Chapters 12 and 13 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 12, p. 159—Much of Chau Doc is overrun by the VC Tet offensive. Richard coordinates with the Chinese Nung forces of Drew and Westy, and defies the orders of the scared local commander. Drew picks up Richard and much of the platoon in a jeep and the platoon soon is involved in house-to-house fighting. The men rescue 3 trapped female American nurses. Richard, Hoss and other men are careful to take cover when running between houses, but Risher runs openly in the street. He is shot in the head by a sniper and soon dies. Richard is very angry at Risher for being the first man of the platoon to be killed. Richard becomes tougher in his interrogation of VC prisoners and his willingness to kill civilians suspected of being VC. Richard is angry at the Vietnamese, both friendly...