This is the story about a single year in the life of Charles M. Stith. The story begins on New Year's Eve in January 1968 in Vung Tau, Vietnam. I had been in Vietnam for the past nine months and I received a much deserved R&R. One week later I flew to Bangkok, Thailand where I met with an old friend who was working there and knew where to eat and drink. At the end of the visit the friend told me that I needed to return that coming Christmas to have a real holiday experience. Because this visit was so thrilling I was certain the at Christmas time I was going to have the greatest time of my life. As I left Bangkok to return to Viet Nam I promised myself that I was going to return to Bangkok by Christmas. Returning to Vietnam I was greeted by the Vietcong Tet offensive and the road back to Bangkok evolved into a journey of danger, excitement, love, suspense and drama. Arriving back in Bangkok by Christmas happened unexpectedly.