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other. They used smoke grenades to recover from surprise attacks and occasional sniper fire. Most importantly they operated like the ‘team’ they were— using arm and hand signals they had practiced—responding to commands instantly and willingly—they ‘did it right’!
Chapter 8
The NCO ‘Factor’
The NCO’s of the First Platoon, Echo Company were the glue that made our platoon ‘team’ work, Corporal Nelson, Corporal Ingerson, Sgt. Fontaine—our squad leaders—were like co captains of a football team and we worked together like a well oiled machine. S/Sgt. Wenger, our platoon Sgt. was a gruff, tough Marine Sgt. who set the example for these younger Marines. S/Sgt. Wenger was also the ‘conscience’ of the platoon —our Marines would confide in him and he would provide wise and sometimes tough advice such as ‘suck it up Marine’ if someone was complaining about something none of us could do anything about i.e.. the heat—the rain—the hills! Our squad leaders were the ‘disciplinary’ enforcers when necessary. Each squad leader considered himself unsatisfactory
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