Just War

Just War follows the experiences of Tom Newman, a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division in Viet Nam in 1968, the bloodiest year of the war. Tom was assigned to the 1/502nd, known as "First Strike." First Strike was the modern day equivalent of the Cavalry. Tom participated in seventy-six helicopter insertions, fifty-four of which were into hot LZs. In 1968 First Strike sustained 97 percent casualties and fatalities.
Newman's combat experiences ran from the Tet Offensive to the A Shau Valley. The 'Valley' was defended vehemently by the communists; as a result it was the site of many fierce battles. Being a combat veteran of the Valley became a mark of distinction for troops on either side. There were twenty-six times, that Tom is aware of, that he should have been killed or at least severely wounded and one time when he actually did die. Tom was resuscitated however, not before his spirit and soul left his body and he was able to watch, and later recount, the efforts to revive him.