Great Perspective on Our Elite Special Forces

books:


	• SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam John L. Plaster Simon & Schuster, 1997 - 368 pages average customer review:based on 104 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Great Perspective on Our Elite Special Forces - Thanks

As a close friend of one of the Covey Fac Pilots highlighted in John's book, this is a tremendously powerful accounting of the bravery and honor of these fighting men. The attention to detail and historical accuracy is greatly appreciated. John allows us to have a peek inside the ranks of SOG as if we were there with them.
An easy to read and follow book that holds your attention. I enjoyed this book and Hhighly Recommend it. A big Thanks to John for his efforts in preserving this rich and powerful history. You will learn from this book and enjoy it at the same time.
Thanks
Ray Harrison

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Thanks

Thanks, John, you did us proud in this one. Those of us that didn't come home are standing right beside you with pride in their eyes.

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A Great Book about a Great Story

I am now reading this book for the second time, having just recently discovered it. I cannot recommend this book enough. In October 1970, as a young wet-behind-the-ears 1LT, I arrived at CCC, Kontum. Within two months I was serving under CPT Bob Howard as the XO of his Recon Company. When Bob left to go to DC to recieve his Medal of Honor, I then served under CPT Jim Storter. As XO, I had the opportunity to join an RT from time to time on a mission as a "straphanger," or extra US. I identify most strongly with RT Montana, whose One-Zero was SSG Mike Sheppard, One-One was SGT Mike Bently, and One-Two was MSG Charles Behler. What an amazing group of soldiers I served with. I remember John Plaster, Fred Krupa, David Mixter, Walter Shumate, and many more. There is no exageration in this book, these soldiers performed extremely hairy recon missions in the face of unbelievable odds, again and again. What really astounded me was reading stories about guys I had served with that I did not know, they themselves did not brag about their exploits at all. Neither McCarley (of Operation Tailwind fame), nor Miller, nor Howard, nor Plaster ever bragged about one mission. They were the consumate professional soldiers who "marched to the sound of the guns." Some were new to Special Forces, like Miller, and some were ex-SF NCO "old hands" with years of SF tours under their belts, like Howard, McCarley and Storter. John Plaster has done an excellent job of giving both the "big picture" along with so many individual stories. I had no idea how comprehensive and effective (and costly in soldiers lives) the SOG mission was overall. I am recommending this book to everyone I know. Regarding the "mole" in Saigon, I have always suspected treachery in the deaths of SSG Mixter and Dai-uy (CPT) Krupa. The NVA were waiting in force when Mixter's RT and Krupa's Hatchet Force company were inserted. The NVA knew exactly when and where to expect them! Shame on the higher-ups at SOG for not withholding the teams/companies exact map grid coordinates from our ARVN "allies." This book is a literate, exciting and highly informatvie account of one of the most incredible groups of solders, ever. Well done, John!

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My Take on John Plaster's SOG

This is an excellent book, from cover to cover. John Plaster's accounts of the assignments of the code-named Studies and Observations Group (SOG) in Vietnam are drawn from personal experience and numerous interviews with other members of SOG. They are always interestingly written about and sometimes even humorous. One of the most interesting chapters is "SOG's Dark Arts," about some of the psychological warfare tactics employed by SOG. SOG experiences are professionally recounted, with respect for each man who participated. We also get "by reading between the lines" a glimpse of why the United States' Vietnam military experience was doomed from the beginning. This only heightens the respect with which we hold the men of SOG. The book also contains a nice bibliography and an index for detailed reference. I will re-read this authoritative and insightful book.

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Thank you, John Plaster...

I want to start off by saying "Thank you" to the writer, John Plaster. This book allowed me to discover the sacrifices that many people made on the behalf of all americans. I have never served in the military and it was eye openning to read about how so many lost their lives. So, I could take my daughter to the park, so I could go out with my wife to a movie & dinner and so that I could attend a church of my choosing; whenever I want. For all those who have ever served in the military, no matter if they were in special forces or a cook at a mess hall, thank you for sacrificing a part of your life so I could have the freedom that so many americans take for granted....

This book tells alot of the behind the scene actions that the U.S. Special Operations Group undertook durning the Vietnam War. My favorite part of the book was the chapter titled "Sog's Dark Arts" which covered several Phy-Ops such as "The Sacred Sword Of The Patriot League"; pretty funny stuff for a hard-as-nails special forces group. I also enjoyed reading about the exploits of brave soilders like Dick Meadows, Jerry "Mad Dog" Shriver, Fred Zabitoski and Robert Howard. These men, and many more, are unsung american heros. The bravery of the men of SOG was amazing to read about. I've read several good books on the military special forces and this is one of the best. Its books like this, that allow those of us who have never fought in a war, to understand the selfless hero's that this great country has produced. I salute you all.

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