In chapter 10, 2nd platoon’s patrol base is meet with a Vietcong force that greatly outnumbers LT McDonough’s depleted forces on the night of October 9th. Some of the platoon was awake but most of the American force was set in for the night, including LT McDonough. Amidst the chaos of the overwhelming attack, it is McDonough’s job as the PL to call BN for air and artillery support, as well as direct the fire of his soldiers fighting off the attack. For the majority of the battle, the platoon’s fighting strength is 13-14 PAX with wounded soldiers needing medical attention all across the platoon base. In all of this chaos and confusion, it stuck out to me how McDonough is able to be thrown into such a disorganized situation that has unfolded in such a short time to stay resolute and deliberate in his actions. He took no pause in his actions and was not waivered by so many confusing variables (he was attacked while resting, his RTO was injured, South Vietnamese forces were scrambling to safely through the wire, a woman and a wounded child running up their south east apex). It may have been due to the great deal of training he received or his experience of the enemy while in country, nevertheless, I found his unwavering concentration whilst soaking in every detail of the events unfolding around him to be exceptionally remarkable. It is a leadership presence that I hope to be able to wield in the future.
When LT McDonough was informed by the cobra pilot that he was to level the village, he was faced with another difficult situation. Along with his actions in the first stage of the battle, he did not allow the fog of war and the maddening confusion of thee fight to cloud his judgement or force him to freeze when faced with a snap decision. He absolutely made the right choice in standing up to the pilot and ordering him to stand down.