Six Years,
Nine Months,
23 Days
A deeply personal Vietnam War memoir of service, survival, and the extraordinary life of an ordinary soldier.
100% of proceeds go to The Helm Foundation
More Than a War Story…
Six Years, Nine Months, 23 Days is a powerful reflection on resilience, patriotism, and the shared experiences of soldiers across generations and across the world.
Taking readers beyond the propaganda-filled headlines of the Vietnam War, the book offers an unfiltered look into the daily realities faced by American servicemen.
Through vivid storytelling and raw honesty, Marc recounts his journey as a U.S. Army codebreaker, from unexpected orders and near-death encounters to the emotional toll of combat. Yet even amid the darkness, moments of love, humanity, and humor emerge, revealing the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Each Book Supports a Veteran
100% of proceeds go to The Helm Foundation, which proudly supports and recognizes organizations dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families, including:
The American Legion
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The Vietnam Memorial Fund
The Helm Foundation also values partnerships with organizations working to expand access to mental health care, rehabilitation resources, and long-term support for veterans nationwide.
Behind every soldier’s service is a story most people never hear.
Through vivid recollections and raw honesty, H. Marc Helm offers a deeply personal account of serving as a U.S. Army codebreaker near the northernmost bases of South Vietnam and along the volatile DMZ.
Moving beyond headlines and Hollywood portrayals, his story reveals the realities of war through the lens of service, sacrifice, resilience, and humanity. With powerful detail and emotional depth, Helm captures both the intensity of combat and the enduring spirit of those who lived through it.
A Military History and Vietnam Journey
Six Years, Nine Months, 23 Days
In Six Years, Nine Months, 23 Days, H. Marc Helm takes readers deep into his military journey through vivid recollections, raw honesty, and an unfiltered look at what service meant during one of America’s most controversial wars.
Through Marc’s story, readers will experience:
A young man from North Carolina coming of age in the U.S. Army
Life near the northernmost bases of South Vietnam and along the volatile DMZ
The pressure, precision, and secrecy of serving as a military codebreaker
Unexpected orders, near-death encounters, and the daily uncertainty of war
Fleeting moments of love, humor, and humanity amid the darkness
A powerful reflection on resilience, patriotism, service, and sacrifice
More than a traditional war memoir, this book tells the extraordinary story of an ordinary soldier navigating the harsh realities of war while holding onto hope, purpose, and humanity in some of life’s most difficult moments.
100% of proceeds go to The Helm Foundation
Readers Are Talking
Great Book!
Helm does a phenomenal job displaying the realities of combat! I was captivated from beginning to the end.
David
You Need this Book! A Game Changer!
I felt like I stepped into history through the eyes of someone who truly lived it. What stood out most was the balance between the harsh realities of war, the meaningful relationships formed along the way, and the unexpected humor that brought moments of lightness in difficult circumstances. Marc tells his story with honesty and heart, creating a memoir that is informative, deeply human, and unforgettable.
Marissa
Meet the Author
Marc Helm
Marc Helm is an entrepreneur, veteran, author, and philanthropist with more than 48 years of leadership and management experience. His perspective on leadership and resilience has been shaped by his service as a U.S. Army codebreaker during the Vietnam War, where he served near the northernmost bases of South Vietnam and along the volatile DMZ.
In addition to his military service and entrepreneurial success, Marc is the founder of The Helm Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities and removing barriers to opportunity.
Marc is also the author of the business leadership books Preparing for Greatness, Pursuit of Excellence, and Plan to Manage, as well as the beloved children’s book series Papa’s Adventures.
Through his writing and philanthropic work, Marc shares the lessons and experiences that shaped his journey, encouraging others to lead with purpose, resilience, and compassion.