http://www.bookreporter.com/authors/au-obrien-tim.asp

The story of the Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong by Tim O’Brien is about a tale brought to Alpha company by a man named Rat Kiley. The story is about another soldier named Mark Fossie who brought his girlfriend to Vietnam to spend time with him. During the course of her stay she forms a fatal attraction to the county and the war. She learns to live like a soldier and to participate in the duties just like another one of the men. After learning all there is to know from her boyfriend Mark she ventures off to hang out with the Greenies for some new excitement. Upon spending to time with the special forces and going out on secret missions, the call of the jungle eventually entices her in and she is never seen again.

The Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong is a story about a soldier Mark Fossie who has his girlfriend flown out to Vietnam to spend time with him. during her stay she becomes enchanted by the call of the jungle. A person who once started out a innocent girl becomes one of the jungles coldest inhabitants.

I would argue that this story is about the liberation of woman. Once thought to be to soft and fragile to ever survive such a place as Vietnam seems to welcome her curiosity with open arms.