Mortar Commander (Liberating Alaska)

A red-headed corporal commanded a mortar team during the United States' liberation of Siknazuak in June, 1929. The young man was a southerner. He and his team were directed by Captain Reardon to shell a house the pro-Soviet forces had turned into a machine gun nest. Unfortunately, the first shot fell short. When Reardon reviewed the position again, he was shot in the head by a sniper. Sgt. Eddie Houlihan began providing range, and this time the shell hit the building containing the nest. The Maxim stopped firing. After several tense minutes, the Maxim gun started up again at the sound of an approaching American armored car. When the Maxim gunners began shooting at the car, Houlihan could direct the mortar team again. After four shots, they destroyed the machine gun.