Conflict-desert-storm -

The heat in the Kuwaiti desert wasn't just a physical weight; it was a living thing that pressed against Sgt. John Bradley’s lungs as he adjusted his gear. He looked at the three men around him—Foley, the calm sniper who had nearly been lost in an Iraqi prison; Connors, the heavy weapons specialist currently checking the belt on his M60; and Jones, the squad’s engineer and medic, who was busy double-checking their C4 charges.

Foley didn't say much. He just shouldered his rifle and moved toward a high ridge. A few moments later, his voice came through: "I’ve got eyes on the site. Two tanks guarding the perimeter. Guard patrols are tight."

The air filled with the chaotic symphony of war: the sharp crack of Foley’s sniper rifle, the heavy chatter of the machine gun, and the desperate shouts of Iraqi soldiers scrambling to their posts. Bradley didn't panic. He focused on Jones, who was rapidly wiring the detonator. "Done! Move out!" Jones yelled.