Warlord — Eric Helm

The U.S. continues to provide clandestine assistance to the anti-communist Hmong soldiers conducting direct operations against the Pathet Lao and Vietcong. Now, in a concentrated effort to disrupt enemy traffic on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the U.S. launches Operation Hard Rain.

For Special Forces Captain Mack Gerber, this large-scale, multidetachment mission is a breath of fresh air from recent CIA-sanctioned snafus. It's a chance to get back into the field to do what he does best: recruit and train local Hmong to find and finish off the enemy. Code named Thunderhead, Gerber's A-team will also conduct harassment raids and ambushes in the enemy's rear to protect the Intel-gathering forces farther down the Trail.

No artillery support. No air support. The soldiers of Thunderhead get to fight the old-fashioned way. . . alone and on foot.