Two hundred years ago, a 30-man US Army party-the "Corps of Discovery"-ascended the Missouri River and conducted the most extensive exploration yet attempted of the North American continent's interior. Their accomplishments in the two-year journey were remarkable, and bear testimony to the leadership acumen of Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The results were also a testament to the courage and fortitude of the soldiers they led. No successful operation, however, occurs in a vacuum. Detailed planning and preparation are often key elements in the eventual overall conclusion. In...