While LT McDonough expresses his quote in Chapter 16 in regards to threatening a farmer, I believe the more remarkable case study within the chapter is of the platoon using the buddhist sanctuary as a kill zone. Tactically, LT McDonough understood that the Temple’s light system acted as key terrain. Whoever controlled the signaling within the village could relay intelligence regarding American patrolling activities in area.

My question is why it took casualties for LT McDonough to seize the initiative and forcibly deny the Vietnamese from using the sanctuary. With the death of Fricker, LT McDonough acknowledges, “The enemy had known where Robinson’s patrol was headed. I had to break their intelligence system. For too long I had honored the sanctity of the Car Dai temple, a key link in the signaling system since it had the highest tower and the loudest gong in the area” (177). I do not know the rules of engagement for LT McDonough or how he reported his actions or if he would have been held accountable for his actions in the temple, but his actions saved future Soldiers from deaths like Fricker’s.

I believe his pragmatism won out. He was not reprimanded for his actions, the Viet Cong ceased to use the temple for signals, and he regained the initiative with his squad-sized patrols. While it was not right in absolute terms, it was effective. Leaders must recognize that sometimes constraints must be sidestepped to accomplish the mission. I silently applauded his audacity, but was upset that he had not acted before Fricker was killed in action.

Wrong or right, LT McDonough recognized that the grim reality affected his decisions. He tried to maintain impartiality and I believe that is the best anyone can do in his position.