Some parts I liked. Some, I was incredulous. (Just to set you
straight, I cheered when he ordered the return fire - to the
consternation of fellow moviegoers).

Maj Biggs a hero?!? Hardly. More than willing to turn a blind eye to
the gov't cover up in order to further his career. As a prosecuter it
is your duty to investigate all facts of the case.

1st, when the CO landed at the embassy, he wouldn't have had to go
looking for the ambassador - one of the Marine Security Guards at the
embassy would have escorted him to the ambassador.

2nd, the CO wouldn't have gone after the flag himself, he'd have sent a
detail (but, I think this is excusable for action in the story line).

3rd, by the standard rules of engagement, once one of my men had TAKEN
fire, much less been hit, I'd have ordered return fire. Hell, once the
helos took fire, it was a hot LZ.

4th, the fact that a government flack (cabinet secretary, no less) just
loses his cool and makes a rash decision to hang out the people at the
scene, just made me gag. I'm still sick to know that it still (really)
occurs.

5th, no Marine Security Guards testifying at the trial. What the hell?

6th, complete Article 32 investigatin, my ass. Where was the forensic
evidence? How about the physical evidence of the angle of the shots
into the embassy facade - surely that would have shown fire from the
ground/crowd.

7th, Dale Dye's Division Commander role should have fell on his sword to
defend his subordinate. That he didn't shows the Div CO wasn't worthy
of his two stars. Unfortunately, this is all to common today, even in
the USMC.

Finding the NVA officer wouldn't be that big a deal. The US actually
has several military teams operating in Vietnam now on MIA discovery.
Getting him to testify, THAT's the big deal.

Jason Hart wrote:

> I must say that the first impression I had of the movie was that it
> was very irrisponsible. The only one worth rooting for was Maj.
> Biggs. Maybe someone who has been shot at can give me some guidance,
> but I thought that the actions of everyone involved showed the Marine
> Corp in a very poor light.
>
> Dale's Div Cdr was bullied.
>
> CDR 24th MEU "special ops capable" didn't clean up his mess, ie
> confiscate weapons etc.
>
> And how in the heck did they find a guy from VN last seen 30 years ago
>
> (and not even so much as searched for ID) in a week?
>
> I am amazed that the DOD cooperated with them.
>
> Could have been a good story. They picked the wrong guy to help with
> it....should have been you John.
>
> Jason Hart
>
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