He carried out special operations, for the infantry and heavy
artillery. Practically all of his work was done under fire and he was
many times mentioned in orders for his extraordinary efficiency.]
“I knew very well the machine gun he meant. It was in a concrete
emplacement, walled and roofed, and the devils in charge of it seemed
to be descendants of William Tell and the prophet Isaiah, They always
knew what was coming and had their guns accurately trained on it before
it came.
“‘If you are willing,’ said Major Lewis, ‘I wish you to select
twenty-five men from the company and go after that gun the minute the
order comes to advance. Use your own judgment about the men and the
plan for taking the gun position. Will you go?’
“‘Yes, sir,’ I answered. ‘I’ll go and pick out the men right away. I
think we can make those fellows shut up shop over there.’
“Good boy!’ he said. ‘You’ll try, all right.’
“I started away. He called me back.
“‘This is going to be a bit hot, McClintock,’ he said, taking my hand.
‘I wish you the best of luck, old fellow—you and the rest of them.’ In
the trenches they always wish you the best of luck when they hand you a
particularly tough job.