One afternoon around 2 PM, my first sergeant (Top) walked into my office and said, "Sir, we have a problem." He informed me that 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, "What are our NCOs doing about it?" Top said, "We have done all that we can, but the problem appears to be getting worse." Top continued, saying, "I am scared that this could blow the company wide open."  - Note:  The fight was between a U. S. Soldier and a Republic of Korea soldier - a potential International incident.

Let me put things into perspective so that you can understand Top's concerns!

My company's makeup was as follows:

U.S. soldiers—approximately 40 to 50 men and women— Republic of Korean (KATUSA) soldiers—approximately 90 to 100. The problem was that all my unit personnel, Americans and Koreans, cared about the outcome of this fight.  

One of the combatants was a Black soldier, and the other was a Korean soldier-an international incident in the making.

I instructed Top to bring both soldiers into my office along with their platoon or section sergeants. Clearly, this was a very sensitive matter.  

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. I told them I would listen to both sieds of this situation and would make a decision immediately after hearing what they had to say.  Before I began my interview with them, I asked both of them if they trusted me and felt I would be fair.  I had been the commander of that company for several months and I was sure that I had earned the trust of both my Korean Soldiers and my U. S. Soldiers.  They both nodded in agreement.  

However, I noticed a slight smile out of the corner of the Black soldier's lips. You see, I was also a Black Captain.  

The Korean soldier showed some concern. I didn't always speak Korean to my Korean soldiers, but they all had some idea that I spoke a fair amount of Korea  

During my interview with the Korean soldier, I spoke in Korean and then explained what I had said to the American soldier.  I reversed this process throughout this situation.  

This situation was clearly something that I needed to handle wisely.  Because I felt I had already gained significant confidence within the ranks of both the Korean and the U.S. soldiers, I asked both soldiers if they believed I would be as fair and honorable as possible and, if I made a mistake, whether they would accept my final decision.  

They both agreed.  I asked this question several times and even asked if they were willing to shake hands on whatever decision I made and then move on! 

Again and again, they both agreed.  I got them to shake hands several times in agreement to my final decision.  This almost became a joke for both of them.

My next statement was as follows:
OK, GUYS!  Since it is already clear that you've resolved your situation by agreeing to accept anything I say, why do I need to say anything?  

They both looked at me (as did my 1SG and both of their respective platoon sergeants), and smiled.  I smiled at the two soldiers and said, "Get your asses out of my office and get back to work!"  

After they left, my first sergeant (1SG) looked at me and asked, "Sir, what the hell just happened?" I laughed!  He left my office, and as he went out, I asked him 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, both American and Korean soldiers; please also give me the strength, the wisdom, and the courage to always to be as honorable as possible and always lead with the best of intentions - Aman!

Several weeks later, I ordered that all barracks (living quataters), be consolidated (meaning Korean and American soldiers would hereafter 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 (I was in command 32 months straight), and the last unit (21 T-Car) had already been scheduled to provide transportation (Taxi Support) to U.S. President Jimmy Carter during his visit to Korea in 1979!

PS:  I was a bit sad about this move because one of my best friends, another captain, was removed from his command so that they could move me into that position. 

PPS:  I believe this situation and that prayer has lead me to becoming closer to my best self than anything else I learned after leaving home.  

Note!  I seldom concerned myself whith who did what.  My concern has always been, "How can and should we move forward from here."