Paperwork is always slow. I arrived at Charlie company middle of March. 1st real firefight was 3-4 weeks later. Seldom did we ever have a company formation when back in base camp, most of us were surprised when this set of orders was handed out.
At the time I did not realize that this award would be the only one that really meant something to me.
With the award we were handed a sterling silver CIB pin (I still the same pin from that day)
THE INFANTRYMAN'S CREED
THIS IS MY RIFLE. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life. My rifle, without me is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless.
I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than any enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...
My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weakness, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will... Before God I swear this creed.
My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace.
