Chapter 14 Summary

As autumn moves in, the VC attacks continue to increase as does the wars casualties and damage to American aircraft. The war is turning uglier on both sides. Prisoners are taken, brutally tortured and executed as a means to deal with the raging emotions field soldiers constantly face. Fear and complete disregard for the "rules of engagement" reigns supreme among the men.

In November, Caputo's repeated requests to transfer to line duty are finally granted. He moves to C Company's base camp and begins rotations on perimeter defenses with his new platoon. Within twenty-four hours, he is rethinking his decision to reenlist on the line. He sticks it out however, and after a month of nightly VC attacks, sniper fire and monsoon rain, Caputo is granted his first R&R in nine months.

For three days in Saigon, Caputo begins to live normal...