"Thirty men...were cut off by a German counter-attack. Three, including the original platoon leader, Lieut. Travers and Sgt. Casey, went back for help but were unable to return."
This doesn't sound right to me, although I admit the possibility of extenuating circumstances. Generally, though, shouldn't the platoon leader stay and lead and send someone else for help?
If I were their CO, I would have questions for those soldiers.