Fear was the terrible secret of the battlefiled and could afflict the brave as well as the timid. Worse it was contagious, and could destroy a unit before a battle even began. Because of that, commanders were first and foremost in the fear suppression business.

David Halberstam
About This Quote

Fear is a very human emotion. We all have a fear of something. If we don't, we wouldn't be human beings. The problem with fear is that it can be very contagious, even if you don't want it to be.

Fear can destroy a unit before a battle even begins. That's why the idea of fear suppression was first and foremost in the commander's mind.

Source: The Coldest Winter: America And The Korean War

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