Rhodes sat back. Yes, it was a gamble, but the harbor is wide and deep. There would be plenty of room to turn tail and run if the shooting started. No cloak would be able to hide them, that was for sure. Besides, unless they were shooting huge guns, there wasn’t much they could do to the ship. He rubbed his hand down his face. “Well, I’m in. I’ll get you there and back and will sit in the harbor with my guns cocked if they do anything stupid. But maybe we need to ask Jeffers if he’s in on it,” he said. “I can’t order a guy to do what you’re asking,” he said as he reached for the phone and had Jeffers come to his cabin.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door and the sentry announced the First Lieutenant. As Jeffers stepped into the cabin his face broke into a smile.
“Rod! How are you,” exclaimed Hustvedt.
“Just fine, Admiral. It’s good to see you both again,” Jeffers said shaking their hands. Rhodes had him sit and they explained the plan to him. He listened intently, then let out a breath. “You make me wish I didn’t know Russian,” he said.
“I know, Rod, but this is important,” said Richardson. “I have other translators, but they don’t have the background and understanding you do, so I’m asking if you will do this with me,” she said.
Jeffers’ smile widened. “Of course you know I will,” he said. “When do we go?”
“Actually, we go in tomorrow morning. A message will be sent to them letting them know we will be coming in under a white flag. We are offering to negotiate aboard the ship or ashore depending on their wishes. Hopefully that will mean a free passage at least,” said Richardson.
“What about you, Admiral? Are you coming too?”
Hustvedt grinned. “No, I am going aboard my old ship to be there just in case. If somebody does start shooting, I’ll make them wish they had never pulled a trigger,” he said.
“Well, I guess we’re both in then,” said Rhodes.
Hustvedt slapped him on the shoulder. “Good. I had a feeling you wouldn’t turn us down. Now I have a request. Could I address your officers and chiefs in the wardroom?” he asked.
“Of course. When would you like to do it?”
“Why not now. I’ll have to leave to get to the North Carolina soon anyway. So if you don’t mind?” Hustvedt asked.
Rhodes asked Jeffers to take care of it and Jeffers left the room. That was when Hustvedt told him the reason for the assembly.
The wardroom was filled with men sitting and standing. The conversations and speculation filled the air. Suddenly the aft door opened and someone shouted, “Attention on deck!”
The room fell silent as Hustvedt, Richardson and Rhodes entered the room. The head table had been cleared and the officers took a seat. Once seated the rest of the room took their seats.
“Officer and Chiefs of the Iowa we are privileged to have Vice Admiral Hustvedt and General Claire Richardson with us today. Tomorrow morning we are going to be included in a special mission to see if we can get the city of Sevastopol to surrender. I’ll brief you more later, but the Admiral asked if he could address you before he left. Admiral,” he said as he turned to Hustvedt.
Hustvedt stood and placed a package on the table. “Ladies and Gentlemen, than you for letting me come aboard today. It’s nice to be around battleship sailors again,” he said. There was a chuckle from the men in the room. “I came here today to not only talk about this special mission but to also single out someone for some of the bravest actions and most brilliant work I have been privileged to witness. Lieutenant Commander Jeffers, could you please come forward.”
Jeffers, obviously caught by surprise, looked at the people around him before standing and making his way to the head table. As he got there, he was asked to come to attention.
Hustvedt pulled out a blue document holder and a smaller blue box. “Many of you may not know it, but Operation Arctic Wind was authored by a virtually unknown officer who was told to write something up as an exercise just to get some experience. That exercise became one of the greatest operational plans since the Normandy invasion in 1944. The author of that plan is standing before you today. “The Secretary of Defense takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant Commander Roderick Jeffers for his amazing intellectual skills in conceiving, and planning Operation Arctic Wind during the War with Russia. Your keen grasp of the tactical and strategic mission of the Allied Forces, their abilities and the execution of what has become the largest amphibious operation since the Second World War reflects great credit upon yourself, the Navy and the Department of Defense of the United States. Your expert planning and execution of Operation Arctic Wind has been instrumental in the success of Allied efforts. From the Secretary of Defense. Congratulations,” said Hustvedt, as he opened the smaller box and pulled out the yellow, blue and white ribboned medal emblazoned with an eagle. The wardroom broke into applause as Hustvedt pinned the medal on Jeffers’ chest.
After a respectable time Hustvedt motioned for quiet once more. Jeffers turned and began to go back to his seat when he heard, “Not so fast, Commander.” Hustvedt motioned for him to return, then called the wardroom to attention. Everyone stood.
“The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Roderick Jeffers for services set forth in the following citation. For conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary skill and supreme courage while serving on the staff of the Commander Allied Black Sea Expedition. After several missile strikes, Lieutenant Commander Jeffers, with little regard for personal safety, did take command of the USS America upon the death of her commanding officer and incapacitation of the ship’s executive officer. Despite being wounded and surrounded by flames from several missile hits, his quick actions allowed him to regain control of the ship and prevent the America from colliding with the aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise. He continued to pilot the ship, alone, helping firefighting teams in their efforts to extinguish multiple fires aboard the ship from incoming missiles while providing medical aid to the ship’s executive officer and other crewmen. Despite being wounded a second time from enemy missile fire, Jeffers maintained his vigilance for two hours as the ship’s personnel battled raging fires to get to the bridge. Despite fires which threatened to consume him, he maintained his post and brought the ship to safety. His actions bring great credit upon himself and the Naval Service. From the Secretary of the Navy.”
The medal was a cross of gold with a blue and white ribbon. Hustvedt pinned it on Jeffers’ shirt, then shook his hand. Jeffers couldn’t hear the shouts and applause from the others in the wardroom. He simply looked down at the medal on his chest. It was the second highest award in the United States, only below the Medal of Honor. He was stunned. Then he saw Hustvedt pull out another blue box and pin on the Purple Heart. He went back to his seat in a daze. His shipmates were congratulating him and patting him on the back, but it didn’t really register. Jeffers didn’t consider that he had done anything spectacular. He had just done his job. His emotions were mixed. During these same actions he had lost his best friend. Even now, he couldn’t bring himself to play his guitar or banjo because of it. Yet others called him a hero.
After some more talking, the meeting broke up. Jeffers walked to his stateroom and closed the door. He took off the medals and placed them back in their boxes. They were just trappings to be pulled out on special occasions. As he turned around he saw himself in the mirror. The face looking back at him looked older. There were a couple of scars still healing, but it was still the same eyes, nose and mouth from before. In his mind, he didn’t want any special recognition. He just wanted to be a naval officer like all the rest. Jeffers hoped things would not change.