Salute by Thomson Burtis (1942)
"Salute" by Thomson Burtis is a story narrated by "Slim" Evans, a member of the Army Air Service, who recounts an episode involving Lieutenant Percival Enoch O'Reilly and Lieutenant Ralph Kennedy. The narrative begins with Slim introducing himself and his background in the Air Service, setting the stage for the tale of O'Reilly and Kennedy. The story unfolds in McMullen, Texas, where the Air Service Border patrol is stationed. O'Reilly, a seasoned flyer with a colorful past, is confronted with the arrival of Kennedy, a reserve officer with whom he shares a complicated history. Kennedy, described as a charming yet morally ambiguous character, has a past intertwined with O'Reilly's, involving dubious activities and a potential for blackmail. Despite Kennedy's likable demeanor, O'Reilly is wary of his intentions, especially concerning Shirley Curran, a young woman who becomes infatuated with Kennedy. O'Reilly, fearing for Shirley's well-being and his own reputation, confronts Kennedy, leading to a tense standoff. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a tidal wave devastates Laguna, prompting the Air Service to conduct rescue operations. During these missions, Kennedy's plane crashes into the Gulf, leaving him stranded amidst shark-infested waters. In a selfless act, O'Reilly lands his plane to save Kennedy, showcasing his bravery and complex relationship with Kennedy. The story culminates in a poker game at the Curran household, where Kennedy deliberately cheats to sever his ties with Shirley, revealing his true nature to her and the others. This act of self-sabotage is Kennedy's way of protecting Shirley from his own flawed character. The tale concludes with a tragic flight where Kennedy sacrifices himself, allowing O'Reilly to survive, thus redeeming himself in his final moments. "Salute" explores themes of friendship, redemption, and the complexities of human character, highlighting the duality of Kennedy as both a scoundrel and a hero.
By Thomson Burtis · First published 1942 · Genre: Military Fiction, War Fiction, Adventure · 18,218 words
First lines
Before advancing a few choice bits of philosophy, speculation and what have you, I'm going to introduce myself. I do this so that you may promptly divest my theories of any importance whatever, and let them roll off your knife smoothly and without effort. That being done, you can proceed, if you like, to digest the illustrative anecdote concerning the little matter of Lieutenant Percival Enoch O'Reilly, Air Service, Regular Army, versus Lieutenant Ralph Kennedy, Air Service, Reserve Corps.
What this Textopian page supports
Salute is listed on Textopian as a novella by Thomson Burtis, dated 1942 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Thomson Burtis
- Date: 1942 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Military Fiction, War Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Length: 18,218 words
- Structure: 1 section, 370 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Salute by Thomson Burtis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Military Fiction — The narrative centers around military life, honor, and the complexities of wartime leadership, making the military experience a core aspect of the book.
- War Fiction — The plot is set against the backdrop of conflict, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and the impact of war on individuals and society.
- Adventure — The book incorporates dynamic journeys and high-stakes exploits that drive the plot forward, engaging readers with its thrilling narrative style.
- Historical Fiction — The story is embedded in a specific historical context, using period-specific details and events to enhance the authenticity of its setting.
Tags
military · war · action · adventure · historical · courage · valor · heroism · combat · strategy · sacrifice · conflict