One Piece at a Time

In 1976 Johnny Cash recorded a song
About an auto worker and his compatriot working on the assembly line
Who built a car from stolen parts over 24 years
One piece at a time

The song was a big hit, but a similar incident occurred in WW2
To an acquaintance of mine, whom I worked with after the war, named Dan
Who was a propeller mechanic serving in New Guinea, and a mechanical genius
Who scavaged parts from wrecked vehicles, including some of Japanese origin, and built a vehicle that actually ran

Dan was a sergeant, and many officers in his company
Were upset that an enlisted man was riding around in his own private vehicle, a unique event by far
Eventually Dan was court martialed for stealing a jeep, but was acquitted
Because there was no record that demonstrated it was a government car

After his acquittal, there continued to be some resentment about Dan and his private jeep
But it fairly quickly dissipated when Dan used his vehicle and mechanical skill
To construct and locate the materials needed
To operate a whiskey producing still

Thus Dan became well respected, not a villain
As he handed out booze to officers and enlisted men, without extracting any fee
And his superior officers ceased to question his anti- authoritarian style
And decided to just let this maverick be

Thus Dan used his exceptional mechanical skills
To keep damaged propellers in good repair
While simultaneously having a private vehicle
And providing free booze to the soldiers who were there

After the war was over Dan, like me, worked at a white collar job
But I’m sure he must have frequently had a pleasant memory
About his days in New Guinea when he successfully battled
Both the U.S. Army and our war-time enemy