History books and novels are filled with stories of young men and women going off to war.

In each, the experiences and challenges are as varied as the people themselves. The stories tell of leaders and followers, cowards and heroes. In Wheres Charlie? author Tim Soyars narrates his own story of how he came of age while serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War.

In this memoir, Soyars tells how his personality, background, and attitude contributed to his will to succeed and his desire to be involved in the Vietnam War. As a boy, he always knew he’d serve his country. With both humor and sincerity, Soyars narrates his story—his birth in Virginia in 1945, his induction into the army in 1965, his marriage in 1966, and his one-year service in Vietnam with the First Cavalry from March of 1967 to 1968.

Including photos of the period, Wheres Charlie? conveys not only the sadness and heroics often associated with war, but also shares stories of warmth, compassion, and romance. It provides a glimpse into the horror of battle and offers insight into one soldier's actions and thoughts during this unique time in history.