Forever Forward

Synopsis

The Story
That Must Be Told

It is 1968 and the war in Vietnam is in full swing. Protests and violence sweep the country. In California, a 21 year-old college student, James "Mac" McKenzie, is part of a group of onlookers at a protest rally. He sees a protester harass a disabled Army veteran and immediately intercedes. Later, after speaking with the veteran at a bar he decides to enlist.

Returning home for a visit he finds his parents are not thrilled with this decision although his father was a veteran of World War II. Neither is his girlfriend Susan. No one understands what this war is all about.

While at Fort Benning, McKenzie, expecting to go Airborne, is pulled out along with two other men and instructed to attend the scout dog training school. It is during this time that the three learn about the capabilities of scout dogs and their ability to detect trip wires, booby traps, and enemy personnel. The three men bond immediately and after completing training they are flown to Saigon and land at Tan Son Nhut airport in the midst of a Vietcong mortar attack.

They are brought to the 44th IPSD (Infantry Platoon Scout Dog) in Dau Tieng. On their first patrol one handler and his dog is wounded. Soon after on another patrol a handler is killed and his dog is wounded. that would require amputation of the dog’s foreleg. McKenzie at this time finds out the veterinarian is not going to amputate but will euthanize the dog instead. The vet Captain tells McKenzie the Army can't use a three-legged dog and that all dogs are considered "equipment." He also finds out at this time that the dogs will never be returned home.

McKenzie questions God on how this is possible. Another patrol is performed and it becomes evident that they are not going to win and that being there in Vietnam is a big mistake. He enlists the help of a local and they meet a man in Saigon who claims he can smuggle anything out of the country.

Before he can proceed, the base camp comes under attack by the Vietcong. During the action a satchel charge is tossed and McKenzie sacrifices himself to save the lives of three others. We later learn he is awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

In conclusion his handler friend meets with McKenzie's parents. He stresses that they can't say anything or he would wind up in Leavenworth. We then discover that indeed, Gretchen was smuggled out, and that one canine hero did return home.

"When man is in trouble, God sends him a dog." - Alphonse De Larmatine

— From the screenplay

Recognition

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& Awards

Where the screenplay has screened, competed, or earned honors.

Beverly Hills Film Festival

Beverly Hills Film Festival

26TH ANNUAL 2026

Official Selection

More laurels to be announced

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About

Michael
Lemish

Historian, author, and screenwriter — dedicated to the stories of those who served.

Michael Lemish is a military working dog and aviation historian and was for thirteen years the official historian for the Vietnam Dog Handler Association.

He has authored two books on the subject of military dogs; War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism and Forever Forward: K-9 Operations in Vietnam. His latest book is Before Pearl Harbor: China, FDR and the Plot to
Bomb Japan. His +100 magazine articles have appeared in such publications as K-9 Cop Magazine, Aviation History, Boy’s Life, Vietnam, The Atlantic Flyer, and The American Legion Magazine. He has appeared and contributed to several MWD documentaries that have appeared on the BBC, The History Channel, PBS, and the video presentation of Forgotten Heroes: The Robert Hartsock Story.

He lives in Jaffrey, New Hampshire along with his family and four dogs.

"When man is in trouble, God sends him a dog."

Bibliography

Related
Works

War Dogs

Now in trade paperback, War Dogs provides an eye-opening look at unsung canine heroes from World War I to the present. Terriers, shepherds, beagles, collies, huskies, and Dobermans are only a few of the breeds that have pulled sleds, searched caves and bunkers, and even parachuted into combat. Michael Lemish has collected true stories and rare photographs that reflect the strong bonds that have formed between war dogs and their masters as they worked together in dangerous situations. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will love this salute to these four-legged heroes.
Forever Forward

"Forever Forward" is the first in-depth account of K-9 Operations during the Vietnam War, and provides a behind the scenes look at how Allied forces employed dog teams in a variety of roles, the evolution of the United States military working dog program, and the aftermath of Vietnam. The 4,000 dogs that served with our men in Vietnam in every service branch are America's unsung heroes. American dog teams averted over 10,000 casualties and worked as scouts, sentries, trackers, mine, and tunnel detectors. They were so effective the Viet Cong even placed a bounty on them. Heroes yes, but our own government left most of them behind to an unknown fate.
Before Pearl Harbor

Before Pearl Harbor by Michael Lemish explores the hidden political and military tensions leading up to the 1941 attack. Focusing on America’s relationship with China during its war with Japan, the book reveals a secret plan between President Roosevelt and the Chinese government to bomb Tokyo in hopes of preventing a larger conflict. Rich in historical detail, it highlights influential figures of the era and uncovers a story long kept from the public.