By Roger Helle, Patriot Post - In the opening moments of the battle, the lieutenant was critically wounded along with one squad leader. The third squad leader was killed immediately, leaving me in charge of the platoon. This was not a responsibility I wanted; but somebody had to step in and direct the platoon. The battle lasted three days. The lieutenant died because we could not medivac him out of the valley. Those memories are with me forever... I don’t feel I did anything particularly courageous. I knew I couldn’t let the fear I experienced every hour paralyze me and do nothing.