A Terrible Beauty

I commanded American soldiers in Vietnam in 1968. I experienced the magnificence of the human spirit as my men triumphed over incredible adversity. This is a story that must be told. My men showed me that Americans are special, with a special destiny. I was transformed by our experience. By the way, I was the first captain in the US Army to ever receive the Legion of Merit.
General Douglas MacArthur once said, "Only in combat can men experience the ultimate love and camaderie of the human experience. Only in combat can mankind rise to the highest levels of spiritual glory."
I believe that my men and I achieved this in Vietnam in 1968.