[ikka]

My understanding was that it was Les Aspin who refused the heavier duty APCs - thought it would look bad PR-wise.

[Movemout]

You are probably correct. My memory is nowhere near perfect. But the gist of the point is the same. Commanders who ask for armored vehicles should be heeded. And they asked for them well in advance of the fatal raid. That PR is more important says a lot about the priorities of the Nation's top leadership at the time I think.