James Sandoz enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966 out of a sense of patriotism and duty. After basic, infantry, and communications training, he joined the 1st ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company) and was deployed to Vietnam, where he directed naval gunfire from the backseat of an O-1 Bird Dog observation plane. He spent most of his time in Nha Trang and Tuy Hoa along the coast in II Corps. After six months, Sandoz extended his tour, took a 30-day leave, transferred to Force Recon, and moved up to Quang Tri in I Corps. He tells some poignant war stories, describes the weirdness and brutality of combat, and relates some amusing tales of various shenanigans. Sandoz recalls the beauty of Nha Trang, his “shamefully good” accommodations, the enjoyable local food, MEDCAP missions, the surrealness of Tet, a pair of flip-flops and an M1 Carbine. He also remembers the Koreans and MPs, LAWs, PCFs, a cigarette, and highly prized poncho liners. He reckons upper leadership in Force Recon was decidedly unimpressive and the booze flowed less freely than in his earlier time in Vietnam, but the camaraderie was superb.