Chapter 14 Summary and Analysis

The Screaming Eagles 1st Brigade arrives in Vietnam in July 1965. They are welcomed by General Westmoreland and Ambassador Maxwell D. Taylor when they arrive at Cam Ranh Bay. Hackworth arrives earlier to prepare for the arrival of the unit. The first thing he learns is that there are no safe areas in Vietnam.

The unit left Cam Ranh Bay in August and spent the next six months traveling to the hot spots in Vietnam. The first major engagement with the enemy was Operation Gibraltar. The unit performed well but was very lucky. Six months later, when they captured a prisoner, they learned that their plans had been known in advance by the Viet Cong. Westmoreland claimed the operation was a huge success. Hackworth viewed it as a learning experience. The enemy had the area booby trapped and this resulted in many...