Quote 1
"You know, I never thought much about black people before I got into the army. I don't think I was prejudiced or anything—I just didn't think much about black people."
"Well, we're here," I said. (14.67-68)
Wow. Gearhart's really not holding back. At least what he's saying is coming from a place of remorse. He feels truly guilty for accidentally setting off the flare that gave away their position and caused the death of Turner, a black man. Not the greatest cause for thinking through your values, but at least he's getting there.
Quote 2
"We'll set up here, Sergeant." Lieutenant Gearhart's voice stiffened.
"We ain't got no cover here, sir." Sergeant Simpson looked at Gearhart.
"There's cover there," Gearhart said. He pointed to a small trench along the side of the paddy. There were thin bushes next to it. Nothing that would stop a bullet. "We'll put sandbags behind the bushes."
"You gonna get some people killed over here!"
"Sergeant, I know what I'm doing." Gearhart took a step toward Simpson. "Now deploy the men." (13.50-54)
Gearhart forces his men into a visible, dangerous position just to show that he's the one in charge. Primadonna, much?