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From: "Bill Morgan" <morg105829@hotmail.com>
Subject: {Morgan} Repost: Susan Jennings, 7 of 7; M/F Rom
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Author's note: If you are looking for wall-to-wall sex, look elsewhere.
This book is a romance with a military setting. Beyond that, the sex is
comparable to - or less than - what one would find in almost any work of
popular fiction.
Permission is granted to post on any free site, as long as the copyright
statement is included. Please advise the author of any such postings.
This story - or novella - was posted earlier in the year. Subsequently
I've learned more about posting in the interest of easy downloading and
readability. This is Chapter 7 of 7.
Comments are welcome and encouraged. Please address me at
morg105829@aol.com.
Susan Jennings
Copyright by Morgan 1992, 1998; All rights reserved.
Chapter 7
The special Court of Inquiry convened on February 1 at the Federal Court
House in Los Angeles. Vice Admiral Adams was annoyed to find that the
press was present in force. This was beyond his experience because
first, military courts usually convene on military posts to which
civilians do not normally have access, and second, because there is
usually no civilian press interest at all. After Adams called the Court
to order, the letters of appointment were read and the Law Officer
announced that the Court was in session.
The first witness called was Lieutenant Commander Warren Judkins who had
served as trial counsel at Susan's trial. The trial had been held at
the naval base at Subic Bay in the Philippines. Susan's attorney, Jack
Smithson, began the questioning. Each of the parties could be
represented by individual counsel and all were. "Mr. Judkins," Smithson
began, "What were the charges and specifications under which Miss
Jennings was brought to trial?"
"She was charged with consorting with the enemy," Judkins replied
proudly. "Specifically, she used sex to obtain special favors while
held in the prison camp."
"Who preferred the charges?" Smithson asked.
"They were preferred by the other parties sitting over there," Judkins
said.
"Commander, who were the supporting witnesses?"
Judkins looked surprised at the question. "There weren't any. It
wasn't necessary."
"I see," Jack said thoughtfully, "Tell me, what was the physical
condition of the parties in this court? How did their appearance then
compare to their appearance today?"
"Well, Miss Jennings looks like she's gained a little weight," Judkins
replied, "And the other three look like they have lost some."
"So Miss Jennings was thinner at her court-martial four years ago," Jack
continued. "How much thinner?"
"Oh, a lot," Judkins replied with some enthusiasm. "Actually, you see,
she caused us a problem. The accused has to appear in court in uniform,
and because she was so thin, they had to race around and have one
specially made for her. There was no standard size small enough to fit
her. That's around, sir," he explained. "Not up and down."
"I see," Jack continued. "How much did Miss Jennings weigh at the time?
You said she was very thin."
"I think I remember hearing she weighed seventy-five or eighty pounds.
Something around there."
"Do you know how tall Miss Jennings is?" Smithson asked. Turning to
Susan he asked her to stand. She looked utterly magnificent as she
stood facing the court. With her deep golden Hawaiian tan, coupled with
her perfect physical condition, she was an unbelievably beautiful girl.
"I guess she's five seven or eight - around there," Judkins replied.
Jack indicated for Susan to be seated again.
Smithson had initially appeared to be almost bored with the proceedings
and Judkins replies to his questions. Suddenly his demeanor changed
totally. Now there was fire in his eyes as he said, "Judkins, where is
your brain? You have just testified that the charge against Miss
Jennings was 'consorting with the enemy' to obtain special favors! Then
you tell the Court that a woman five feet eight inches tall - her
correct height, by the way - weighed seventy-five to eighty pounds.
Judkins, that is about twenty-five pounds or so below the *minimum*
weight for that height. You then say that the complaining witnesses
were all *heavier* than they are now." Barely able to control the
disdain in his voice, Smithson concluded, "I ask you, man, who looked
like they had been receiving special favors? Miss Jennings or the other
parties?"
"The others?" Judkins replied with the question mark obvious in his
voice.
Jack was now disdainful. "I am not testifying, Mr. Judkins. You are.
What do *you* think?"
"The others did, sir," Judkins stated firmly.
"Thank you, Mr. Judkins," Smithson said. Then, changing the subject he
asked, "Is it not a part of the responsibility of the trial counsel to
ensure that the accused is capable of standing trial? Of participating
in her own defense?"
"Yes, sir, it is, although we don't pay much attention to it. It has
sort of become a part of the defense counsel's job - at least it was out
at Subic," he replied.
"And who was the defense counsel?" Jack asked.
"I believe it was William Devers, sir."
"What was Mr. Devers rank at the time?"
"He was an ensign, sir. I think he had been at Subic for about a week
when he received the appointment."
"Did Mr. Devers raise a question about Miss Jennings' capacity to stand
trial?" Jack pursued.
"Yes, sir, he did," Judkins answered. It was obvious that he was now
becoming very nervous as the significance of his own testimony sank in.
"What did Mr. Devers say?" Jack asked.
"He said that Miss Jennings had three untreated bullet wounds and was
suffering from extreme malnutrition. He said he was unable to interview
her. She just kept saying the same few words over and over," he
replied.
"What were the words?" Jack asked.
"She just kept saying, 'He's dead,'" he replied.
"As trial counsel representing the government, what did you do?"
Smithson asked.
"I took it to the staff judge advocate and asked for an opinion," he
answered.
"And what was his expressed opinion?"
"He said it was the usual stall. He pointed out that she was merely a
nurse lieutenant and there was testimony from both a colonel and a
major. I was ordered to proceed with the trial. Devers was ordered to
shut up or face court-martial himself for insubordinate conduct." At
the end of his statement Judkins was speaking slowly and softly as the
real meaning of his own words finally sank in.
"Did you get a medical opinion, Mr. Judkins?" Jack pursued.
"No, sir, I did not. I was ordered not to by Commander Henderson, the
staff judge advocate. He said we had to wrap up the trial quickly
because he had a pigeon in Colonel Black and he was going to take him to
the cleaners. And he did, too," Judkins concluded.
"You said, 'take him to the cleaners.' What, exactly, do you mean?"
"He - Commander Henderson - was going to take him on the golf course.
And he did, too! He took him for almost five bucks!"
"In other words, Mr. Judkins, Miss Jennings was railroaded to allow
Commander Henderson to win less than five dollars from Colonel Black.
Her *life* wasn't worth five dollars? Is that what you are saying, Mr.
Judkins?" Jack Smithson, a very experienced trial lawyer and
court-martial specialist, was almost screaming. He had never
encountered such inhumanity in his professional career. Wheeling around
to address the court, Smithson requested that Judkins be named as a
party at interest. Adams curtly nodded while Judkins turned white.
Smithson called Commander John Henderson as his next witness. After
being sworn, Smithson asked him about the Jennings trial. The officer,
acting bored by the whole thing, claimed it was strictly routine. It
was similar to dozens of other cases. Jack asked him to name a single
similar case but he could not. Then he asked if Henderson had asked for
and received any medical input. The commander could scarcely control a
yawn when he replied that doctors were always bleating about something.
Jack then asked about the bet and Henderson said he had taken the
colonel for almost five dollars. "You mean to tell me that a girl's
life is worth less than five dollars? Commander, what kind of man are
you?" It was all Smithson could do to control the rage that was
seething inside.
Turning to Adams he said, "Admiral, I am formally requesting that this
court name Commander John Henderson as a party in this inquiry."
Henderson suddenly went white as Admiral Adams, with scarcely a glance
at his fellow court members, immediately named Henderson as a party at
interest. Henderson was not reassured when he looked into the eyes of
the members of the court. All of their eyes were as cold as death. It
was obvious that the Admiral and his fellow members were utterly
appalled at what they had heard that morning.
Next, Jack called Dr. Oliver Wainwright, the physician at Subic Bay who
had examined Susan. He testified that he had been forbidden "by higher
authority" to operate to remove the bullets from Susan's body. He was
ordered to prepare her to stand trial immediately. Citing professional
ethics and The Uniform Code of Military Justice, Wainwright had refused.
Jack asked the doctor about Susan's physical condition at the time. He
replied that she weighed seventy-two pounds and was suffering from
extreme malnutrition. In addition, she had severe lacerations front and
back that he was also forbidden to treat. Finally, there were the new
bullet wounds. All he was allowed to do was the bandage them while the
bullets remained in her body. His commanding officer, Captain Warren
Holmes, had taken over the case. Wainwright had resigned his commission
as a result of the Jennings incident.
Captain Holmes was then called as a witness. When Jack asked him if he
had examined Miss Jennings, he replied that he had not. Jack then asked
how he could possibly refuse permission for Dr. Wainwright to operate.
Holmes said that Black was a friend of a friend and told him that
Jennings was a malingerer. That was the basis for his action. "In
other words, Captain, you took the work of a friend of a friend - who is
not even a physician, by the way - in preference to the word of a doctor
on your own staff who had examined and was treating Miss Jennings."
"But Wainwright was only a reserve officer," Holmes protested. "What
could he possibly know?"
Holmes, too, was immediately named a party to the court. Hearing the
Admiral, Holmes suddenly went as white as a sheet and glared at General
Black.
When Admiral Adams recessed the court for lunch, Susan met Rick at the
back of the courtroom. Pulling his head down to hers, she melted her
lips against his and then began to work her tongue into his mouth.
Again there was a jolt of electricity and the beautiful bells. "Hello,
future husband," she whispered, as she supported herself with her arms
around his neck. As usual, her knees had been turned to water by their
kiss and Susan was not sure her legs would even support her weight.
"Boy, do you ever lose on that deal, lady," Rick replied with a grin.
"You get a beat-up, shot-up, ex-Marine for a husband, while I get the
world's most beautiful woman as my wife." Pulling her body close to
his, he could hear the wonderfully warm and happy sounds Susan always
made deep in her body whenever her body was being crushed to his. While
she mashed her tits against his broad chest, she moved her pelvis
against his private parts that were vainly trying to become erect in
spite of being trapped in his shorts. Lifting her chin up he kissed her
softly again and again their love for each other just flowed between
them. "How do you feel, Darling?" he asked. "I guess I have to be
appalled. About the only guy who is looking good is Wainwright, but I
sure wish he had been able to blow the whistle on the rest of these
creeps. I suppose that's asking too much, though."
They met Jack Smithson and went to a nearby restaurant. Susan shook her
head sadly and said, "The thing that makes me so mad is to think that I
spent four years in misery for less than five dollars. Jack, you're
experienced in this sort of thing. What happens now? And what's likely
to happen to these people?"
"There are going to be a stack of courts-martial coming out of this one,
Susan," he replied. "Their answers are utterly appalling. I think you
probably could see that at least a couple of members of the court were
physically sickened by what they had been hearing. I think I'll jump
back to Vietnam this afternoon. My plan is to start with Ginny Cameron,
follow with a number of ex-prisoners, and then close with your
testimony. I guess you will be testifying in a few days." With a
little smile he asked, "How does that sound to you?"
"It sounds okay to me, Jack," she replied. "But, Rick, I have shown
terribly poor judgment where it comes to taking care of myself over the
last few years, so what do *you* think?"
"Honey, I think the whole thing is coming apart on them," Rick answered.
"I agree with Jack. Your case couldn't have started out any better.
Already it has been established that you were seriously wounded, cut up,
and down to only seventy-two pounds, for chrissakes. Their big problem
was getting you into a uniform. It has been established that you were
seriously wounded and no one did anything. Finally, by Judkins own
admission, you could not assist in your own defense. Taken together,
the testimony so far is utterly disastrous for the others, particularly
Black's Navy friends at Subic. A number of careers are going to crater
on this one, and some people are headed for prison. But I think a great
many other people are going to have a hard time living with themselves
when they realize the significance of what they have done, or allowed to
be done."
Back at the courtroom, when the court was called back into session, Jack
asked for Virginia Cameron to be called to testify. After she was sworn
and took her seat, Jack began his questioning. "Miss Cameron, when,
where, and under what conditions did you first meet Susan Jennings?"
Ginny told how she had been a first lieutenant in the army and the
circumstances of her capture. She explained in detail how the camp
operated - the grossly inadequate rations, the trading of clothing and
then sexual favors for enough food to survive on. She told how
initially she had been unwilling to make such a trade. By the time she
realized she was headed for death from starvation, she no longer had a
body to trade with. She first met Susan after she had been a prisoner
of war for over a year.
"Miss Cameron," Jack asked, "What was your physical condition on the day
you met Miss Jennings?"
"I was dying of starvation," Ginny said flatly. "I would have been dead
in a matter of hours, had it not been for Susan."
General Black's lawyer was on his feet at that point. "I object!" he
exclaimed. "That is an uninformed conclusion of the witness. She has
no basis for making such a statement."
Jack told the court that the medical basis would be established by
subsequent medical testimony. He pointed out that at the time of her
rescue Virginia Cameron weighed only seventy-one pounds. He was allowed
to continue the questioning subject to it being stricken if the basis
for it were not established later. He continued, "What did Miss
Jennings do that first time you met?"
"She gave me - or, more accurately, fed me - a nutrition bar from a Red
Cross food parcel. I told her she shouldn't. I had made what was by
then an obviously poor choice and I would have to die with it." Holding
her head up straight, there were tears flowing from her eyes as she
concluded, "Susan Jennings forced me to go on living!"
"Miss Cameron, did you know Colonel Black, Major Simon, or Captain
Harrison at that time?" Smithson asked.
"Yes, I did. More accurately, I knew of them. They were never in the
camp itself. They lived outside the wire. I hated them all, and I
still do," she said flatly.
"Why is that?" Jack asked.
"Colonel Black - now General Black - was the senior POW officer. In
that capacity he had the responsibility to try to obtain humane
treatment for the prisoners. As far as any of us could see, he did
nothing! The only person who did anything - and she did more than
everyone else combined - was Susan Jennings."
"Would you please tell the court about the events of the last day you
spent in the prison camp? The last time you saw Miss Jennings in
Vietnam?" Jack asked.
First, Ginny told about the guard preparing to lash her with his
bullwhip and how Susan had shielded her body with her own and had been
cut to pieces. Finally, she told how she had been given the shirt off
Susan's back when she was about to be crucified.
At this point Admiral Adams interrupted. "Miss Cameron, really! This
is a Court of Inquiry, not a court-martial. As a result, a broader
latitude for questioning is permitted, but there are some limits. This
is clearly beyond those bounds!" Shaking his head he concluded,
"Crucifixion, indeed!"
"You heard me correctly, Admiral!" Ginny exclaimed with green flame
flashing from her eyes. "Crucifixion! As in being hung on a cross
until dead. I saw her put on it, and I watched her hanging from it
while slowly dying, all day long. Neither I, nor any of the other
prisoners, could do a thing to help the girl who had saved so many of
our lives. Another witness will testify that he cut her down from the
cross, thinking he was recovering a corpse. You heard me correctly,
Admiral: crucifixion!"
"But Miss Cameron," the admiral protested, "This is ridiculous! There
are rules. There is the Geneva Convention."
"That is correct, Admiral," Ginny responded. Then with the green fire
again in her eyes, she glared at him and asked, "Does the Convention
permit starving prisoners? Does it permit slicing them to ribbons with
a bullwhip? Does it require them to sell their bodies to get Red Cross
- yes, Admiral, Red Cross - medical supplies for dying prisoners? Does
it Admiral?" By this time Ginny had nearly lost control and was
screaming.
Adams called for order as attorneys for the three parties from the
prison camp - Black, Simon, and Harrison - all objected. Jack Smithson
waited for the uproar in the court to die down. When it finally did he
asked for and received permission to excuse Miss Cameron in order to
call other witnesses to testify on the same points.
One after the other, the witnesses Rick had located were called to the
stand. The testimony ran through the afternoon and continued for the
next three days. It was obvious that the court members were being
sickened by it. Perhaps the most memorable testimony was given by
Donald Clinton, formerly a sergeant in the Marines. After being sworn
and taking his seat, Jack Smithson asked, "Mr. Clinton, did you know
Miss Jennings in Vietnam? If so, when, where, and under what
circumstances did you meet her?"
Clinton was a big man, standing six feet three and weighing 220 pounds.
He had brown hair and warm brown eyes. "I met Miss Jennings when I was
a prisoner in the same POW camp where she was kept. She saved my life,"
he said simply.
"Would you please tell the court how she did it," Jack asked.
"Yes, sir, gladly!" Clinton replied. "You see, sir, I had been wounded
before being captured. There was an infection that was killing me. The
only way to handle it was with antibiotics, but, of course, there were
none available for the prisoners." Tears came to the corners of his
eyes as he continued, "Miss Jennings learned about me. She offered her
body for antibiotics. But to punish me, they made me watch."
Turning to the Admiral he said, "Sir, can you imagine? I am laying on
the bare ground beside Miss Jennings. The first guy comes up and she
extends her hand. After he gives her the medicine, she spreads her legs
wide and welcomes him inside. This repeats for three more. Each time
she received the antibiotics first. Each time while they are taking her
she is holding my hand and squeezing it. When they are finished, with
their cum still dripping from her vagina, she takes the antibiotic and
gives me the first injection." At that point Clinton lost control.
"Can you believe it? While she is injecting the lifesaving medicine
she's apologizing to me for being so morally filthy. She wouldn't have
even touched me except there was no one else who knew how to administer
the medication. Can you believe it? She saves my life, and then
apologizes!"
Leaving the witness stand, he went to where Susan was sitting, knelt
down on the floor, took her hands and kissed them. While he was on his
knees, a lovely woman with twin girls about seven years old joined them.
Clinton had his head on Susan's lap, unable to control his tears.
One of the little girls - they were identical twins with gorgeous blonde
hair and blue eyes - said, "Good afternoon, Miss Jennings. My name is
Cathy Clinton, and this is my twin sister, Christine. We want to thank
you for saving our daddy's life. If it hadn't been for you, he would
not have come back alive. And since our mommy loves Daddy so much, if
he had died, we are sure she would have died very soon, too. So you
see, Miss Jennings, you saved four lives, not just one."
Looking into Susan's beautiful eyes she said, "Could I give you a kiss?
Please?"
In the meantime the woman had helped Clinton to his feet. Susan reached
out her arms and took both of the little girls in her arms together and
then melted her lips against theirs. When they finally parted each girl
was sitting on one of Susan's legs while facing the other. Chris
Clinton said, "Sister, Miss Jennings is a saint. No human could
possibly kiss like she does. Her kiss is just pure love, grace, and
goodness. She is a saint!"
"No, sister, she is not," Cathy replied. "She is one of God's angel's
come down to earth. Not even a saint could be as pure, and sweet, and
wonderful as she is. She is an angel! Did you look into her eyes? All
you can see is purity and love." Her sister thought for a moment and
finally agreed. Susan was an angel. Susan just hugged them both
tightly, kissed them again, and then very gently set them back on their
feet. The two little girls were utterly glowing with joy.
At that point their mother, Claire Clinton, gave Susan a check. Susan
almost choked when she saw that the check was for more than one million
dollars. "What is this!?" she exclaimed.
"It's your dividend check, Miss Jennings," Claire replied. "You see,
Don has been very successful since he was discharged from the Marines.
Since none of us would even be alive if it had not been for you - my
daughter was correct, I'm afraid - Don and I have given you one-third of
the shares in our corporation. This is just your dividend check for the
last two-and-a-half years." Although Susan tried to resist, the
Clintons would not hear of it. She still had their check in her hand
when they left. Jack Smithson said nothing. He just looked at the
members of the court who were all in a state of near shock.
More witnesses were called to testify. Several of them had to be
forcibly restrained from attacking the former senior camp officers.
Finally Jack addressed the court and said, "Gentlemen, I have here a
list of seventy- three additional witnesses who are prepared to testify
similarly. Admiral, you did not believe Susan Jennings could have been
crucified. There are thirty-five more witnesses who will say that she
was and testify that they saw her dying on that cross all day long. Of
course, the testimony is highly repetitive." With a deprecating little
smile he asked, "It may be presumptuous of me, but may I ask the Court
if it needs to hear any additional witnesses testify to the pattern of
prisoner abuse?"
Adams looked at his colleagues on the court. All were senior officers
with extensive combat experience. All looked ill. Every officer shook
his head, no. "Mr. Smithson," the admiral replied, "You have made your
point. Do you wish to recall Miss Cameron at this time?"
"No, sir," Smithson responded. "Before I do that I would like to
introduce testimony on her physical condition at the time she was
liberated and testimony bearing on her starvation. I would like to call
the senior medical officer who examined the freed prisoners when they
were returned to Saigon, Lt. Col. Douglas Evans."
Colonel Evans was called and sworn. Jack asked him about the general
condition of the repatriated prisoners. His reply was that, with three
exceptions, all were emaciated. He took out a table from his pocket and
said that, based on the time of imprisonment compared to estimated
weight at the time of capture, the prisoners were losing five to ten
pounds per month of captivity.
"Doctor, you said there were three exceptions. Who were they, and in
what way was their condition exceptional?" Jack asked.
"The exceptions were the three people sitting over there: General Black,
Colonel Simon, and Major Harrison. They were all, to a significant
degree, overweight. There was one other factor. Those three were quite
pale. The fact stood out because all of the other ex-prisoners were
sunburned. If their skin tanned, they were burned nearly black. If it
did not they were severely sun blistered. Several required lengthy
hospitalization for burn treatment."
"Doctor," Smithson asked, "Did you examine Lt. Virginia Cameron?"
"Yes, sir, I did," he replied.
"What did you find?"
Consulting his notes Evans said, "Miss Cameron weighed seventy-one
pounds when she returned to Saigon. Her normal weight is in the 115 to
120 pound range, and it could be more."
"Doctor, did you inquire about her condition? And how was her morale?"
"Her morale was incredibly good," he replied. "She had a single
all-consuming interest: the whereabouts of Lieutenant Susan Jennings.
She told me how Susan had 'fattened her up' - her words, sir. Her
physical condition, though, was appalling. She said that she had gained
perhaps five pounds in the few months prior to her rescue and there were
medical signs that supported her statement. If it was so, however, I
find it hard to believe that she remained alive."
After questioning Evans about his education and professional
qualifications to establish him as an expert witness, he asked, "Doctor,
in your professional opinion what would Miss Cameron's condition have
been had she weighed five pounds less - or sixty-six pounds?"
"She would have been dead, sir. Or so close to it, it wouldn't make any
difference. The short answer is that she would have been dying. Death
would have been a matter of minutes - at most a few hours - away," he
replied.
"Thank you, Doctor," Jack said. "There is just one more question. I
show you a uniform shirt and ask if you recognize it?"
"Yes, sir, I do," Evans replied. "It is the shirt Miss Cameron was
wearing when she was returned to Saigon. I remember the identification,
JENNINGS, marked inside the collar."
"Doctor have you seen this shirt since that day in Saigon?"
"Yes, sir, I did. "I saw it again a few weeks ago when you brought it
to me. You asked me to have tests run on some stains that I had not
noticed before."
"Doctor Evans, did you have the tests run, and, if so, what did you
learn?"
"The tests were run, sir. These stains - he showed the inside of the
shirt to the members of the court - are human blood. It has been tested
by the FBI laboratory in Washington. There is a positive match and a
positive identification. The blood is Susan Jennings'. The lab dated
the stains to a period of time centered on the date of the prisoners'
release."
"Thank you, Doctor. Are there any other questions?" Jack asked.
A member of the court asked, "Doctor, is there any doubt about this
identification? What is the chance for error?"
"Essentially none, sir," the doctor testified. "The FBI lab is certain
the blood is Miss Jennings'."
Next, Jack recalled Ginny to the stand. She testified how, while Susan
was being whipped while shielding her body, she was aware of blood
dripping onto her body from Susan's lacerated back. "I didn't realize
until a short time ago that the shirt had mopped up the blood that
dripped from Susan onto me."
"It has come out in previous testimony that you weighed seventy-one
pounds at the time of your rescue. Could you describe for the court you
appearance at that time?"
"I can do a lot better than that," Ginny replied with a little smile.
"Photographs were taken of me at the time and I have copies with me."
She produced a set which were labeled for identification and then
accepted into evidence. "If the court wishes," she continued, "I am
willing to strip here now so the members can see the difference in my
appearance, then to now."
The pictures were passed from hand to hand among the court members.
Jack could see the looks of revulsion as the officers saw the pictures
of Ginny as just skin and bones. Jack asked if there were any other
questions.
After checking with the other members, Adams shook his head. Then he
said, "Thank you, Miss Cameron. On behalf of the court, I want to thank
you for coming in to testify. I also want to express our pleasure that
you have recovered so well from your experience. There is just one more
thing: When did you next see Miss Jennings?"
"I saw her early last year, sir. Mr. Jackson brought her to my home."
"What was her condition at that time?" the admiral asked.
"There will be medical testimony on that point later. However, she
weighed eighty-five pounds. She was still heavily scarred from the
whipping years earlier. And she was the person who save my life and
almost lost hers in the process. She was abandoned on the streets!"
Ginny wailed.
Witness followed witness. Mike Chapman testified and introduced the
photographs of Susan taken at Ginny's by the press photographer. The
pictures clearly showed both the lacerations and the bullet wounds. He
stressed that it was over four years after the event. John Roberts told
of the operation to remove the bullets form Susan's body and how the
bullet removal had been greatly complicated by the length of time they
had been allowed to remain there. Finally, he stressed in his testimony
the continual excruciating pain Susan had been living with because of
the bullets' presence.
Finally Jack called Rick Jackson. After being sworn, he testified that,
as a Marine major, he had been in command of the Ranger unit assigned to
free the prisoners in the POW camp that reconnaissance had finally
located. He described how he cut Susan free from the cross and carried
her to the cave. He told how he had been hit in the leg during the
escape, and then how, in spite of her appalling physical condition she
had operated and removed the slug. Then he told how Susan had mined the
bridge and the approaches to their cave, located their other defenses,
and then how she had fought off repeated attacks. Finally he was
excused.
The next witness was Marine Senior Master Gunnery Sergeant Horace Brown.
Brown was now serving in the commandant's office as the senior
noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the Marine Corps. He had been the
senior NCO on the raid to free the prisoners and later on the pickup
mission. He was the man who had carried Susan to the helicopter.
"Sergeant," Jack Smithson said, "Would you please tell the court in your
own words what you saw on the mission to pick up Major Jackson and Miss
Jennings?"
"Yes, sir," Brown began. "We came in low in the choppers, in from
behind the hill in which the cave was located. As we cleared the ridge,
a person came charging out of the cave and attacked the enemy massing
further down the hill for a final assault on the cave. But she hit them
first. She - it was Miss Jennings, of course, sir - hit them with an
Armalite and grenades. By the time we got on the ground it was all
over. The enemy were all dead."
"Did you count the enemy casualties?" Smithson asked.
"Yes, sir, we did," he replied. "There were seventy-seven enemy dead at
the location of her firefight. Then there were lots of other casualties
all over the place. She had emplaced a light machine gun at the mouth
of the cave that did a lot of damage. Then there was the characteristic
pattern of exploding Claymores that took out a bunch more.
"I reached Miss Jennings as she started to collapse. The right side of
the combat jacket she was wearing was just soaked with her blood. She
was losing consciousness, but I could hear her say, 'Get Rick's body.
It's in the cave.' A couple of my men went to retrieve the body, but
then we found he was still alive. Anyway, we bailed out as fast as we
could to get them both back to medical care. After all, sir, our
primary mission was to get them out, not waste time counting bodies. So
we did."
"What happened to Miss Jennings when you got back to Saigon?" Jack
asked.
"She was rushed off in an ambulance. We thought she was being rushed to
the hospital. It's certainly where they should have taken her." Brown
shook his head like a bear and continued, "I expected to be a part of a
big award ceremony for her, sir. We never saw or heard of anything like
what she did that day."
Looking over at Susan he smiled and said, "Miss Jennings, I guess I'm
not supposed to say this, but over the last few weeks I have heard from
almost all of the men who were with me that day on the pickup mission.
They all asked me to give you our very best wishes, and to express their
pleasure that you look so good now." In spite of his dark complexion,
everyone in the court could see Horace Brown blushing as he added, "And,
Miss, begging your pardon, convey our love."
Brown was a very big man - nearly six fee four inches tall and weighing
245 pounds. He joked about his name, claiming that it should be Black
because he was as black as the ace of spades.
"Aside from her wounds, what sort of condition was Miss Jennings in?"
Smithson asked.
"She was emaciated, sir. I swear, she didn't weigh much more than one
of our combat packs. I didn't realize how light she was and almost
threw her into the air."
Taking a chance with the court, Smithson asked, "Sergeant Brown, are you
a good judge of weight?"
"I think so, sir," was the reply.
"Then, Sergeant, would you be willing to pick up Miss Jennings now and
estimate her weight?" Brown looked at the admiral who looked back and
forth at his colleagues. Then he shrugged and indicated it was all
right. Brown got up from the witness chair and went to where Susan was
sitting. She rose and smiled at him. Then he picked her up
effortlessly in his arms. It was so effortless, he even bounced her a
little.
Then Susan wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "I never had
the chance before, Sergeant. Thank you for saving my life." Then she
melted her lips against his. The power of her kiss almost caused the
huge man to fall over.
Brown put Susan back on the floor, handling her as if she were made of
the finest china. Then he just ran his fingers over his lips and stared
at her. He put out his hand, Susan took it firmly and looked up at him.
"Miss Jennings," he said, "Thank you for coming back to us. And I'm so
happy you're looking so well. You are the most beautiful woman in the
whole world!" Brown returned to the witness chair.
"How much do you think Miss Jennings weighs now?" Jack asked.
"Well, sir, she is in utterly perfect condition now! I would estimate
about forty pounds heavier than she did then - between 110 and 115. I
would estimate 112."
Susan grinned at him and said, "It was 112 this morning - but that was
before lunch." Brown was excused and Jack proceeded with his
presentation.
Stacks of signed forms from the Red Cross were introduced in evidence.
They were forms certifying receipt and distribution to the prisoners of
various parcels that had been flowing to the prison camp in an
uninterrupted stream. All were certified by Black with either Simon or
Harrison concurring.
Finally he called Susan to the stand. She told of meeting Ginny and
other events in the camp. Then Jack brought the questioning around to
the court-martial charges. "Miss Jennings, you were found guilty by a
General Court-martial of 'consorting with the enemy.' Did you ever have
sexual relations with the guards?"
"Yes, sir, I did," Susan held her head up straight and said quietly. "I
did it frequently."
"For what purpose?"
"Usually to obtain medical supplies. Sometimes it was for food," she
replied calmly.
"Mr. Clinton was made to watch while you had sex with the guards to
obtain his medicine. Was that a common occurrence?"
"For the last half of my stay it was," Susan said calmly. "One of the
guards said it was Judith Harrison's idea. She wanted all the prisoners
to be able to see my filthy cunt." If anything, she held her head up
even higher as she continued, "I believe it backfired, though. Mostly,
I could see the men crying as they realized what I was doing. And in
spite of my filth, mostly they wanted to kiss me to thank me," she said.
"How much did you weigh when you were taken prisoner?" Smithson asked.
"I'm not sure, sir. I guess between 115 and 120. That was my normal
weight range at the time."
"Therefore, Miss Jennings, you were convicted of 'consorting with the
enemy' to obtain preferential treatment. Yet when you were rescued you
weighed seventy-two pounds, a loss of at least forty. Moreover, your
body was cut to ribbons and you carried three bullets in your body. In
your opinion, Miss Jennings, is this preferential treatment?" Susan
just shook her head.
"What do you remember of your court-martial?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing at all, sir," she replied. "I was not aware of anything. I
guess it was a year or so afterward that I learned it had happened." At
that point Admiral Adams abruptly adjourned the court. While the rest
of the people left, he asked his fellow court members to stay for a few
minutes.
* * *
The next morning when Admiral Adams called the court to order, Jack
prepared to resume his examination of Susan. Instead, the admiral held
his hand up in a signal to stop. "Mr. Smithson," he said, "We would
like to interrupt these proceedings." Turning to the others he said,
"General Black, do you, Colonel Simon, or Major Harrison, have anything
you would like to say to this court? If you do, this is your
opportunity. However, it is my duty to warn you now that anything you
say may later be used against you in court-martial proceedings. Do you
understand?"
Black looked thoroughly defeated. He looked at his partners, then told
the court that he understood his rights and declined to make a
statement.
After asking the other parties if there was anything they wished to add
to their testimony and receiving negative replies, Adams looked at his
colleagues and received an affirmative nod from each of them. Then
looking at Jack he said, "Mr. Smithson, thank you for your excellent
presentation and for all the help you have provided to this court. We
have heard enough.
"It is the finding of this Court of Inquiry that Brigadier General Homer
Black, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Simon, and Major Judith Harrison be
held for trial by General Court- martial. There will be an array of
charges beginning with consorting with the enemy and including the
attempted murder of Lieutenant Susan Jennings, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps and
First Lieutenant Virginia Cameron, U.S. Army, retired. General
Court-martial charges will also be brought against Lieutenant Commander
Warren Judkins for dereliction of duty, obstruction of justice, and
attempted murder. Similar charges will be filed against Commander John
Henderson, along with a few more. Similarly, charges will be brought
against the then-Medical Director of the Naval Hospital at Subic Bay,
Captain Warren Holmes.
"This brings us to Lieutenant Susan Jennings. It is the unanimous
finding of this court that Miss Jennings' conduct was exemplary. But
words fail the court. Exemplary means, according to a dictionary we
consulted last night, 'worthy of imitation, commendable.' That
definition does not do it! It does not fit the circumstances of Miss
Jennings' actions. One cannot expect anyone to sacrifice her life for
others, and yet that is exactly what Miss Jennings did. Dozens of
witnesses listed hundreds of vivid examples of her doing just that. We
can only stand in awe.
"Then there is the episode at the cave and her attack on the enemy
forces. Standing alone, it is worthy of the highest honors this nation
can bestow. Taken with the other events, and coupled with her ruined
physical condition, words fail us. They are totally inadequate to the
task.
"Finally, there is the disgraceful series of events including the
court-martial and its aftermath. We can only accept it for what it is:
a nation's utter disgrace! We have already named several people who
will await trial by courts martial. There will be more: The people who
prevented you from being treated, and those who prevented you from
getting any kind of job. The people who so obviously wanted you dead,
buried, and forgotten. I promise you, we will bring them to justice."
Sitting up as straight as he could, Adams continued, "The findings and
sentence of the Subic Bay court-martial are hereby set aside. The court
will urge that a Presidential pardon be immediately given to Miss
Jennings. You are hereby immediately reinstated in your former rank
with all back pay and allowances to the time of that court-martial. We
can only offer our deepest personal and professional apologies to you
for the incredible pain you have been made to suffer for so long.
"Finally, Susan, we humbly beg you to forgive us for what has been done
to you. We cannot ask. We have no right even to mention it. And most
certainly, you should never forgive us." Adams looked into her
brilliant blue eyes and smiled. "We believe you will, though. You
should not, but you will. Why? Because of the person you are: A person
who cheerfully sacrifices her life for others.
"Miss Cameron - who, as Marcia Matthews has achieved brilliant and
well-deserved success in the films - said it best: 'Greater love hath no
man than he who lays down his life for a friend.' She is right, of
course. Susan Jennings, on behalf of myself, the fellow members of this
court, and the people of the United States of America, I can only say
humbly, thank you." Tears were streaming from his eyes and it was all
he could do to say, "This court is adjourned."
Tears were streaming down Susan's cheeks as she was mobbed at her table
by well- wishers. Finally she was able to get free. Going up to the
court she thanked each member individually. In each case the officer
blushed. Finishing with Admiral Adams, she said, "Thank you, Admiral.
I cannot thank you enough."
Adams looked at her and just shook his head. "Susan, you are doing
exactly what I expected you to do. However, my dear, there is one more
thing. You can sue the government for millions of dollars, and you
should. What happened to you was truly a national disgrace. You
suffered to a degree and in ways that are utterly barbaric." He smiled
warmly and continued, "Now you are the most beautiful woman any of us
have ever seen. You are utterly exquisite. I want to wish you every
possible happiness - happiness few people have ever so richly deserved."
When she kissed him full on the lips, Adams almost fell over from the
incredible power of Susan's love. Epilogue
Susan Jennings was standing on the reviewing stand at the U.S. Naval
Base at San Diego. The stand was draped in bunting and faced with the
seal of the President of the United States. Wearing her new white dress
uniform as a Commander in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, she looked gorgeous
with her glowing tan, golden hair, and brilliant blue eyes. The
President had just awarded her the Purple Heart. Then he smiled at her
and addressed the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are her today for a
unique event. The rarest award for valor in our armed forces is the
Medal of Honor. It is the highest award for bravery in combat our
nation can bestow. In modern times a tiny handful of people have
received it twice. Never in our entire history had anyone received two
of these medals at once.
"History is being made here today. It gives me great pleasure to award
to Commander Susan Jennings, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, retired, two Medals
of Honor. The first is for her work in a prisoner-of-war camp in which
she saved the lives of hundreds of her fellow prisoners with a total
disregard for her own. Facing me this morning are over 300 people who
were her fellow prisoners in Vietnam. They have come here on their own
to pay tribute to the woman to whom they owe their very lives. There is
nothing more I can say.
The second medal is for bravery and gallantry in action against the
enemy in which, again with a total disregard for her own life, she
singlehandedly attacked and wiped out an enemy force of seventy-seven
men. Commander Jennings, please step forward!"
He hung the two medals around her neck side by side. Then he took her
in his arms and kissed her on the cheek whispering, "Susan, I read the
entire transcript of the trial. I can only pray that you have many
children and just a tiny bit of their mother's incredible courage rubs
off on each of them. Thank you."
The band struck up and the command was given to pass in review. Susan
saw the first detachment was from the Marines. Tears flowed down her
cheeks as she realized it was commanded by Rick, back in uniform for the
day. His chest was also shining with medals, including the Navy Cross.
In the first sergeant's position was Horace Brown who gave her the most
impressive salute she had ever seen. Then she was stunned to realize
that the navy contingent was being personally commanded by Vice Admiral
Charles Adams. Tears started to stream down her cheeks as she realized
the extent of this personal tribute.
Finally, it was over. She met Rick Jackson who was with Sergeant Brown.
When she came up to them, Brown again gave her a meticulous salute to
convey the depth of his respect for her. She teased them by saying it
was a good thing they were together, because all she had to do was look
for the biggest person present and there the sergeant was. After giving
Rick a very warm kiss, she said with a big grin, "Guess what?"
"What?" he responded, returning the grin. "Except that the Commander
looks absolutely gorgeous - and, of course, now outranks me."
"I just got my check," she said. "The President brought it out with
him. Apparently they backdated a couple of promotions so I got over
$200,000. Now, along with the Clinton money, I can even afford a
wedding dress. But Darling, are you sure you still want to marry me?"
"Are you kidding?" Rick asked incredulously. "Wait till I get you home!
Damned right I'm sure."
--
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