Soldier Boys

Japan. Spring 1951. Phillips, an adolescent National Guardsman and driver for Able Battery CO Captain Wylie, is caught in a power struggle between First Sergeant Radick, Wylie's boss in civilian life, and Lieutenant Briscoe, an ROTC officer. Harsh training, obsolete equipment, and mistakes--aggravated by personal hatreds--lead to accidents, fights, sexual intrigues, deaths, and a bizarre shooting incident that brings on a military inquiry in which Phillips is a key witness. Combat in Korea looms for Phillips and his teenage comrades. He is fearful but wants to be a good soldier. He's aided by Private Green, a slick draftee from New York, and Sergeant Agee, a WW II retread. Later in Korea the boys are bloodied in battle and undergo severe strains as casualties mount. Phillips receives his baptism of fire in a Chinese attack where he must kill to survive and save human decency for another time and place.Vaughn, Richard is the author of 'Soldier Boys', published 2004 under ISBN 9781413718515 and ISBN 1413718515.