After moving to Billings, Montana, things are finally looking up for the Shannon family--Frank, Eileen, and their two children--nine-year-old Jimmy Lee and seven-year-old Jodie. But when Jimmy is unjustly accused of stealing a gold medallion from his father's workplace, he runs away to the mountain wilderness. After being mistreated by his parents for years, Jimmy feels this is the best option for him.Mr. Shannon organizes a search party to look for Jimmy. After two weeks of looking, the sheriff asks a local Indian tribe for its help. The two men assigned to the task find Jimmy's tracks, and they follow them for days. At the end of the trail, they discover a large pool of blood where a fight has taken place. All signs indicate Jimmy was attacked by a wild animal, but no remains are found.Meanwhile, with Bear, a wolf pup, Jimmy struggles to survive on what he knows, encountering an array of challenging situations--foraging for food, fighting off wild animals, braving the ever-changing weather conditions, and finding makeshift shelter. Like the mountain men in the 1800s, Jimmy survives by relying on his wits and wonders every day whether he will live or die.

On May 14, 1965, four sailors took part in a mission to rescue four marines in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The mission was simple: venture into the jungle and locate the four trapped marines. But soon they were surrounded by the enemy, and the only means of escape was via the sea. Five men were wounded, and one man, John Heartly, not only fired more than two hundred rounds, but also carried a little Vietnamese girl out of the jungle and into safety.

Just after the new year of 1988, navy personnel discover a file of yellowed documents wedged between some old filing cabinets. The file holds the records of that May 14, 1965, mission. It narrates the details of the rescue and notes that all of the participants were decorated and given medals, except one-John Heartly.

Now, thirty-three years later, the US government intends to rectify the situation. But first they must verify the details and locate the rescued Vietnamese girl; only then can they give Heartly his long-overdue recognition.

On May 14, 1965, four sailors took part in a mission to rescue four marines in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The mission was simple: venture into the jungle and locate the four trapped marines. But soon they were surrounded by the enemy, and the only means of escape was via the sea. Five men were wounded, and one man, John Heartly, not only fired more than two hundred rounds, but also carried a little Vietnamese girl out of the jungle and into safety.

Just after the new year of 1988, navy personnel discover a file of yellowed documents wedged between some old filing cabinets. The file holds the records of that May 14, 1965, mission. It narrates the details of the rescue and notes that all of the participants were decorated and given medals, except one-John Heartly.

Now, thirty-three years later, the US government intends to rectify the situation. But first they must verify the details and locate the rescued Vietnamese girl; only then can they give Heartly his long-overdue recognition.

After moving to Billings, Montana, things are finally looking up for the Shannon family--Frank, Eileen, and their two children--nine-year-old Jimmy Lee and seven-year-old Jodie. But when Jimmy is unjustly accused of stealing a gold medallion from his father's workplace, he runs away to the mountain wilderness. After being mistreated by his parents for years, Jimmy feels this is the best option for him.Mr. Shannon organizes a search party to look for Jimmy. After two weeks of looking, the sheriff asks a local Indian tribe for its help. The two men assigned to the task find Jimmy's tracks, and they follow them for days. At the end of the trail, they discover a large pool of blood where a fight has taken place. All signs indicate Jimmy was attacked by a wild animal, but no remains are found.Meanwhile, with Bear, a wolf pup, Jimmy struggles to survive on what he knows, encountering an array of challenging situations--foraging for food, fighting off wild animals, braving the ever-changing weather conditions, and finding makeshift shelter. Like the mountain men in the 1800s, Jimmy survives by relying on his wits and wonders every day whether he will live or die.