One afternoon around 2 PM my first Sargent, (Top Soldier) walked into. my office and said, "Sir, we have a problem." He informed two of our soldiers had been in a fight!  I responded, "So what, that's what soldiers do."  Top responded, "Not like this, sir."  I then asked Top, "What are our NCO's doing about it."  Top then said, "We all have done all that we can but the problem appears to be getting worst." Top continued, he said, "I am scared that this could blow the company wide open."  

Let me put things into prospective so that you can under Top's concerns!  The make op of my company was as follows:

U. S. Soldiers - Approximately 40 to 50 men and women.  Korean (KATUSA) Soldiers - approximately 90 TO 100.  The problem was that all of my unit personal, Americans and Koreans were interested in the outcome of this fight and what would be the final outcome.  One of the combatants was a Black soldier and the other was a Korean soldier.  

I instructed Top to bring both soldiers into my office along with their platoon or section Sargents.  Clearly this was a very sensitive matter.  Such matters can and often turns into an International incident!  The ice was thin and I had to figure out how to walk across it without getting my boots wet.

I began by introducing myself and then I told them that I will resolve the issue between them but before I get into that I asked them if they trusted me and felt that I would be fair.  They both nodded in agreement.  However, I detected somewhat of a smile in the corner of the black soldiers lips.  You see, I was also a Black Captain.  The Korean soldier showed a bit of concern.  I did not always speak Korean to my Korean soldiers and so most of them was not aware of my Korean speaking abilities.  During my interview with the Korean Soldier I spoke in Korean and then explained what I has said to the American soldier.  I reversed this process throughout this situation.   

These concerns was clearly the area that I needed to handle wisely.  I asked both soldier if they believed that I would be as honorable as I possible and if I made a mistake would they  except my final decision.  They both agreed.  I asked this question of them several times and even asked them if they were willing to shake hands on whatever decision I made and then move on!  Again they both agreed.  I got them to shake several time in agreement to my final decision.  

My next statement was as follows:

OK, guys!  As it is already clear that your situation have already been resolved by your agreement to except anything I say, why is it necessary for me to decide on anything!  They both look at me, (as did Top and both of their platoon Sargents) and began to smile.  I smiled, and said, "Get your asses out of my office and get back to work!" 

After their departure, my first Sargent look at me and asked, "Sir, what the hell just happened?" I laughed!  Top left my office and as he went out I asked hime to close my door!

It was at that moment that I said the following prayer:  "Dear God, you have given me great power over the lives of all of these soldiers, American and Korea soldiers, please also give me the strength, wisdom and the courage to always be as honorable as possible and always lead with the best of intentions.

Several weeks I ordered that all barracks be consolidated, (meaning that Korean and American soldiers would here after live in the same living quarters.  This was a First in The Republic of Korea!  

How well did this work!  I was selected to command two more companies while in Korea, (36 months straight) and the last one was by direct order!