The purpose of this novel is to take the reader back to Vietnam, 1968/69. There are three main characters in the book: Doc Bear is a reluctant warrior plucked from the peaceful hills of the Ozarks and trained to save the lives of a platoon of Marines in the jungles and rice paddies of the An Hoa Basin. Sgt. Vince Rios is a no-nonsense Platoon Sergeant on his second tour who became my dear friend, mentor and who remains my hero.The third character is Lauren Alvin Stuckenschmidt, perhaps the best point man who ever led his Platoon through the elephant grass of Go Noi Island - a true friend as well.Based on fact and enhanced with fiction for the readers' entertainment, it will emote laughter, tears, love and concern about this group of young Marines and Corpsmen - and a bond that can only develop during a fire fight or ambush. The novel transports you to the reality of Vietnam, 1968-69, where you may awake in the middle of the night waiting for a human wave attack. For these 46 chapters, Welcome to the REAL Vietnam!

Based on the author's own experiences, and enhanced with fiction, this novel takes readers back to Vietnam during 1968-69.