Charlie: What do you think soldiers thought of their leadership at this point in the war? Why?

At this point in the War, I would describe the perspective of the soldiers the same way Fehrenbach described the 8th Army upon General Ridgway’s arrival: “an army gray with the habit of defeat, strong but no longer sure of itself.” This is most notably seen in this section’s reading from the beginning of the reading when in November LT Yancey of the 7th marines was easily able to receive and maneuver with reinforcements for a counterattack without hesitation from any of the men, even when four of them immediately dropped dead from bullets to each of their heads. This significantly contrasts from what was seen later in the reading and the War when LT Heath from the 23rd Infantry tried to retake lost ground with support from artillerymen, no matter what he or other officers told these men, they remained sheltered in the “safety” of a canvas tent.

While these artillerymen don’t necessarily represent the group, as they do not, they serve as an example of soldiers unsure and unwilling to risk their lives as they were unsure of their capabilities. Just as the officers from the 7th Marine Division, leaders such as Captain Elledge continued to lead from the front, ultimately manned the .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a half track vehicle. Once mounted Captain Elledge coordinated the firing of four total .50 caliber machine guns thwarting the CCFs further advance on the hill, a feat equal to or even surmounting that of Captain Phillips of the 7th Marines. Based upon the continuing examples of personal courage and refusal to accept defeat among the ranks of leadership, I will argue that the men’s trust in their CoC is still unwavering, but their trust in their own abilities and the abilities of the men to the left and the right of them was the cause of the inaction seen in the soldiers of the 23rd infantry.