Reviewed by Zalman Velvel (Stu)

General George Patton said, "All human endeavors pale in comparison to war." When you read this story about the Vietnam War, you will see why. You can't beat life and death situations for raising a reader's heartbeat.

This story is about the helicopter crews that dropped off, and picked up, F.O.B.'s. F.O.B. stands for Forward Observation Base. FOB's were 12 man American Special Forces teams that were inserted deep into Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Their mission was to report where enemy supplies bases were, and when enemy supplies were moving along supply routes. The F.O.B. then transmitted this intelligence back to headquarters so the B-52's, and/or the long guns, could destroy the supplies before it reached the enemy. The F.O.B. was an extremely dangerous assignment, and the helicopter crews took great risks in transporting them as well.

Characterization is excellent in this story. Plot is too. The writer chooses two strong conflicts: the external conflict of war, fighting a known enemy, and the internal conflict of assessing limits one should place on risking one's life for some plan that a Captain or General dreamed up. The conflicts are difficult, and the author resolves them well.

On the craft side, two suggestions. First, because it is a short story, the author might be better served by picking one character, and having the reader experience the story through the eyes and senses of that character. Perhaps Blocker might be chosen, since he is the one experiencing the most conflict and change. Second, there is so much fascinating information to give the reader, that it is difficult to relay all of it in a short story format.

Do not be misled by the above suggestions. With editing, this will go from a great story to a greater story, and would earn a highly recommended. Or, with expansion, it could become a novel. Perhaps it should be a novel. I would like to read more from this writer, especially a story with FOB characters while they perform a mission.

Story by © Fred Lundin

Reviewed by © Zalman Velvel

Read F.O.B. - A Tale of Viet Nam

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