Private First Class Reginald Edwards

Reginald is better known as Malik. He comes from a poor family but he is the first in his family to finish high school. At the age of seventeen Malik joins the Marines because he is too small to be a worker and the Marines promise to make him a man. Because of his age Malik's mother must help him enlist. Malik is a tough kid who likes to mouth off and he is often in trouble. He mouths off to his drill instructor and gets into fights with other Marines. Malik's behavior earns him a permanent position as point man. He learns to enjoy the post because he is always out in front and can see the enemy coming.

When Malik arrives in Vietnam he is naive, scared and confused. After his first time killing a man at close range he feels guilty...