Chapters 7 and 8 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 7, p. 84—Richard's unit is set up along the Bassac River. They work with a Patrol Boat River (PBR) unit to stop Vietcong re-supply efforts. Richard is introduced to his commanding officer, who turns out to be an old friend, B.B. Witham. The base is made of concrete buildings and is fairly comfortable. Richard meets a PBR ship commander and gets into the usual cursing banter he likes with the commander. Richard finds out that the Vietcong watch when the PBR patrol goes by on the river and then go out with their re-supply boats. The next night Richard and his men go out on a PBR boat to Juliet Crossing, a place where the Vietcong have been seen. Richard's boat is shot at and he directs heavy fire for a couple of hours at an island...