The song, written in the style of a cowboy ballad, is sung from the viewpoint of a young PFC (Private first class) of the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

The two fight together through the course of a night making their way back to base, during which the PFC notices that Camouflage is unaffected by bullets and is capable of superhuman feats such as pulling palm trees out of the ground and "swatting them Charlies with it; from here to kingdom come."

On his return, the PFC is informed that Camouflage had been on his deathbed for the past week, and died the previous night; just before his death, he said "Semper Fi" and expressed his last wish, "to save a young marine".

Ridgway said, "It may sound kind of Charlie Daniels, but I certainly don't think any Vietnam veterans deserve any less respect after what they've sacrificed.

The worst part is not knowing whether a guy classy enough to name his first solo album after a film noir would slander this particular Asian war for independence.