[BartMan1]

The court did note that Bucher's leadership helped the crew survive the ordeal. While Bucher was being grilled by the Court of Inquiry, crewmembers passed him a note that read, "We've made it this far together and we'll finish it together." The note was signed "Bucher's Bastards."

It is no small thing for a man to have one real friend in this life -- truly through his actions, Cmdr Bucher insured these men were his.

[IncPen]

This is the part that got me:

Bucher was sent to the St. Joseph's Children Home in Idaho where he remained until 1940 when he saw the Spencer Tracy film "Boys Town." Bucher wrote to Boys Town founder Father Edward Flanagan in Nebraska, asking for permission to live there. Flanagan sent him a train ticket, according to an account provided by Boys Town.

"Boys Town was the only home that I ever had," Bucher once said.

I am put in mind of one of the greats in the generation before us, who, relating the horrors of his own war, waved his hand and said, "You play the hand you're dealt..."