my kind of general

If, heaven forbid, I end up being a general someday (which is about as likely as the movie Mars Attacks coming true tomorrow), this is the kind of general I'd want to be. This is an excerpt from the book I'm reading called Boys of '67:

"[General] Davis also had a fun-loving side and tried to make the best of life in a hot, miserable war zone. As the temperature topped 120 degrees, he often ended his day in the helicopter by landing on the beach for a cool dip in the South China Sea. This wasn't far from known enemy strongholds around the DMZ.

"Davis and his staff would jump out of the helicopter, discard their sweat-soaked uniforms, and dash into the sea for a cooling swim in the buff. Sometimes regimental commanders would drop by in their own helicopters to swim and talk over the next day's plans.

"During one such chat, geysers of water began shooting up from several hundred yards offshore. As the splashes started moving inland toward the Marines, the general and his entourage realized these were not whale sightings. Enemy mortars were walking the rounds toward them, closer and closer.

"Everyone raced out of the water and double-timed it toward the helicopter. The Huey pilot had his whirlybird ready for a getaway. They jumped inside, and after everyone was aboard, Davis gave the thumbs-up for takeoff. The beach and the explosions were receding below them when Jones realized something of personal, if not tactical, importance. They'd left their uniforms on the sand.

"'Sir' he told Davis, 'We can't go back to the division CP like this.'

"Davis smiled at the prospect of landing in Dong Ha in the nude. However, he agreed that they should avoid such a cheeky display before the troops. Stars and Stripes would have a field day: General Escapes Mortar Attack, Moons Men. 'OK, Jim,' he said, 'let's pay a visit to the 2nd battalion and borrow some clothes.'

"After months of flying around the I Corps section of South Vietnam, Davis's chopper, Seaworthy 4-3, was a familiar sight. When it hovered over the alternate landing zone, 2nd Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Billy Duncan, dashed out to greet them. He was strapping on his pistol and adjusting his hat to be properly attired.

"When Davis and his entourage jumped out of the helicopter in all of their glory, Duncan saluted and managed to say with a straight face, 'Nice to see you again, sir!'"