Fightin' Army #18

Sep 1956 · Charlton · 0.10 USD

☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join free

An anthology of military action stories featuring "The Permanent PFC," in which Private First Class Joyce, an older soldier with natural leadership ability, is repeatedly passed over for officer's candidacy school and sees his leadership tested when he must rally men across a rise under enemy fire. The issue also includes "The Unconquered American," starring Sergeant John Running Deer, a Native American soldier who must overcome both enemy ambush and the prejudice of his own officers who restrict him to guard duty despite his superior fighting skills, eventually allowing him to prove his worth on a dangerous thirty-mile hike mission.

Contains 6 stories

They Saw the Light

6 pp · War

Sergeant Tom Wells leads a patrol into the darkness of the Chienfu Front, where the danger of mines, traps, and enemy fire is ever-present. When Wells fails to return, Colonel Manning—despite being ordered to stay behind—volunteers to lead a rescue, determined to save his men even at great personal risk. As the story unfolds, the colonel and Lieutenant Erraut are captured, and the enemy issues a chilling ransom demand, forcing the remaining troops to confront a desperate choice.

The Permanent P.F.C.

6 pp · War

PFC. Caleb Joyce, a soldier who consistently rejects promotions despite his skill and leadership, is unexpectedly called upon to guide a lieutenant and his platoon through a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Though he holds only the rank of Private First Class, his knowledge of the terrain and tactical sense make him indispensable—especially when he devises a daring plan to turn the enemy’s own mortars against them.

The Unconquered American

6 pp · War

Sergeant John Running Deer, the only survivor of an ambush in the North African desert, uses his Native American instincts and resourcefulness to evade enemy forces and sabotage their supply dump. With no weapons and only his wits, he devises a daring plan to delay the enemy and signal for help, relying on stealth, improvised traps, and a deep connection to his heritage.

Untitled Humor story

1 pp · Humor, Military

Hike, Hike, Hike!

4 pp · Humor, War

A young soldier, barefoot and caught in deep mud, tries to avoid punishment by claiming the muck is "convenient"—until he learns the captain is the one who ordered the muddy hike. When the company is told they must march back thirty miles immediately, the only one who refuses to step forward is the same man, leading to an unexpected moment of recognition and a final, surprising twist.

Well Heeled!

1 pp · Humor

Tightwad Tad’s clacking heels draw attention when a fellow soldier questions the noise, leading to a humorous exchange about his aversion to rubber heels—despite his stinginess, he claims he hates rubber because "rubber gives!" The story builds on his odd logic with escalating absurdity, ending on a punchline that ties back to his frugal nature in a surprising way.