Jake Dawson grew up in northern Wisconsin with two passions: wrestling, and the Green Berets. His pursuit of the first got him a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, where he became an All-American. But his pursuit of the second led him to leave school after two years to join the U.S. Army. His ultimate goal: become a Special Forces soldier like his grandfather Dennis, who was killed in action in Vietnam just months before the American withdrawal. Early in his career, Jake receives a gift: the diary written by his ancestor Charles, who fought with the Rough Riders under Theodore Roosevelt in 1898. Nearly every Dawson man since then has answered his country's call and their inspiring letters are in the diary. Now it's Jake's turn. But on his long trek to the Green Beret, with the weight of his family legacy growing, Jake's valor on the battlefield can't overcome the tragedies of comrades lost and the bitter taste of enemies escaping justice. Finally, with his goal of being a Special Forces combat leader in sight, Jake faces his greatest challenge yet, and he'll need his Rough Rider ancestor's help to meet it.