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Joe Colton reminisces about his most important mission.


Detailed summary

Ace and Joseph Colton prepare for takeoff, with Ace assigned to transport Colton to D.C. for a top-secret mission. As they discuss Colton's last experience in a combat jet, he is flooded with memories from his past.

The story transitions to a flashback in Vietnam, where Colton, alongside teammates "Top" Wenzel and Angel Vasquez, attempts to divert enemy forces by blowing up an ammo bunker to ensure their extraction.

Tragedy strikes when Colton and his team reach the extraction point. A heavy machine gun outpost destroys their helicopter, injuring Angel in the process. Colton carries his wounded teammate to a backup helicopter, but the pilot insists on following strict orders to transport Colton to Tonsonhut and eventually Washington. Desperate to save Angel, Colton pleads to be taken to the nearest base camp, but the pilot refuses. Angel succumbs to his injuries during the flight, prompting Colton to delay his trip to D.C. to attend to his fallen comrade.

Once in Washington, Colton is surprised to meet President John F. Kennedy in person. JFK expresses his understanding of Colton's loyalty to his men and reveals that he has bigger plans for him: to form a new army unit, code-named "G.I. Joe," that will answer directly to the President. As JFK prepares to depart for Texas, he commends Colton for honoring Vasquez's memory and trusts that he will do the right thing.

Snapped back to the present by Ace, Colton is informed that they are about to land in Arlington National Cemetery. As they fly overhead, they observe a sizable security presence awaiting their arrival.

Colton, still lost in thought, requests a moment to compose himself before proceeding with the mission. This brief reflection serves as a testament to the burden of responsibility he carries, both for the lives of his comrades and for the future of his country.

Appearances

Featured Characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

G.I. Joe Others


  • CIA pilot (6)
  • Vasquez (3)
  • Viet Cong (5)
  • Wenzel (4)
  • President John F. Kennedy (7)

Memorable quotes

  • None yet.

Other Notes

Errors

  • 1963 would have been the early years of US involvement in Vietnam. However, the soldiers' dress and slang are more in line with the official war, which wouldn't begin for two years.

Items of note

  • First appearance: Ghoststriker X-16
  • This was a special "30th anniversary" issue of the entire GI Joe franchise, commemorating 1964 to 1994.
  • A 3¾" figure of Joe Colton was released, based on his appearance in this issue.
  • President Kennedy forms G.I. Joe - but says that's only a temporary name.

Pin-ups

Real-world references

  • One of the first units assigned to Vietnam was the Green Berets; in this story, Colton wears a green beret while in the field.
  • Kennedy has a model of PT-109 in his office.

G.I. Joe references

  • Joe's girlfriend Jane is mentioned.

Footnotes and References

  1. This is actually the art that's been in the corner boxes since issue #149.


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