Maryanna Hiester's childhood prepared her for becoming a nurse: she grew up caring for her father, a disabled World War II Veteran, and her nine younger siblings. In between her second and third year of nursing school, Hiester enlisted in the Army to prevent her younger brother from going to Vietnam. After basic training, Hiester chose to be stationed in Phu Bai. She quickly befriended all of the helicopter pilots, including her eventual boyfriend, Bob Hill. Later that year, Hill was sent on a mission to rescue two of his downed comrades. During the operation, his aircraft was shot down, and he was killed. A few days later, the pilots he had set out to save returned to base unharmed. In her conversation, Hiester speaks about her experiences as a wartime nurse, her close relationships with her fellow base members, and the adversity she has faced as a female Vietnam War Veteran.