First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross was an officer in the United States army during the Vietnam War. He led a platoon of infantry soldiers on patrols through the countryside on search and destroy missions. He was in charge of 17 men who looked to him for guidance and survival in the unforgiving jungle. He learned valuable lessons on life and leadership during his tour of duty.
During the early days of his 12-month tour he constantly thought of home and his girlfriend Martha. Lieutenant Cross carried letters she had written, photographs of her, and a good luck charm she had sent to him on his missions. He read her letters daily and daydreamed often of about her. One day in particular he was distracted by thoughts of
He then began to become a real leader and did not let his personal life interfere with his duties as an officer. He burned Martha’s letters and photographs and threw away her good luck charm. “No more fantasies, he told himself. Henceforth, when he thought about Martha, it would be only to think she belonged elsewhere” (161). He took the blame for Lavender’s death and insisted on field discipline requiring his platoon keep their weapons clean and practice security measures during missions. He told his men “ they would get their shit together, and keep it together, and maintain it neatly and in good working order” (162).
Martha and a member of his platoon was shot and killed by an enemy sniper. This event was a catalyst, which changed his life for
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