Author J Richard Watkins was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school in June 1968, he enlisted in the U S Army. By that October, he was preparing for service in Vietnam. He spent a year of active duty mainly in the States. Watkins requested a combat assignment to Vietnam and spent the following year living his request. Upon his arrival in Vietnam, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded 16 Service Medals for his year in country.

Following his year in Vietnam, he was one of the lucky ones to return home and settled again in Brockton – alive and as physically complete as he had been upon departure. He became a self-employer constable for the city of Brockton until his retirement in 2001. He currently remains active in his church by acting as a Eucharistic Minister. He is also active in numerous veterans organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and ITAM.

Watkins experiences in Vietnam shaped him as a man, and ultimately, reflected throughout his life to become paramount to understanding him today.