Chapter 16 Summary

In their victorious military barrage in creating a cover for D Company, not one man in Caputo's division is harmed. However, a number of VC are killed. Caputo and his men feel the elation that comes from a group of men acting as one unit in a life or death situation. For Caputo that feeling is heightened by the knowledge that his orders and quick thinking cause the death of the VC.

Caputo's men spend the night on the spot where they have just fought, anxious and fearing retribution from the VC. In the early morning, they are shelled by either their own men or the enemy; they aren't sure. Still his platoon escapes unharmed.

Catching their breath from the attack, they move to Hill 92, slashing their way through six or seven hours of jungle and booby traps, to set up a patrol...