South Viet Nam: The Sourball Captain

The war that Terry D. Cordell fought in the central highlands of South Viet Nam was far different from any taught at The Citadel, from which he graduated in 1957. His troops were primitive montagnard tribesmen who dressed in loincloths, hunted with crossbows and poisoned arrows, and worshiped animist spirits who lived in trees. Yet Captain Cordell, 27, was so successful in training, arming and protecting some 100,000 montagnards that the complex of fortified villages under his command became a showplace for visiting VIPs. Often Cordell would complain that he had to spend more time squiring dignitaries than fighting...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!