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Lt. Pace's Leadership Style

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Over Homecoming Weekend I was given the honor and privilege to speak and listen to some of America’s greatest heroes. Distinguished servicemen and women from many of our wars, whom risk their own lives, took the time to discuss their experiences and what they learned translated into a very enlightening and imparted on me a perspective of leadership which many do not ponder. Although all the prominent members of the panels and discussion instilled in me a portrait of what it means to embody a good leader, General Peter Pace USMC retired, illustrated and exemplified everything a good officer and leader should. General Pace retired with over 40 years of service in the Marine Corps. Likewise, among his many other accolades he was the first Marine …show more content…

Furthermore, my synopsis of his story and the events that transpired does his story no justice. While on patrol as a platoon commander in Vietnam, 2d Lt. Pace was conducting a probing mission with his company that followed him hundreds of meters behind. Meanwhile, whenever the platoon met an obstacle or hindrance, 2d Lt. Pace stated he would stop and call his company commander for guidance. Eventually, 2d Lt. Pace’s commander, clarified in less than articulate terms that he is in his position to make decisions for a reason. Consequently, several patrols later when a sniper bullet struck a fellow Marine and killed him, 2d Lt. Pace and his platoon tracked the sniper back to a village. Instantly enraged, Pace ordered an artillery strike on the village; however, it was at this moment 2d Lt. Pace looked at his platoon sergeant whom had an expression of disillusionment and dismay. Forthwith, it was at this moment the young Lieutenant noticed how ethically wrong he was and called off the strike. Shortly following his decision, he and his platoon marched through the village only discovering woman and children. Consequently, after securing the village, 2d Lt. Pace spoke with his platoon and apologized for his mistake and promised each of his men they would never have to live

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