Chapter 19, Dulce et Decorum Summary and Analysis

A new commander takes over Alpha Company. One hour after taking charge of Alpha Company, the new commander leads the men into a minefield. Disgusted with leadership that does not live up to the example of Captain Johansen, O'Brien manages to acquire a three-day pass to Chu Lai, where he looks desperately for a job in the rear. A job at a base camp in the rear is an elusive dream for a foot soldier. It is elusive because it is almost tangible, unlike going home, back to the World. O'Brien receives another letter from Erik, but this correspondence is not enough to sustain him anymore.

The tone of the narrative alters to address another issue that plagues O'Brien during his military service. This is the only chapter in which O'Brien directly addresses race relations...