Prelude: Quaker in the Army
by George Maxwell
World War I ended in 1918 but effects of the most deadliest conflict in human history was felt during interwar years. Italian nation was nearly devastated by huge losses taken in battles against Austro-Hungary Empire. Dissatisfied by war and betrayal made by Western Powers Benito Mussolini seized power in country and created new ideology: fascism. Meanwhile in Russia soldiers, workers and peasants overthrew Tsarist oppresive government and created Russian Republic. Few months later communist Bolsheviks seized dictatorial power and first totalitarian country in Europe was created on 30th December 1922. Japanese guided by militarist government seized Manchuria in 1931 and many people believed that situation in the world is a powder keg, just like twenty years earlier. Great Depression devastated American economy and only careful politics performed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt ("New Deal") allowed America to be great again. In contrast to other countries radical movements didn't seized power.
But there was young man who believed that something must be done for freedom in the world. Young Quaker, Richard Milhous Nixon born on 9th January 1913 in Yorba Linda, California joined West Point Military Academy on 1931 and graduated four years later as very good student. He was noticed as charismatic, disciplined young man with talent in leadership. During studies he was member of baseball team, practiced fencing, horse riding, football and gymnastics. On 15th March 1935 he was commisioned as second lieutenant and assigned to 16th Infantry Regiment. On 1st September 1936 he was promoted to first lieutenant rank. Two years later he was promoted to captain rank. In November 1938 he met his future wife Pat Ryan and fell in love with her. Despite this Ryan was reluctant to marry Nixon - they dated for two years before she accepted his proposal and married. Their first child - a son named after Nixon's deceased brother Arthur was born on 30th December 1941, twenty two days after Pearl Harbor attack. Two weeks after wedding Nixon was promoted to captain rank and sent in order to train cadets at United States Army Infantry School. After "purge" of senior officer ranks made by Chief of Staff General George Marshall he was promoted to Major rank on 31th December 1940. Three months later he was invited to join Command and General Staff College and graduated it as best student in the year.
After that he was assigned to 16th Regiment as battalion executive officer (12th April 1941).
Pearl Harbor Day found Nixon with 16th Regiment in Fort Devens but not for long. They were sent to England five months later where they joined large contingent of US troops preparing to Operation TORCH. Nixon's battalion led troops during amphibious landing in Arzew, Algeria. On 0600 11 November 1942 his first battle occured when 16th Regiment encoutered small garrison of Oran city which was quickly captured. After victorious Torch they marched into Tunisia in order to defeat German forces under Erwin Rommel's command. During battle of Kasserine Pass 1st Division was bloody repulsed. During heavy fighting Regiment was under heavy artillery and mortar fire which caused big casualties among Allied forces. During battle regimental commander Colonel George Arthur Taylor was wounded by piece of rock that hit him after artillery shell explosion. He couldn't walk or even stand so Nixon returned for him and rescued him. During this action Nixon was wounded in arm and spent few days in field hospital. During this time both men became friends.
Later both men participated in Operation Husky - Allied invasion on Italian island Sicily. On 14th July 1943 regiment had moved through Pietraperzia, Enna, and Villarosa. There were heavy fighting against foritified German positions equipped with artillery and snipers. Destpite heavy artillery and mortar fire his company performed daring attack on German positions which ended victoriously. Moments before assault Nixon made his famous speech about war in Europe: We are fighting here not for personal glory or benefits. We are representing United States of America - land of freedom and democracy in fight against empire of evil led by madmen who denied everything that we believe. It's our duty to fight or die in these clash. During battle his men took many Germans as Prisoners of War. At Troina they met strong resistance from German 15th Panzer Grenadier Division and Nixon was once again wounded.
On 16th October 1st Division was transported to Dorcester where they were performing training before planned D-Day and Operation Overlord - Allied naval invasion on Normandy. During this training he began writing of Memories of Richad Milhous Nixon - which after war became bestseller in United States. On 2th December he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and awarded with Distinguished Service Cross. It was very hard time for British-American operation because British Bernard Montgomery viewed American General Dwight David Eisenhower as unexperienced novice due to not fighting in World War I. Clashes escalated when British Colonel John Fisher named Eisenhower as authoritarian demagogue who want to seize power in Europe and should be stopped. He argued with Nixon who told that British caused Hitler's victories in 1940s because they were more willing to drink tea than fight during Fall Weiss. Finally Allied government decided that Ike should be commander despite objections from British officers.
On 6th June 1944 Nixon came to Omaha beach with second wave of soldiers in 16th Regiment under Taylor's command. By vicious fighting, somewhere hand-to-hand regiment broke through German lines and by noon established a foothold that allowed follo-on units to land and move through. During very heavy fighting Nixon commanded company of soldiers (800 men) and was wounded in left arm. During battle he was noticed as competent commander with talent in encouraging his soldiers to fight. After successful Operation Overlord and his recovery he was promoted to Colonel rank on 2th November 1944 and transferred to Eisenhower's Staff.
Rapid advance in France forced Germans to launch counteroffensive in Ardennes supported by Operation Greif - plan to capture or kill General Eisenhower performed by Otto Skorzeny's men. Despite his objections (captured soldiers would be executed as spies) plan was executed on 17th December when four of Nazi commandos arrived to General Staff in British uniforms. By noon of this day they entered into Eisenhower's room and one of then attacked him. Angry General broke his nose and called for help. Guards were killed or stunned earlier but Nixon heard alarm and arrived there with ten armed men. He attacked German commandos and blockaded camp. Commandos were speaking in English fluently so Americans thought that they were sent by Field Marshal Montgomery who was rival of Supreme Commander. Squad led by Lieutenant Rudolph Harrington encountered staff car with Bernard Montgomery at one of American checkpoints and ordered him to turn back but British officer demanded free passage which was denied when Sergeant Jack Long entered road with his gun. British Mayor Harry Sullivan ordered him to stand down but Long escalated crisis when he called British as traitors who wanted to capture Eisenhower. When driver tuned on the car he loaded his gun and shot warning shot which was regarded by Sullivan act of aggression. He condemned Sergeant's actions as treachery but American didn't listen and still stand just before car. Then one of British soldiers - Private John McCay (or Helmuth Warren) pointed his gun on American soldiers and opened fire. Wounded Sergeant fell on the ground and rest opened fire. Field Marshall was wounded in arm and arrested, John McCay was revealed as German spy, Mayor Harry Sullivan was heavy wounded and died two days later. Lt. Harrington was critically wounded in chest but survived thanks to surgeons operation. When sun rose and Germans were captured Field Marshall demanded court martial for American officers who attacked his car and wounded him bt was appeased by agreement between sides of "conflict".
Nixon was decommissioned on May 1945 and sent back to United States as Colonel of United States Army. He published his Memories on New Year Day in 1946 and soon his book became bestseller in America. Few months later he joined Republican Party and began life of politician.
After ending his presidential term on 1968 he returned to Army and was promoted to Brigadier General rank. Three years later he was transfered to Cambodian Front as commander of 1st Brigade (1st Infantry Division). On 1977 he was appointed as Supreme Commander of Occupational Forces in Asia and promoted to Major General rank. He was responsible for creation of Cambodian Republic and oversaw transition of power from totalitarian regime to democratic elected government. On 1982 he was awarded with Cambodian Medal of Honor and Medal of Republic - highest Cambodian award. He retired on 1985 and moved back to United States.
by George Maxwell
World War I ended in 1918 but effects of the most deadliest conflict in human history was felt during interwar years. Italian nation was nearly devastated by huge losses taken in battles against Austro-Hungary Empire. Dissatisfied by war and betrayal made by Western Powers Benito Mussolini seized power in country and created new ideology: fascism. Meanwhile in Russia soldiers, workers and peasants overthrew Tsarist oppresive government and created Russian Republic. Few months later communist Bolsheviks seized dictatorial power and first totalitarian country in Europe was created on 30th December 1922. Japanese guided by militarist government seized Manchuria in 1931 and many people believed that situation in the world is a powder keg, just like twenty years earlier. Great Depression devastated American economy and only careful politics performed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt ("New Deal") allowed America to be great again. In contrast to other countries radical movements didn't seized power.
But there was young man who believed that something must be done for freedom in the world. Young Quaker, Richard Milhous Nixon born on 9th January 1913 in Yorba Linda, California joined West Point Military Academy on 1931 and graduated four years later as very good student. He was noticed as charismatic, disciplined young man with talent in leadership. During studies he was member of baseball team, practiced fencing, horse riding, football and gymnastics. On 15th March 1935 he was commisioned as second lieutenant and assigned to 16th Infantry Regiment. On 1st September 1936 he was promoted to first lieutenant rank. Two years later he was promoted to captain rank. In November 1938 he met his future wife Pat Ryan and fell in love with her. Despite this Ryan was reluctant to marry Nixon - they dated for two years before she accepted his proposal and married. Their first child - a son named after Nixon's deceased brother Arthur was born on 30th December 1941, twenty two days after Pearl Harbor attack. Two weeks after wedding Nixon was promoted to captain rank and sent in order to train cadets at United States Army Infantry School. After "purge" of senior officer ranks made by Chief of Staff General George Marshall he was promoted to Major rank on 31th December 1940. Three months later he was invited to join Command and General Staff College and graduated it as best student in the year.
After that he was assigned to 16th Regiment as battalion executive officer (12th April 1941).
Pearl Harbor Day found Nixon with 16th Regiment in Fort Devens but not for long. They were sent to England five months later where they joined large contingent of US troops preparing to Operation TORCH. Nixon's battalion led troops during amphibious landing in Arzew, Algeria. On 0600 11 November 1942 his first battle occured when 16th Regiment encoutered small garrison of Oran city which was quickly captured. After victorious Torch they marched into Tunisia in order to defeat German forces under Erwin Rommel's command. During battle of Kasserine Pass 1st Division was bloody repulsed. During heavy fighting Regiment was under heavy artillery and mortar fire which caused big casualties among Allied forces. During battle regimental commander Colonel George Arthur Taylor was wounded by piece of rock that hit him after artillery shell explosion. He couldn't walk or even stand so Nixon returned for him and rescued him. During this action Nixon was wounded in arm and spent few days in field hospital. During this time both men became friends.
Later both men participated in Operation Husky - Allied invasion on Italian island Sicily. On 14th July 1943 regiment had moved through Pietraperzia, Enna, and Villarosa. There were heavy fighting against foritified German positions equipped with artillery and snipers. Destpite heavy artillery and mortar fire his company performed daring attack on German positions which ended victoriously. Moments before assault Nixon made his famous speech about war in Europe: We are fighting here not for personal glory or benefits. We are representing United States of America - land of freedom and democracy in fight against empire of evil led by madmen who denied everything that we believe. It's our duty to fight or die in these clash. During battle his men took many Germans as Prisoners of War. At Troina they met strong resistance from German 15th Panzer Grenadier Division and Nixon was once again wounded.
On 16th October 1st Division was transported to Dorcester where they were performing training before planned D-Day and Operation Overlord - Allied naval invasion on Normandy. During this training he began writing of Memories of Richad Milhous Nixon - which after war became bestseller in United States. On 2th December he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and awarded with Distinguished Service Cross. It was very hard time for British-American operation because British Bernard Montgomery viewed American General Dwight David Eisenhower as unexperienced novice due to not fighting in World War I. Clashes escalated when British Colonel John Fisher named Eisenhower as authoritarian demagogue who want to seize power in Europe and should be stopped. He argued with Nixon who told that British caused Hitler's victories in 1940s because they were more willing to drink tea than fight during Fall Weiss. Finally Allied government decided that Ike should be commander despite objections from British officers.
On 6th June 1944 Nixon came to Omaha beach with second wave of soldiers in 16th Regiment under Taylor's command. By vicious fighting, somewhere hand-to-hand regiment broke through German lines and by noon established a foothold that allowed follo-on units to land and move through. During very heavy fighting Nixon commanded company of soldiers (800 men) and was wounded in left arm. During battle he was noticed as competent commander with talent in encouraging his soldiers to fight. After successful Operation Overlord and his recovery he was promoted to Colonel rank on 2th November 1944 and transferred to Eisenhower's Staff.
Rapid advance in France forced Germans to launch counteroffensive in Ardennes supported by Operation Greif - plan to capture or kill General Eisenhower performed by Otto Skorzeny's men. Despite his objections (captured soldiers would be executed as spies) plan was executed on 17th December when four of Nazi commandos arrived to General Staff in British uniforms. By noon of this day they entered into Eisenhower's room and one of then attacked him. Angry General broke his nose and called for help. Guards were killed or stunned earlier but Nixon heard alarm and arrived there with ten armed men. He attacked German commandos and blockaded camp. Commandos were speaking in English fluently so Americans thought that they were sent by Field Marshal Montgomery who was rival of Supreme Commander. Squad led by Lieutenant Rudolph Harrington encountered staff car with Bernard Montgomery at one of American checkpoints and ordered him to turn back but British officer demanded free passage which was denied when Sergeant Jack Long entered road with his gun. British Mayor Harry Sullivan ordered him to stand down but Long escalated crisis when he called British as traitors who wanted to capture Eisenhower. When driver tuned on the car he loaded his gun and shot warning shot which was regarded by Sullivan act of aggression. He condemned Sergeant's actions as treachery but American didn't listen and still stand just before car. Then one of British soldiers - Private John McCay (or Helmuth Warren) pointed his gun on American soldiers and opened fire. Wounded Sergeant fell on the ground and rest opened fire. Field Marshall was wounded in arm and arrested, John McCay was revealed as German spy, Mayor Harry Sullivan was heavy wounded and died two days later. Lt. Harrington was critically wounded in chest but survived thanks to surgeons operation. When sun rose and Germans were captured Field Marshall demanded court martial for American officers who attacked his car and wounded him bt was appeased by agreement between sides of "conflict".
Nixon was decommissioned on May 1945 and sent back to United States as Colonel of United States Army. He published his Memories on New Year Day in 1946 and soon his book became bestseller in America. Few months later he joined Republican Party and began life of politician.
After ending his presidential term on 1968 he returned to Army and was promoted to Brigadier General rank. Three years later he was transfered to Cambodian Front as commander of 1st Brigade (1st Infantry Division). On 1977 he was appointed as Supreme Commander of Occupational Forces in Asia and promoted to Major General rank. He was responsible for creation of Cambodian Republic and oversaw transition of power from totalitarian regime to democratic elected government. On 1982 he was awarded with Cambodian Medal of Honor and Medal of Republic - highest Cambodian award. He retired on 1985 and moved back to United States.
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