Ebook: The Court-Martial of Corporal Nutting: A Memoir of the Vietnam War

The firsthand account of a young Marine court-martialed for marijuana use during his tour of duty in Vietnam.

Changing marijuana laws are one of the pivotal issues in the country today. As some politicians and advocates push for the drug's legalization—and work to clear marijuana convictions—the story of John Nutting will resonate with readers.

In 1966, nineteen-year-old John R. Nutting swears into the US Marine Corps and boards a plane to boot camp. All too soon he's in the jungle, a greenhorn member of F Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. During a rescue mission gone wrong, a mortar round explodes beside his team, digging shrapnel deep into his leg. Aboard the surgical hospital ship where he is sent to recover, Nutting decides to join the 3rd Marine Regimental Scout/Snipers at Camp Carroll.

After the death of two of Nutting's buddies, he finds an escape to sanity in marijuana. This begins his continuous recourse to the drug that lasts throughout his tour, done only in the bunker or when away on R&R—never in the field and never on duty. Despite his proven record, when he is caught in possession of marijuana, his arrest and the ensuing court-martial will change his life and his reputation forever.