and grenades and mortars filled the air as german soldiers concealed in their defensive position opened fire an the 10th mountain. the company commander called lieutenant dole and told him to continue the attack. he gave his platoon the mission to take out the german machine gun nest. lieutenant dole assembled the assault squad and positioned the rest of his men forward to provide covering fire. he was 21 years old. he and his soldiers attacked without hesitation, led by the lieutenant, lieutenant bob dole. initially crawling on their bellies through an open field, and then rushing forward up a hill toward the machine gun. as they closed in on the german position, the german fire intensified and many of the soldiers in second platoon were wounded or killed. lieutenant dole looked around