This nonfiction work follows the life of Marine Corps Captain Bud Hamilton, while he serves a thirteen-month tour of duty in Vietnam. His lively experiences and observations are conveyed through excerpts from his personal journal and selections from the letters written by Bud and his wife, Marilyn.
Using this method of exposition, we follow the evolution of Bud's view of the situation in Vietnam during the critical period of May 1967 through May 1968. Newspaper headlines help frame world events occurring during these troubled times. The journal entries portray Bud's public persona and provide insight into his shifting assessment of the war effort from the perspective of an officer in a support role for a unit stationed near DaNang. Bud's conclusions sometimes contrast with the intimate correspondence that he and Marilyn trade. Their letters reveal the true feelings and misgivings that they share concerning the political decisions and public protests in the United States.
In both his journal and in his letters, Bud is quick to describe the humorous and bizarre events that take place in a military unit serving Vietnam in the rear with the gear.