Courtney Massengale's

[sg1fan93]

I am almost done with Once An Eagle by Anton Myrer and I have to ask this question, are there really Courtney Massengale type officers out there? I just finished the PALLADIUM section and can't believe that such a man can actually exist in the Army. This may just be because I am quite naive abut such things, but I have to ask.

[LineInTheSand]

Explain. I haven't read it, and I likely won't.

[jake s]

It's a long read but a good one. Basically the story is that you have Sam Damon's career-- Mustang, MOH awardee from WWI, combat leader-- vs. Courtney Massangale's-- USMA grad, various staff positions with famous generals, plays politics and uses his MOC uncle to progress up the ranks-- and how they finally square off in a fictional WWII Pacific operation codenamed PALLADIUM.

I'm interested to hear what some active duty service members can say about this. I asked myself the same question when I finished the book.

[flieger83]

Short answer: YES there are "Courtney Massengale's" out there in the services...

They're also out there in the civilian sector as well.

And sometimes they win.

BUT...if you strive to adhere to similar traits of Sam and Ben...you'll do fine.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
**AVID book reader**
(you happened to pick one of my favorites)

[sg1fan93]

First off, LineInTheSand, you should definitely at least attempt to read the book. It is absolutely fantastic. And thank you Flieger for answering. I do intend to act like Ben and Sam, but it is still disconcerting that people like Massengale manage to exist in the world.