Chapter Five Summary and Analysis

Rowe has another painful and serious attack of fluid buildup. Soon after, they encounter another American prisoner, Tim Barker, a U.S. Army Captain, who has been held for a year and has already given up hope of being released. He is in serious condition and Rowe notes that it would have been difficult for a fully-staffed hospital to save him by the time Rowe meets him. He dies twenty-eight days later.

The schooling continues and Rowe learns that Americans are becoming more involved in the struggle, which makes him wonder what's really happening to prompt this. The next American brought to the camp is Staff Sergeant Ben Wilkes who has been in captivity for a year. He's been treated well to this point, had just arrived in Vietnam when he was captured, and is in better physical condition...