The FNG: A Prequel to the Iron Triangle

This is a prequel to my first novel, 'The Iron Triangle'. In reading my reviews, I realized many readers wanted the origin story of Sergeant Holt. In this book, The FNG, we follow a young, eighteen year old, Donald Holt from his enlistment in January, 1967 through Basic Training, Advanced Infantry Training to his subsequent deployment to Vietnam. It graphically shows his introduction to the horrors of jungle warfare in War Zone C leading up to the Tet Offensive and beyond. Holt's war began in June, 1967 through June, 1968. 1968 was the worst year for combat deaths. Over fifteen thousand died in combat in 1968 alone.

As with my other books, The FNG is meticulously researched. I show the grueling, daily existence lead by a common infantryman detailing everything from the food they ate to the emotions they shared. I put the reader into the jungle with these men, to experience things the average person couldn't even imagine. These young men, our sons, brothers and fathers were thrust into a war with no clear defined goals other than to survive their one year deployment. They fought and died in a country that many couldn't even find on a map. They fought at a time when half the country called them 'baby killers' and demonstrated against them. They returned to the 'World' unwanted and unappreciated. They didn't return home to accolades and parades. They returned to a country that reviled and hated them.

Many Vietnam Veterans have never discussed their war. No one wanted to hear their stories. No one cared. It has only been recently that they have begun to receive some appreciation. Whenever I hear someone my age say, 'Thanks for your service' I always wonder, were you one of those people that demonstrated against us?

When we returned home, PTSD was unknown. We were told to 'suck it up' and get on with our lives. We were left to suffer in silence. And we suffer still. The effects of Agent Orange has killed more than three hundred thousand Vietnam Veterans. That is almost six times as many as were killed in the war. Veteran suicide remains at almost twenty soldiers a day and goes largely unnoticed.

The Vietnam Veteran was the best America had. I hope, through this book, you gain a measure of appreciation of what they endured.