Civilians are often used as human shields by the americans. They can be killed in cross fire, or trapped in caves with military people. The worst is when they try to rush American lines at night and die there. In patrick o'donnell's book into the rising sun he interviews a bunch of marine veterans who talk about these incidents that they remember. And you can just see how the killing of civilians can sometimes get through the psychological defences that these soldiers have.
When do spirit, tenacity, resilience and bravery cross into madness? When cities are incinerated? When suicide attacks become the norm? When atomic weapons are used? Japan's leaders test the limits of national endurance in the war's last year.