A Matter of Semantics

No one ever died under Lieutenant Bill Brandt's command, however he found himself fighting more than just the enemy. Orders from an ambitious battalion commander and company commander place his men in jeopardy. Each tactical situation grows increasingly grave. When duty and loyalty clash, Brandt creates his own Rules of Engagement, forcing him to make moral and ethical choices. His decisions take him down a path that leads to conflict with the very reasons he volunteered to go to Vietnam. Brandt must choose between career or integrity, allegiance or defiance, and ultimately life or death. Will he disobey a direct order in combat? Read on to learn how this soldier resolves his dilemma.

No one ever died under Lieutenant Bill Brandt's command, however he found himself fighting more than just the enemy. Orders from an ambitious battalion commander and company commander place his men in jeopardy. Each tactical situation grows increasingly grave. When duty and loyalty clash, Brandt creates his own Rules of Engagement, forcing him to make moral and ethical choices. His decisions take him down a path that leads to conflict with the very reasons he volunteered to go to Vietnam. Brandt must choose between career or integrity, allegiance or defiance, and ultimately life or death. Will he disobey a direct order in combat? Read on to learn how this soldier resolves his dilemma.

Frank Linik, an Army Airborne Ranger, arrived in Vietnam soon after the Tet Offensive in 1968. He served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Central Highlands as a rifle platoon leader and personnel officer. After Vietnam, Linik served in Germany in the 8th Infantry division as a company commander. His combat decorations include the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. Linik's work has appeared in Innsifree, Viet Now, and California Flyfisher. A chapter in this book appeared in the literary journal, Innisfree, as a short story. Frank is a retired educator and resides in Oregon with his wife where he divides his time between writing, fly fishing, photography and cooking, not necessarily in that order.