We Were Soldiers Once… And Young We Were: Ia Drang - The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam is a 1992 book written by Lt. Gen Harold G. Moore and war journalist Joseph L. Galloway about the Vietnam War. It is concentrated on the specific role of the First and Second Battalions of the 7th Cavalry Regiment in the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, which was the United States' first large-unit battle of the Vietnam War. Through vivid imagery, Moore and Gallery provide description of the battle. They establish pathos and ethos through the recap of those men’s experiences and the way combat transformed their lives. From reading We Were Soldiers Once…And Young, I have learned the value of selfless service, respect, and the severity of war all which
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“…I applied the same philosophy in Vietnam, where every battalion commander had his own command-and-control helicopter. Some commanders used their helicopter as their personal mount. I never believed in that. You had to get on the ground with your troops to see and hear what was happening. You have to soak up firsthand information for your instincts to operate accurately. Besides, it’s too easy to be crisp, cool, and detached at 1, 500 feet; too easy to demand the impossible of your troops; too easy to make mistakes that are fatal only to those souls far below in the mud, the blood, and the confusion”(p.40). This demonstrates the concept of selfless service from the perspective of an officer. An officer is delegated to lead his/her soldiers; however Lt. Gen Harold led by example. LT. Gen Harold displayed selfless service due to the fact that he was willing to join his soldiers on the battle field. Instead of indulging in the privileges that officers possess such as Helicopters, he chose to work closely with his soldiers in the field. He received hands on experience on their lack of sleep, pain, and dehydration. This is applicable to my intended field because now I will take the time to understand my soldiers through working closely with them, and placing their needs before my own as Lt. Gen Harold …show more content…
“I can't promise you that I will bring you all home alive. But this I swear, before you and before Almighty God, that when we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off, and I will leave no one behind. Dead or alive, we will all come home together. So help me, God” (pg.14). This displays the severity of war due to the importance of sustaining people’s lives. By sustaining the lives of the soldiers this ensures the security of completing the mission. Also this enhances the soldier’s overall experiences and skills due to the fact that they are familiar with the battlefield. War also establishes camaraderie amongst the unit. Going into the war, the soldiers were not as close when they returned from war. The war brought them closer as individuals due to the traumatic experiences they shared on the battlefield. This relates back to my field of study because now I will approach my occupation differently. Lt. Gen Harold has offered a unique perspective on war; A perspective consisting of the necessity of sustaining my soldiers’ lives. I am also knowledgeable about the importance of camaraderie amongst my soldiers. I will establish a professional relationship with my soldiers to establish camaraderie; Such as knowing their family members and their strengths and weaknesses. Now, I will do everything to ensure their safety and security at my
“…I applied the same philosophy in Vietnam, where every battalion commander had his own command-and-control helicopter. Some commanders used their helicopter as their personal mount. I never believed in that. You had to get on the ground with your troops to see and hear what was happening. You have to soak up firsthand information for your instincts to operate accurately. Besides, it’s too easy to be crisp, cool, and detached at 1, 500 feet; too easy to demand the impossible of your troops; too easy to make mistakes that are fatal only to those souls far below in the mud, the blood, and the confusion”(p.40). This demonstrates the concept of selfless service from the perspective of an officer. An officer is delegated to lead his/her soldiers; however Lt. Gen Harold led by example. LT. Gen Harold displayed selfless service due to the fact that he was willing to join his soldiers on the battle field. Instead of indulging in the privileges that officers possess such as Helicopters, he chose to work closely with his soldiers in the field. He received hands on experience on their lack of sleep, pain, and dehydration. This is applicable to my intended field because now I will take the time to understand my soldiers through working closely with them, and placing their needs before my own as Lt. Gen Harold …show more content…
“I can't promise you that I will bring you all home alive. But this I swear, before you and before Almighty God, that when we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off, and I will leave no one behind. Dead or alive, we will all come home together. So help me, God” (pg.14). This displays the severity of war due to the importance of sustaining people’s lives. By sustaining the lives of the soldiers this ensures the security of completing the mission. Also this enhances the soldier’s overall experiences and skills due to the fact that they are familiar with the battlefield. War also establishes camaraderie amongst the unit. Going into the war, the soldiers were not as close when they returned from war. The war brought them closer as individuals due to the traumatic experiences they shared on the battlefield. This relates back to my field of study because now I will approach my occupation differently. Lt. Gen Harold has offered a unique perspective on war; A perspective consisting of the necessity of sustaining my soldiers’ lives. I am also knowledgeable about the importance of camaraderie amongst my soldiers. I will establish a professional relationship with my soldiers to establish camaraderie; Such as knowing their family members and their strengths and weaknesses. Now, I will do everything to ensure their safety and security at my