Major Nghu, the fanatic North Vietnamese officer from book 1, is back. This time, he's got many more soldiers under his command, and uses different tactics, which he believes are guaranteed to defeat the Marines and Popular Forces of Combined Action Platoon Tango Niner. He starts by violating the Christmas truce - at a time when the Marines have American women visiting for Christmas dinner! Defeating the North Vietnamese is the toughest job Tango Niner has faced, especially once Major Nghu and his forces begin targeting the civilian population of the hamlets of Bun Hoa village. Step by step, Major Nghu believes he is achieving his ultimate goal of defeating the Marines and PFs of Tango Niner. Step by step, the Marines and PFs find ways to counter him and his forces, until they meet in the ultimate battle for control of the Song Du Ong river valley.