Man I'm sincerely sorry that happened to you and especially your three friends. It sounds criminal that was allowed to happen.

You said the "LTC withheld intel and sent us into a hornet's nest....with no support" because "If it worked he would have got his promotion." Even leaving aside the craven soulless callousness of that, it just sounds fucked in the head if the idea made any kind of good sense to him. Evidently the guy didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. Horrible he advanced as far in the ranks as he did.

I'm sorry again man that that happened. You and your three friends really deserved better leadership, but that can't ever take away what beautiful & brave young lion-hearted men you all were. I dunno if that sounds right but I hope you understand what I'm saying. God bless you and your friend and God keep your other two friends.