5-10 meters inside it. Third, we were on 50%
alert, our guys were ready opened fire the instant
the trips went off.

Vignettes. I go back to the
2nd platoon section, tell the men on the perimeter
what we think happened and fall asleep against a
tree as I await the return of SGT T and the rest
of the platoon. They’re back in a few minutes and
SGT T comes over to me with a soldier in tow; a
new man who joined us in the A Shau a few weeks
earlier.

SGT T always did a good job of
handling “NCO business” on the QT, so I know we
have a major issue. The soldier stands there
looking sullen and angry as SGT T explains that he
argued with his squad leader and tried to
countermand SGT T’s instructions regarding the
perimeter search. I’d heard a few rumors about
this kid; he claimed to be a Ranger School
graduate (but is only an E3?), thought he knew a
lot and didn’t listen well but he had done nothing
serious until now. I do the only thing I can, tell