Bing West, Critic of Afghan War, Takes Issue With Pentagon
No armchair general here: Bing West has climbed mountains in Afghanistan with American combat troops, watched rocket-propelled grenades streak over his head and come close to dying of cholera. At a lean and flinty 70, he can dodge bullets along with the 20-year-olds he accompanies on infantry foot patrols, although he admits he does it by leaving the body armor behind — an eye-popping risk — and wearing a Boston Red Sox cap instead of a helmet.
He can think of no better life.
“If I wasn’t around, he’d never come home, he’d just stay over there,” said his wife, Betsy West.
“Well, I’d come home occasionally,” Mr. West replied.