Step into the gritty, pulse-pounding streets of 1960s Saigon, where the Saigon Commandos series by Jonathan Cain brings the chaos of the Vietnam War to life! This thrilling collection of twelve action-packed novels follows the 716th Military Police Battalion as they battle crime, corruption, and danger in a city teeming with intrigue. With a cult following and a Hollywood film adaptation, Saigon Commandos offers a raw, authentic dive into military fiction that’s hard to put down.
Written by Vietnam veteran Nicholas Cain under the pen name Jonathan Cain, this series blends high-octane adventure with the gritty realism of a police procedural. It’s a unique snapshot of a war-torn city, perfect for fans of action, history, or just a darn good story!
How Saigon Commandos Began
Jonathan Cain, a pseudonym for Nicholas Cain, drew from his own experiences as a Vietnam War volunteer and military policeman to create Saigon Commandos. After his service, Cain worked in law enforcement and later as a private investigator, giving him a wealth of real-world grit to infuse into his writing. In 1983, Zebra Books published the first novel, Saigon Commandos, after Cain fictionalized his non-fiction manuscript, Saigon Alley, to meet the publisher’s demand for more action and intensity. The result? A series that one critic dubbed the 'Hill Street Blues of Vietnam,' blending military drama with cop-show vibes.
Cain’s time with the 716th MP Battalion in Saigon from 1972 to 1973 heavily influenced the series, though he set the stories in 1967 to capture the war’s chaotic peak. His insider perspective and knack for storytelling turned Saigon Commandos into a cult classic.
The Heart of Saigon Commandos
The series kicks off with Saigon Commandos (1983), where ex-Green Beret Sergeant Mark Stryker leads the 716th MPs in tackling murderers, deserters, and Viet Cong sympathizers amid Saigon’s volatile streets. Code Zero Shots Fired (1983), the second book, ramps up the stakes as Stryker’s team uncovers a drug-related murder spree. Dinky Dau Death (1984) dives deeper into the city’s underbelly, with the MPs chasing a psychotic killer. The Tet trilogy, starting with Torturers of Tet (1986), is a standout, using real MP radio transcripts to depict the 1968 Tet Offensive’s brutal street battles.
Saigon Commandos blends action-adventure with police procedural elements, set against the vivid backdrop of 1960s Saigon—a city of bustling markets, neon-lit bars, and hidden dangers. Themes of duty, courage, and moral ambiguity shine through, as the MPs navigate a war zone where allies and enemies blur. Cain’s gritty style, laced with dark humor and vivid characters, keeps readers hooked, while his use of real military details adds authenticity that sets the series apart.
From chasing snipers to battling crime lords, each book delivers a relentless pace, with violence and intrigue every few pages. Yet, the series also humanizes its characters, like Stryker and Private Nick Uhernik, who face personal struggles amid the chaos, making their victories feel earned.
Why Saigon Commandos Resonates
Saigon Commandos left a mark on military fiction, offering a fresh take by focusing on military police rather than frontline soldiers. Its blend of action and procedural drama appealed to fans of both war stories and crime novels, earning praise for its authenticity and intensity. The series’ 1988 film adaptation, based on the ninth book, Mad Minute, brought Saigon Commandos to the big screen, cementing its cult status despite being a direct-to-video release in the U.S. Directed by Clark Henderson, it captured the series’ raw energy, even if it didn’t achieve blockbuster fame.
Today, Saigon Commandos remains a hidden gem for readers craving immersive, character-driven war stories. Its vivid portrayal of Saigon’s chaos and Cain’s knack for blending fact with fiction keep it relevant, especially for history buffs and action fans seeking something beyond typical war narratives.
- First Published: 1983
- Number of Books: 12
- Film Adaptation: 1988, based on Mad Minute
- Publisher: Zebra Books
Ready to dive into the wild streets of 1960s Saigon? Grab Saigon Commandos and join the 716th MPs for an action-packed ride through one of the most thrilling military fiction series ever written!