Colonel Ralph M. Mitchell wrote this special study while he was a student at the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he received a master's degree in history from Rice University, Houston, Texas. He also had a tour of duty as an instructor and assistant professor of military history at West Point. A field artilleryman, he has had numerous command and staff assignments including command of the 1st Battalion, 11th Field Artillery. His combat service has included one tour in the Dominican Republic and two tours in Vietnam. In July 1984, Mitchell became Director, Strategic Military Studies, Department of Corresponding Studies, United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
