Harsh Lesson

Into the hot hills of the Desert Training Center (TIME, July 19) slogged a platoon on its six-day endurance maneuver --39 men and a lieutenant. Last week 36 came back, reported three dead, one missing. During the first night out they missed a rendezvous with the water truck. The next day a heat wave swept over the already scorched land, the temperature climbed to 139DEG.

The lieutenant called a halt, ordered the platoon to stay where it was while he went off for water. He was back in a matter of hours with water and help. But while he was away, four men had gone off on their own search for water. Three bodies were found. One is still missing.

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