucky enough to return home. The sons of many W.W.II veterans went on to fight in this ghastly conflict. The records they established, and the bravery shown by them, sets a bench mark of dedication to duty for the rest of the nation to emulate. They fought the most controversial war in the history of our country, and are often not given the honor due them for their efforts.

Placebo, the story.

It was a typical June day in the small town of Clifton, in the Midwest. A town of about 1200 people does not have much to occupy the interest of a young lady in this year of 1944. The local stores are open, and the corner drug store already has some customers at the counter for pop and ice cream.

The morning sun shown through the window of Dayle McKee, who was sleeping late. It’s brightness and warmth gave an indication of the kind of day it was going to be, while a stray cat wandered across the lawn, and a blue jay began to protest with all the belligerence he was able to summon.

Dayle rolled over and slowly opened her eyes. The glow of the sunlight made her realize that a new day in her life had begun. She slid out of bed, and stood at the window for a few moments to let the sun and fresh air clear away the drowsiness in her mind. She then went to the dresser on the other side of the room, where she let the pale aqua pajamas slide down around her feet. She opened a drawer and selected socks and underwear suitable for the hot day she knew it was going to be. A crisp white jumper went on next, and this was followed by a pair of white patent leather sandals. Dayle then went back to the window to look out across the fields behind their house, and thought about the day ahead. What a day for a picnic lunch, she mused to herself.

Being an only child, she had often created her own make-believe friends and playmates when little, and even now, though she had graduated from school in May, she would sometimes question an imaginary friend and then answer herself. I’ll do it, she said in answer to the self imposed thought.

Down in the kitchen, she went to the old Westinghouse refrigerator and got out orange juice and milk. She set a bowl on the table, and sat down to start out her day with Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and juice. Mrs. McKee came in from the porch and after giving Dayle a peck on the cheek, asked, What do you have lined up for today?

Mom, what do we have for a picnic lunch, was the response? I think I’ll go down by the river today for my lunch. It was such a long winter I think I’ll use today to make up for some of it.

Well, said Mrs. McKee, You could boil up a couple of eggs, there is some cold meat in the refrigerator, bananas in the pantry, and all the Kool Aid you need. She always had something around for a quick snack or lunch. This is something you learn after years of keeping house and being a mother. Dayle put together what she thought would be an ample supply of food, and placed it in a little pink picnic basket her father had gotten her for just such an occasion.

There was a special spot on the bank of the little river that ran past the edge of their property. A grassy slope that tapered to the edge of the stream, was surrounded by oak trees and clusters of buttercups and blue flags. The sun would filter down through the canopy of leaves and make scattered dots of light on the grass. As you lie there, the riffles on the water reflected the sunlight like little diamonds floating on the surface.

Dayle spread out the blanket she carried, set the basket along the edge of it, and opened up a big linen napkin that her mother had slipped into the bundle. She then stretched out on the blanket for a time, just to close her eyes and contemplate the peace around her. She heard a slight noise, and down along the bank of the stream, she spotted a huge fox squirrel taking a sip of water, after making a raid on one of his hidden stores of acorns. Dayle thought to herself, When this war is over, I wish it could be as peaceful all over as it is here right now.

She took the cover off the basket, and started to set out the food, when she heard something that seemed to be coming down stream. As the almost inaudible splash came closer, she spotted one of the most interesting men she had ever seen. He was walking slowly down the stream, with a split bamboo fly rod in one hand, and with the other, he played out the line with the touch of one who has been doing this since boyhood. He was so intent on his fishing, that he didn’t see Dayle until he was about twenty feet away. Dayle couldn’t help but give a little giggle at the startled look on his face. Am I that scary, she asked?

The look of surprise on his face gave way to one of amusement. Heck no, he replied, "I was concentrating so much on my line