Once there was a lieutenant who was assigned to replace a veteran platoon leader in a combat situation. The soldiers in the platoon worshipped the wounded veteran. Tough combat veterans they were suspicious of the new officier who was a young man just out of an ROTC college program. He surprised them by saying that he intended to bring every soldier in the platoon home, I hope alive but even if you’re killed, I’ll promise you that your body will go home to your families. He wasn’t concerned about winning the respect of his troops. Rather he was intent on taking care of them. He took no chances, and insisted that all the patrols were cautious and careful. He made sure their weapons were in good working order. He took the lead whenever they went into a potential combat situation. He was a taciturn and reserved man, though he always asked what the soldiers thought they should do in a tight spot.He went back for the wounded and brought them back to safety. Somehow he managed to lead the platoon through every dangerous situation. Many were wounded and evacuated, but everyone survived. Then on their last mission he was badly wounded as he carried a wounded kid back to the medics.Someone snapped a picture of him, before the helicopter off the ground. Ther rest of the men carried a copy of that photo with them for the rest of their lives. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for thim, they would tell people. He knew us better than we knew ourselves.

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