Col. Ichabod Krane (Grim Reaper)

Membership: Unknown

Known Aliases:

Race: Human (F.I.P)

Height: 5’8

Weight: 180

Apparent Age: 60+

Actual Age: 157 (DOB: 29/02/1928)

Archetype: Airborne Ranger/Green Beret (Cyber Criminal)

Circle: Unknown

Preferred Weapon: Glock 19

Runner Song:

BIO:

It’s time to talk about the man simply known as the Grim Reaper, a man that joined the United States Army at 22 and would be deployed to Korea shortly after the United States got involved and his military career wouldn’t end for another 25 years. Over the next quarter century Krane would find himself fighting in both the Korean War (1950 – 1953) and the Vietnam War (1965 – 1975), and it would be during the Vietnam War where he would earn the name “The Grim Reaper” and he would find himself stationed deep within the frontlines and commanding a camp simply known as Camp Death. Krane would serve over ten tours of duty within the Vietnam War and all of them would be at Camp Death where he would rise to become one of the most respected and feared commanding officers of the entire conflict…though it seems the US Government was simply trying to have him killed, as survivability at Camp Death wasn’t good and it sure wasn’t long. During war soldiers are told the odds of returning home while in Basic Training or Boot Camp, and those odd’s are normally 70%…at Camp Death those odd’s went down dramatically do to it’s location, and it’s importance as this camp stood as both a reconnaissance camp, and a combat outpost throughout it’s tenure in service. Camp Death would move from time to time, but it’s regional location deep within enemy territory would make it crucial to the war effort and combating the communist threat within the country.

Colonel Ichabod Krane would go onto become the most dreaded commanding officer for a soldier to be deployed to as he was the Grim Reaper of the Vietnam Conflict, he commanded Delta Company and was stationed deep in enemy territory within Death Camp. While the war was brutal and casualties where a daily norm within Southeast Asia…at Camp Death this was a daily occurrence and was always in need of fresh meat for the meat grinder. Krane simply embraced the role of being the Grim Reaper and would find himself both revered and feared by all, he commanded from the front, would lead platoons out into the jungle, hold strong, and fight like hell alongside his men…just like a commanding officer should. By 1970 Krane would be wounded over eight times, he would be redeployed back to Camp Death each and every time…and by his ninth wounding he just told Doctor Heath in 1971 “Sew me back up, and ship me back to my camp!” reports indicate that Dr. Heath was trying to send Colonel Krane home do to his injuries…and Krane simply stated “I’m not done with this war, their are plenty of gooks still left to kill…you can send me home in a bag or box…otherwise if I can still walk, breath, and shoot straight…Camp Death is where I belong.” Needless to say Krane got what he wanted and Heath was left in disbelief once again, failing to understand the FIP’s dedication and blatant suicidal behavior…Heath was known for stealing FIP’s boots, pants, and uniforms if it meant they would stay in recovery and actually heal before trying to get on the next transport back to the front.

Krane would join the Army in June of 1950 straight out of High School and would be deployed to Korea in August of the same year, he would find himself injected with the FIP serum against his will and knowledge just after he arrived at Basic Training. After training he was stationed with the 82nd Airborne and would go onto become one of the first Airborne Rangers in 1951 and Green Beret by 1952…he might not have seen much conflict during his time in Korea but what he did see was hell on earth. It would be by the start of the Vietnam Conflict in 1955 that Krane would begin to see action once again; though not officially as “No Americans” were deployed into Vietnam till 1965…Well we all know that the FIP where simply cannon fodder and Krane would be deployed far sooner then 1965. We know that Krane entered the Army with a Bachelors of Education from Seton Hall in 1949 and would leave his teaching job in 1950 to join the Army once President Truman would deploy American Troops in June of 1950…and for Krane it would be a quick ride up the chain and by 1958 he would be entering the US Army War College at the rank of Major and leaving two years later as a Lt. Colonel and come 1960 he would be quietly deployed behind enemy lines deep in North Vietnam and so would begin the legend of the Grim Reaper and Camp Death.

Krane’s time in Vietnam would change him forever, he would enter the conflict November of 1960 five years before America officially got involved. He would be given the command of Delta Company and deployed deep into the jungles of North Vietnam to establish Delta “Death” Camp with a simple set of orders “Hold the Line At All Costs” and that’s just what Krane did. Death Camp would become infamous as the one deployment you will never return home from, the survival rate was 30% and that was being generous. For Krane this was just another action, and another day in hell, for those he commanded it meant they needed to be prepared to die as the casualty rate was well known and was used as a threat stateside during basic training. Though for those that were unlucky enough to be deployed to Camp Death and serve under Colonel Krane, those that survived stated that “Camp Death was Hell, Krane was a grizzled veteran, and he had no fear…he treated us all the same, and he was bluntly honest.” they would go onto say “He would line us all up, and tell us the god’s honest truth on day one, this is no Holiday Inn, This is Camp Death…So before the shit hit’s the fan, write a letter home to whomever you have there and let them know that you have been chosen to serve under the Grim Reaper and Camp Death is where you call home…Hopefully that letter reaches your loved ones before mine does…Welcome to D Company 82nd All The Way!”

During the 15 years of service within the jungles of Vietnam this FIP would see the worst of the war, he would be wounded over a dozen times, he would survive a fragging attempt by a terrified soldier that would rather be in prison over remaining at Camp Death…Needless to say Private Walter Sounds would find himself being hanged for his crimes, and Krane would make damned sure that Camp Death never fell and the line was never broken. Though what would break would be Krane himself and after 15 years at Camp Death with his only R&R (Rest and Relaxation) being when he was wounded and recovering at a nearby MASH unit…yup they actually did this to Krane and it ended up breaking even the Grim Reaper and turning him into a very jaded and very angry individual…his hatred for his commanding officers was well known, his nearly suicidal actions where only rewarded with medals, and his unyielding nature would inspire his men…and they all knew that if Krane is still breathing, then we still fight. Camp Death’s motto was “Never say it’s Quiet” cause it was considered a jinx and seeing Camp Death saw action nearly daily…the troops would begin to fear the silence of the night, knowing that any second bullets or bombs will tear threw the night and fighting would once again commence.

By 1965 Camp Death and Colonel Krane would have truly earned the reputation of being the Harbinger of Death and many simply called Krane; Michael or Azrael both being the Angels of Death…though Grim Reaper stuck. Once America officially got involved in the war, Krane would see a heavy uptick of soldiers and fresh meat and this would continue through till the camps final days…many say that Camp Death was the reason for the need to draft so many men, and the reason so many died during the war. The reason was simple, Camp Death was located within enemy territory, it was deep within the enemies territory, it was a keystone base that was needed to keep the enemy pincered and they knew that Krane’s camp and Delta Company needed to fall…and boy did they try and to no avail, the camp held strong till 1975 when Krane was given the orders to tear down the camp and return to HQ. Well needless to say that day would never come. My great grandfather Spec Erwin Green who served at Camp Death from 1974 – 1975, he was a radio officer and was directly stationed with Colonel Krane would have a few things to say about his last day at Camp Death….I will do my best to paraphrase what he said…mind you Pappy would not even speak of the war for years and when asked about his service all he would say would be “Yes I was there” and “I owe my life to the Grim Reaper”.

According to my Grandfather Camp Death’s final days was not one that would go without incident and as the Camp Clerk he would hear and see most everything…and according to Pappy they were set up by the War Department. Pappy recalled that on May 1st 1975, they would receive the evacuation orders and that they were to return to base camp for airlift home as the war was officially over the day before. Krane simply put a cigarette between his scared lips, ignited it, and said…”Well I guess Hell has truly frozen over, were officially closed for business.” and the alert orders where given.,. Pappy stated that Krane never smiled, he never really spoke much, he simply communicated when needed, and allowed for his body language to determine what was needed…he had been so badly wounded so many times, that simply existing hurt and he had nothing to smile about as Camp Death took everything away from him. Though that’s when according to Pappy all hell would break loose, as they were deassing the camp and getting packed up…the NVA and Viet Cong would attack Camp Death and they would attack in such numbers that this was meant to be their final stand…I mean those at Camp Death. Krane would also notice that the Chinese Army would also be represented among the enemy forces.

Now Pappy wouldn’t go into to much detail, but he would state that as simply a radio officer and company clerk…he didn’t want to be deployed into the shit; he hoped to be safe at basecamp, HQ, or somewhere in a non com zone…once he saw his papers and the stated Delta Company – Camp Delta – CO Col. I. Krane…Pappy said he was terrified, and instantly wrote home to Grandma letting her know that he might be dead by the time she reads this…yeah the legend of Camp Death was real. Pappy was just about to finish his tour and he was still breathing, he was amazed and he had already outlived the last clerk that he was replacing by 3 months…and it wasn’t till the last day that Krane even bothered to learn my Pappy’s name; before that it was simply Green. Once the fighting started and the camp was being over run from all angles, the evacuation orders meant the camps defenses where down and they were open for attack…this was the most stressful part and we all knew that the enemy could strike at any point and when they did; we weren’t surprised…though what happened next was a surprise to everyone, including Colonel Krane.

Krane simply grabbed his weapon, grabbed me by the straps and started barking orders and helping defend the base against the enemy. He had me on the radio calling in for artillery fire and airstrikes to stale and slow the enemy and allow for Krane and his men to make it out, over the tinny chatter and machinegun fire, you could hear the acknowledgement and it was simply fight and move, destroy what couldn’t be evacuated and pray reinforcements arrive…well they never did, according to Pappy the US did send planes to drop bombs and the artillery fire began; though it was right on their location…Pappy was frozen as Krane tackled him down as shrapnel and bullets tore through the containers and crates they were hiding behind; according to Pappy he heard Krane say “For Fucks Sake, Not Again!”…Pappy was yelling he gave accurate coordinates…Krane bellowed back “I Fucking Know!”….when the smoke cleared Krane and Pappy where the last men standing, Pappy doesn’t talk much about the war and I haven’t seen him in a good long while…Pappy said the war changed him, he told me that when the bombs started dropping…now he was accustomed to nearby artillery fire, and hearing gunfire as he was stationed at Camp Death and everyone knew to stay the fuck out of the mine fields and watch out for the claymores, though rarely would the fighting make it directly to the camp itself as the defensive layering was it’s best defense and so was having a fearless commanding officer that inspired his men.

On this day May 1st 1975, Grandpa said all hell broke loose and men where being killed faster then a pack of wolves on three legged deer. He watched Krane get hit and simply shrug off injury and continue to fight and shield Pappy, Pappy wasn’t combat infantry, he wasn’t special forces, Pappy said he returned fire, and that he was sure he hit some gooks…but he couldn’t be sure and then suddenly B-52 bombers filled the sky and kaboom the munitions started being dropped right on Camp Death….Pappy was all over the place in his recalling of the story and he was only able to recall a little at a time and yes it has been sometime since I last spoke with and saw Pappy; So forgive me here…as I am trying to recall the minor details. So basically when the smoke cleared all at Camp Death where…well dead except for Colonel Ichabod Krane and Spec Erwin Green, and needless to say neither man was in any condition to fight let alone walk; the two wounded men simply accepted there fate and awaited the cold embrace of death. According to Pappy he would wake up in a medical bay and be told that Colonel Krane was killed in action…Pappy was happy to be alive but couldn’t believe that the Grim Reaper had actually perished and simply refused to accept the Army’s explanation as to what happened.

The Army would be forced to eat their words when Colonel Krane would show up at medical alive and very wounded, and to everyone’s surprise especially Dr. Heath…Krane simply stated…”Okay, the war is done with me now Doc.”…According to my Grandpa this is when the Army simply tried to silence Krane, Dr. Heath and Dr. Gravel refused to allow the Army to black tag Colonel Krane and they would rush him into surgery. When Pappy would wake up in recovery after surgery, he would be greeted by the stone grimace of Krane with a simple “Well looks like you get to go home a hero Green…I couldn’t have asked for a better clerk and friend.”….by this point the MASH unit was packing up as the war was over and it was time for all Americans to go home, Pappy stated that they would be transported out of the bush and to a hospital in Tokyo…and it would be on that trip that Krane would once again save my grandfathers life as well as the other GI’s on that plane.

I am personally not sure I fully believe Pappy here as they were all fresh from surgery and not in fighting condition, though I have heard horror stories from other FIP and those old veterans are damned near unstoppable until killed…and this is Colonel Krane, the fucking Grim Reaper. According to Pappy while aboard the medical transport, Krane remained awake, vigilant, and refused all pain reliving medications from the staff, he told them “You will have to kill me when I am awake…and that won’t be fucking easy!” Pappy knew Krane distrusted medical, and he especially distrusted the government…this distrust was well placed as it seems Krane and War Department had issues and he knew he was a disposable solider as an FIP and he wasn’t ready to die yet. At some point during the flight, they came to Krane again and tried to give him an injection…and this was when Krane snapped, he saw Dr. Heath sleeping in a jumper seat, Dr. Gravel as well out cold, and he didn’t recognize the man trying to inject him…Pappy said when Krane noticed the name “Sounds” on the uniform…Krane simple snapped screaming “No you Fucking Don’t…You’re not Fragging me!” and started to struggle with the doctor…who turned out not to be a doctor, and yeah somehow Krane not only fought off the imposter, he managed to flip the script and drive the needle into “Sounds” neck and deposit the payload…he stiches split, blood running from wounds as “Sounds” struggled to breath and collapsed deader than a doornail.

Krane simply stood between my Pappy and the rest of imposters, he was armed with a side arm he took of the imposter and one by one they tried to take down Krane and one by one Krane ended them with a single shot from the pistol. Once out of ammo if was simply use the pistol as a club and prove that he really deserved to be called The Angel of Death…It wouldn’t be till Heath woke up and saw the carnage….now Pappy said he passed out by that point, and from there he refused to talk anymore; only saying that he is alive because of Krane, and he owes everything to the Grim Reaper…according to records Colonel Krane would go missing on July 4th 1976, and he hasn’t been seen since. Some say that he simply succumbed to his wounds, is sitting in federal prison for murder, became a transient like many veterans of Vietnam, or just fell off the radar…now any of these could be true and a real possibility seeing the government for some reason was trying to kill him. Though Pappy would return home from the VFW Hall spooked and muttering all sorts of nonsense, we thought it was just the grief of loosing his daughter my grandmother…though it was one word he said “Fragged” that gave me a pause; as he was packing a bag, he simply said “They ain’t gonna frag me, I ain’t gonna get fragged.” and then he looked at me dead in the eyes and with total terror he grabbed my shoulders and said “Son…If you see the Grim Reaper, let him know they found me…and I won’t let them Frag me or my family.” that was during the summer of 2049 and I haven’t seen Grandpa since…I swear I saw Colonel Krane smoking a cigarette watching the house as Grandpa kissed us all and fled the house like he was running for his life.

Now I know it’s 2085 and there hasn’t been a confirmed sighting of Colonel Krane in over a century, and as someone that is only alive do to my great grandfather having served in Vietnam (1965 – 1975) and was injected against his will with the F.I.P serum…thus granting his offspring immortality as well, I can understand their paranoia and why they might just one day up and vanish not wanting to be fragged or dragged back to hell kicking and screaming. I believe I saw Colonel Krane all those years ago, I believe that the Grim Reaper is still alive, and I believe my Pappy witnessed something that the government wants silenced. Vietnam was hell for all involved and especially the FIP veterans that where forced to endure inhuman torture and treatment on a daily basis, only wishing for death and many would return home broken, beaten, and forced to cope with the demons of war alone and forgotten…many loose their fight and succumb to suicide to silence the demons; I am but one man, one that witnessed the unraveling of Pappy, and I as well witnessed many of his friends from the VFW simply unravel and many are no longer around as they lost their fight and the war was over with them…though I now believe that many aren’t dead, and many are just in hiding like my Pappy from a war they never agreed to fight in and for a cause they didn’t believe in…and now they are immortal and tortured forever.

When it comes to Colonel Krane, I have seen the old photo’s from Pappy’s war locker; I have seen the unit picture on the mantle place, he was always proud of his service, and was even prouder that he was 82nd Airborne. Seeing he was the clerk of the Grim Reaper directly, I have seen many photo’s of the man as Pappy had a camera and was quite the shutterbug. I am writing this simply because the story needs to be told and people need to know about Camp Death and your stories matter, your lives matter, and you matter to someone…I know Camp Death lives in the minds of those that survived her and she is one hell of a bitch, but remember you have people that are looking out for you. I know I am risking everything writing this and admitting that I am the great grandson on one of the last survivors of Camp Death; whatever caused Pappy to run from everything in total terror is still out there and it’s looking for Pappy, Krane, and other survivors of Camp Death.

Though recently I spotted………..Who’s there………….Wait……Shit…..Deassing Now!