In October of 1983, American...
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In October of 1983, American medical students were held hostage in the revolt in Grenada. In the operation to rescue the students, Norman Schwarzkopf was assigned as army advisor to Navy Admiral Metcalfe. Schwarzkopf was warned he wouldn't be welcome. Worse, the first thing he had to do when he boarded the Guam was to send an aide for sea-sickness pills. The objective was mainly a show of force, the Grenadian rebels would waffle when they saw U.S. forces, and the operation would be over in a day. But Cuban forces were there and dug in. Admiral Metcalfe relied on Schwarzkopf for ground operations. At one point, Schwarzkopf suggested that Army Rangers, ready and standing by, could be carried to the point of rescue by Marine helicopters. While he was making the arrangements, the Marine officer in charge of the helicopters balked at using his Marine helicopters to transport Army soldiers. He insisted on waiting for his Marine troops -- possibly so the Marines would get the credit. But the Marines wouldn't be available for 24 hours, while the soldiers were right there waiting. Schwarzkopf pulled rank, using Admiral Metcalfe's name, and threatening court martial. The Marine helicopters flew the soldiers in and the students were rescued that day. Hearing of this, Metcalfe made Schwarzkopf his official second in command, but that didn't end the unwelcoming. Luke shows us the Ethiopian being baptized by Philip to say that it doesn't matter who is to be rescued or who is to do the rescuing -- everyone is welcome and anyone can be the welcomer. -- Mosley
