LT McDonoughs response to the enemy ambush on his PB was an excellent example of poise under fire coupled with decisive leadership. His placement of massive casualty producing weapons, coupled with his communication with his squad leaders, allowed him to effectively respond to the massive output of enemy small arms and indirect fire.  As the first wave of NVA fighters assaulted his PB, his communication with higher headquarters allowed LT McDonough to illuminate the battlefield with indirect illumination flares, and the support of aviation assets. His issues with the Cobra Gunships was analogous to problems that many ground commanders face when coordinating with pilots; directing fires toward the enemy and away from friendly ground troops and avoiding civilian casualties. When the pilots prepared a gun run in the vicinity of a neighboring village, LT ordered them to hold off and wait for his tracing rounds to mark the location of the enemy forces and made sure that they confirm their target before initiating fires. This decision by the LT was not only the right thing to do from an ethical standpoint but also allowed for the gunships to have more efficient and focused fire on the enemy. This bought time for the platoon to be supported by armor assets, and finally repel the enemy attack. The actions by LT McDonough were appropriate and tactically sound, which, if I was a soldier in his platoon, would give me increased confidence in his leadership abilities.