This book was transcribed from a journal that was written by Private Richard Harley McKinnon of his experiences while serving in the United States Army during World War II and how he became a broken soldier who eventually goes AWOL in Europe.

Private McKinnon, only seventeen, was chosen as a replacement by his squad leader when he saw the paratrooper wings on his jacket and when he told him he was qualified to use all extensive training in scouting and patrolling that he had.

There was a lot of gripping and bickering going on, more than you usually find among a group of American soldiers. He had never seen morale so low in his squad but was to see it sink even lower in a few days, especially his own.

Private McKinnon also reflects in the later pages on his childhood and the hardships he endured while growing up.

Private McKinnon died several years ago. The events that he witnessed and participated in are from his memory.