September 11: The Rough Humor of Soldiers Summary and Analysis

It was his last night in My Tho. The battalion officers were giving him a send-off party. Major Chou had a young woman he claimed was his niece at the party. The girl, Miss Be, served the men drinks. Miss Be whispered to her uncle that Captain Kale was handsome and that she wanted to dance with him. Soon the two were swaying and holding each other tight to the tune of Brenda Lee's, "I'm sorry." Kale was married and had told Wolff he wanted to stay true to his wife—but it looked like he was changing his mind. Major Chou led them to a back room so they'd have more room.

Major Chou toasted Wolff and paid tribute to his skill as a leader and his courage. The...