Firefight on Vietnam Brown Water

Publisher: Forza Renea Editions

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction Novel

Eighteen year old Al Lupo is suddenly faced with the biggest decision of his life after he is drafted to serve in the United States military in 1965. This novel is a coming-of-age saga of Al dealing with his relationship with his father, dealing with the authority of officers, and learning to survive.

The book covers highly detailed information about what it was like in the late 1960s for a young man serving in the Navy. Al is ultimately assigned to a five-man crew on a SWIFT boat (shallow water inshore fire team). He sees war first hand as he has weapons shot at him and he shoots a gun at another human being for the first time in his life.

Al forms close friendships and is forced to take a leadership role under terror filled circumstances while in a remote jungle area in the Delta of South Vietnam.

The book is packed with exciting firefight scenes. It is emotionally draining at times, but the ending brings the story and the character full circle.

What readers say:

"This is a fictional account of Swift Boat operations in 1969-1970 based on actual crew experiences."

Tom L. Hovland, Captain, USN-Retired, PCF OinC 1969-1970

“A great book! It will leave a lasting impression on those who do not know what life was like in the combat zone. Al Lupo is a fictional character, but the history is authentic. I know because I was there as an enlisted serving on a SWIFT.”

William Douglas Kelley, Commander USN-retired, PCF crewman

“An amazing journey from high school to grown up while at war."

David Wallace, OinC, PCFs 32, 65

“I learned things about operations in the north I didn’t know. The parts of the book I was familiar with rang true to me. The book held my interest throughout.”

Wey Symmes, PCF crewman and author of War On the Rivers

Firefight puts the reader aboard a Swift boat and gives an accurate portrayal of the life of a sailor on this miniature Man O’ War.”

Raul Herrara, President, Swift Boat Sailors Association, PCF crewman