War Journal Entry February 23, 1991

Yesterday Cooke died by a hand grenade. It was an eye opener for a lot of people. The boom sounded and I ran down to see Cooke in pieces, his face black from powder bun, arms blown off, leg hanging by its pants--it was a site that is and will be in my memory forever. The CH-46 medivac helicopter was there within minutes but there was nothing anyone could do. Its a day later and life goes on although is hasn't been brought up at all today--I guess the war is upon us!

I was really confused as to the purpose of the Marine Corps Officer in combat--due to their lack of ability to command. However, one of their jobs is to write the letter home. I feel the lack of friendship and comaradare the enlisted share, they can never really be close to their enlisted counterparts, enables them not to be as overcome when something like this happens--and for them, live goes on.

Not much more I can say, tomorrow is the breach (Sig. ground invasion into Kuwait) and we shall see what happens, talk to you soon.