One Nation, Under God

Phillips County Museum News for Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Celebrating Independence Day always reminds us of those that have given their lives or a portion of their lives to keep us free. The following is a poem that Bryon “Buck” Hurley wrote while stationed in New Guinea. Bryon attended Wagner grade school and graduated at age 15 from Malta High School. In 1940 he joined the Army and had specialized training at the Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco before being sent to New Guinea. On July 30, 1943, he was killed in action on Roosevelt Ridge in New Guinea. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heat and Silver Star “gallantry above and beyond the call of duty”. Here is his poem:

The Medics Lament

We’re the boys that stand behind you,

We’re the guys that haul you out,

When the Colonel says “give-em hell boys”,

We’re right there when you shout.

You never hear us mentioned,

Unless we get the blame.

But we’ll still be in there pitching,

As you march on to fame.

They call you “gravel crusher”,

They call us a great deal more.

But without us, you’d discover,

That you couldn’t win this war.

They call us “chance mechanics”,

But all that has gone by,

For those laugh the loudest,

Were always the first to cry.

We can always stand and sweat and suffer,

We can go without our tucker

If it helps you win the game.

We’ll be with you till the end boys,

Till we all see Frisco town.

Though we’re lazy worthless medics,

We won’t ever let you down

 

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