Cleland Vietnam Diary
From the Max Cleland Collection: Vietnam
DuPont Ball Library, Stetson University, Deland, Florida

March 21, 1968

Bn CO (Battalion Commanding Officer) briefed us and said we were getting a little too lethargic to suit him. He pointed out we had 250 new green troops and that good aggressive leadership was the only thing that would pull them through.

Was very sincere about how he felt a personal responsibility for each of his men saying he had their life in his hands and how he would not tolerate indifferent leadership. Glad to hear him say that. He is a good commander. He told us how we would have to prepare harder for what we would be going into.

Webmaster Notes:

Less than two weeks after LTC Richard Sweet’s briefing at LZ Jane, the 2/12th Cavalry began participating in Operation Pegasus, the relief of Khe Sanh, by Combat Assaulting into LZ Wharton on April 3, 1968.

Max Cleland joined the 2/12th Cavalry on March 9, 1968 and served as the Battalion Communications Officer until he was wounded and evacuated on April 8, 1968.