by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
A half-track is
A different kind of steed,
It really is
A bloody half-breed.
It ain't no friggin' truck,
It's hardly ever stuck
In any kind of muck.
Less it lose a track,
It will stay in the
Attack
'Til the bloomin' thing
Is blown to
Smithereens.
We had three in
My old company.
We named them
Veni, Vidi and Vici,
Which is fancy Latin
From a boot
From old Manhattan.
It means
"I came, I saw, I conquered,"
Which is what we all
Set out to do.
We had a driver who
Loved that old track,
It's true.
And he kept the bugger
Runnin' just like new.
He scrubbed
It down,
From turret
To ground,
And the tracks
That made the
Monster go.
There is no doubt
That tracks are here to stay,
Why I saw one on TV
The other day.
They may be changed
From time to time,
To keep their armor
In the prime
And more fire power
Just to keep them in the fray.
Yes, a half-track is
A mighty different steed,
It will serve you
When you're in
Dire need.
It can bring in supplies,
Take out wounded
A'fore they die,
And blow the enemy
From here
To kingdom come.
I take my hat off
To that
Rugged steed,
For it served me
In my time of need.
Took me back
From on line,
When I had
A wounded spine,
Or I wouldn't be
Sittin' here today.
OOORAH!
* * *
About the author: Robert Cook served with Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942~44, at Guadalcanal
and Tarawa, during a 33-month overseas tour.
