A darkly ironic and deeply human story that explores identity, survival, and the contradictions of heroism in one of America’s most complex wars.
Set against the chaos and confusion of the Vietnam War, Good merican Baby follows a reluctant American caught in circumstances far beyond his control. As the lines between enemy and ally blur, the story reveals how survival, chance, and moral ambiguity shape lives in wartime.
With sharp wit and emotional restraint, the narrative challenges traditional war stories by exposing the irony behind heroism and recognition. Good Merican Baby is a powerful reminder that history is often written through contradictions—and that courage does not always look the way we expect.
An exploration of war, identity, and moral contradiction—where personal survival collides with shifting loyalties, unexpected recognition, and the deeply human cost of history’s most complex conflicts.
Set during one of the most complex conflicts in American history, the story captures not only the chaos of war but the lingering emotional and psychological consequences it leaves behind.
Right and wrong are never clearly defined. Good American Baby explores the gray areas of wartime decision-making, where survival often outweighs ideology and choices are shaped by circumstance rather than conviction.
As the protagonist navigates unfamiliar terrain and shifting loyalties, the story examines how war strips away certainty. Identity becomes fluid, shaped by fear, chance, and the instinct to endure in a world where labels lose meaning.
Heroism arrives unexpectedly—and often undeservedly. Through dark humor and sharp irony, the book challenges traditional notions of bravery, revealing how recognition can be arbitrary and deeply contradictory in times of conflict.
I am a Florida native having grown up in Miami when it was still empty. I married a lovely Irish lass and when Miami filled up the family moved north to St Augustine because it was empty. Through the years I followed enlistments, work and assignments to Asia. First with the Marines to Japan and Okinawa, then on to Vietnam with the family, and later while on assignment with the World Bank and USAID – Indonesia and the Philippines. Stateside it was to California, New York, Washington state and Washington, DC., all the while writing poetry, film scripts, political commentaries, satire, kid books and biovignettes.
“I’m drawn to the overlooked moments of history—where ordinary people are shaped by extraordinary circumstances, and moral choices are never simple.”
author Good Merican baby
South Vietnam was divided into four military regions known as Corps Tactical Zones, each defining command structure, troop deployment, and strategic operations during the Vietnam War.
Five northernmost provinces, including Huế and Đà Nẵng. Primary frontline region bordering North Vietnam.
The Central Highlands, spanning twelve provinces. Largest corps area, dominated by rugged terrain and supply routes.
Densely populated region surrounding Saigon. Contained the capital, 90% of industry, and over one-third of the population.
Sixteen southern provinces of the Mekong Delta. Known as the nation’s rice-producing heartland.
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