Page "The Story of G.I. Joe" Paragraph 9

Their " baptism of fire " is at the Battle of Kasserine Pass, a bloody chaotic defeat.

Ernie is present at battalion headquarters when Lieutenant Walker arrives as a runner for his company commander ; Walker has already become an always tired, seemingly emotionless, and grimy soldier.

Ernie and the company go their separate ways, but months later he seeks them out, confessing that, as the first outfit he ever covered, they are in his mind the best outfit in the army.

He finds them on a road in Italy, about to attack a German-held town, just as the soldiers are elated or disappointed at " mail call ": letters for Murphy and Dondaro, a package with a phonograph record of his son's voice for Warnicki, but nothing for now Captain Walker.

Ernie finds that Company C has become very proficient at killing without remorse.

In house-to-house combat, they capture the town.

Fatigue, however, is an always present but never conquerable enemy.

When arrangements are made for Wingless Murphy to marry " Red ", his Army nurse fiancee, in the town they have just captured, Ernie is recruited to give the bride away, but can barely keep awake.