Chapter 22, Courage is a Certain Kind of Preserving Summary and Analysis

Major Callicles is the battalion executive officer O'Brien works for as a typist. The Major is a professional soldier who thrives on discipline. A large barrel-chested man, the Major despises long hair, facial hair, drugs, excessive drinking, and prostitution. He wages a personal crusade against liberalism infecting the US military. Several months after Major Callicles takes charge of the battalion, news of the previous year's My Lai massacre breaks. Journalists flood the base camp LZ Gator. The major is consumed by the My Lai scandal. It is an event that he cannot accept. In his world-view, the US military is too honorable to commit such a crime. The stress breaks down Major Callicles; it shows in the bursting blood vessels on his face and perpetually blood shot...