From rural Appalachia to the impenetrable Jungles of Vietnam. From rural Appalachia to the impenetrable Jungles of Viet Nam.

Eric Howard started out life on the mean streets of the lower West Side of New York City, learning to be street smart. Then at the age of five Eric moved to rural Kentucky, high in the Appalachian Mountains. Eric lived here with his Grandparents, in a very small town, until after High School. It was the family homestead that had been settled by his ancestors over 200 years before. This was home till going to West Point and where Eric learned to be a true Southern Gentleman. After college Eric served in the U.S. Army as a member of the Special Forces (Green Beret). His first tour of combat was as an elite member of S.O.G. Military Assistance Command Vietnam / Studies and Observations Group (MACV/SOG) is a cover name to disguise the real function and name. Special Operations Group better describes it more accurately. Working closely with CIA, SOG carries out clandestine operations all over Southeast Asia. After 23 months in Vietnam Eric is badly wounded. Eric returns home to spend almost 16 months in an Army Hospital. After release from the Hospital Eric fights to remain in the U.S. Army and cover a bad case of PTSD. Eric becomes involved with a notorious out law biker gang. After much work Eric returns to active duty and the story goes on.

David Shaffer spent his youth in New York City, Rural Kentucky and moving around with his Military Family, riding horses, camping, learning to live off the land in the wilderness and flying Helicopters. He is trained in and teaches scuba, mountaineering, survival camping, and skydiving. After finishing his education he spent time in the U.S. Army. He now spends his time between living in Minnesota and in rural Kentucky. He has 5 children, 10 Grandchildren and one Great Grandchild.