Aftermath

I just found this last post in my Draft Folder

"We Were Soldiers Once and Young" highlighted the accomplishments of several great leaders and the effects they had on the men with whom they served.

One such leader was Hal Moore. He was tasked to lead men in a completely new type of warfare. He trained his men physically and mentally to make up for lack of experience. The amount of training paid off as soon as the feces hit the fan at Ia Drang. Every man knew the duties of the men above and below him. This allowed a quick transfer of control should someone get hit. Moore also had a "lead from the front" mentality that kept his men motivated. He was the first one off the chopper and the last one back on when the battle was over. When they first landed at Ia Drang, he was on line with his men while simultaneously ordering his men into position.

Another outstanding leader that is not as well known is Bruce Crandall. He and fellow pilot Ed Freeman led repeated flights into hot LZs to keep the men on the ground in fighting condition. He flew an unarmed helicopter for 31 hours straight and rescued over 70 wounded comrades and brought ammo to the men on the ground. For his bravery he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Lieutenant Rick Rescorla was another shining example of a good leader. He was a very optimistic person and his attitude caused others to be optimistic as well. He instilled in his men a confidence that they would survive the battle. He also led his men from the front. They were willing to follow him because he was very influential and willing to do everything he expected his men to do.

"Escape and Evade" and "The Sergeant and the Ghost"

The battle at Albany is an excellent example of the need for strong leadership in a battlefield situation. Hal Moore drilled his men relentlessly, but nothing did could fully prepare them for the horrors that faced them at the battle at Albany. The line that read: "There had been 108 men on the fit-for-duty report the morning we left for Albany, and only eight on the duty report the day after." This line essentially sums up what happened at Albany. There are examples of having to carry pieces of men in their ponchos and American troops listening to the Vietnamese executing American wounded. It is amazing that the officers and NCOs were able to maintain command and control throughout the battle.

The actions of Lt. Rescorla were vital to the survival of his men. He had an almost impossibly positive attitude. He went from foxhole to foxhole and individually congratulated his men. He sang dirty songs and was constantly smiling to keep his men's spirits high. His air of confidence was contagious and those around him adopted his attitude. This, along with the decisive actions of the other officers and NCOs such as LT Alley and SGT Kluge kept the men motivated and, above all, alive.