Duty Honor Sacrifice Review

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(More customer reviews)In the interest of fairness, both my wife Bac and I are acknowledged in this book. Also as Ralph points out, Bac and I mostly live in Viet Nam these days.
Ralph does something that is both interesting and difficult. He gives a very fair and balanced view of the history of Viet Nam and of the American involvement in Viet Nam, while at the same time highlighting the Honor and Sacrifice of American sailors and soldiers who did their duty. My only regret is that Ralph did not footnote the extensive research and source material involved in this book.
Ralph's stories are great. Ralph's summation of the history can only offend the most Liberal Europeans and Americans. It is not in dispute by anyone I know who served in Viet Nam on either side. As Ralph's view of the American involvement in Viet Nam is very positive, as is mine, I would like to include a couple of links to Vo van Kiet, the recently deceased former Prime Minister of Viet Nam. I think that these links show the current (post 1986 Doi Moi) Vietnamese reexamination of the War and of Viet Nam's desire to right many of the wrongs on their side of the war.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/reports/2008/06/788703/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6638347.stm

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For two-thousand years, the Chinese, French, Japanese and Republic of Vietnam forces tried to pacify the Mekong Delta and failed. The United States Ninth Infantry Division, and U.S. Naval Forces of Vietnam, did it in a little over three years, but at a high cost. They fought for freedom, they fought with honor, but in the end they fought for each other.

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The Men Behind the Trident: Seal Team One In Vietnam Review

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(More customer reviews)Former U.S. Navy SEALs (from SEAL Team One) tell you their stories and some of the things they remembered while in Vietnam. Provides a bit of insight into the kind of operations they ran while in Vietnam. It is interesting, and is an easy-read... not bad at all.

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This is the story of the U.S. Navy SEAL Team One in Vietnam as told by twenty of the elite Navy commandos who fought there from 1962 to 1972. Here for the first time, these unorthodox and sometimes iconoclastic special warriors talk about the missions that are left out of the official histories and existing accounts. Extraordinarily gripping and personal, these narratives reveal what really happened on those covert forays. Dennis Cummings has succeeded in coaxing the SEALs to reveal what made them tick, why they volunteered for such dangerous work and returned for multiple tours in the unpopular war, how they pooled their special talents and motivations, and finally how they overcame fear, frustration, and personal losses. A counter to the uncorroborated barroom braggadocio common to other accounts, Cummings's achievement gives the best picture available of what it really meant to wear the distinctive SEAL trident insignia.

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Navy Seals: A History: Post-Vietnam to the Present Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the second volume of Kevin Dockery's collection of oral history of the Navy SEALs. His first volume, 'Navy SEALs: A History Of The Early Years' was released about a year ago. I believe a third and final volume about the Navy SEALs and their operations during the Persian Gulf conflict will be released next year.
In part two of this fascinating history of the Navy SEALs Kevin Dockery again presents a collection of oral accounts by former UDT and SEAL team members. Famous, former, frogmen like Richard Marcinko (Commander, USN (Ret.)) and Governor Jesse Ventura are just some of the SEALs that recount their operations during the South East Asian conflict.
My favorite feature about this second volume are the numerous rare black and white photographs depicting the UDT and SEAL team members in action.
If you have enjoyed Chief James Watson's 'Point Man' and all the other Richard Marcinko books, then you will definitely want to read 'Navy SEALs: A History Part II: The Vietnam Years.

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Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills Review

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(More customer reviews)There are few books that capture the essence of a Marine the way that this tale does. Gunny Hatchcock was more than a Marine, he was also a heroe and a pioneer. His mastering of the sniper craft and his eventual legend were responsible for the ultimate success of the Marine Corps sniper program.
Charles Henderson does an admirable job with this book but realistically it is a story that sells itself. This narration details some of the many missions Hatchock underwent during two tours of Vietnam. It chronicles the more often than not painful self discipline that made Hatchcock the deadliest sniper in Vietnam. The author also peppers the account with enough of Hatchcock's personal life to show what a great man and Marine he really was.
The tale is amazing enough in relaying how great of a shot that Hatchcock was but the true mark is hit in that is shows that Hatchcock was a devoted Marine. To say he was dedicated would be a dramatic understatement. The tale of his stalking the Vietnam general and the patience it took to get that one shot is worth reading the book alone. It is a testament to not only his training but his own self discipline.
The book reads in a flash. I have read it several times and it hasn't lost any interest. A must read for Marines, military and history buffs, and just anyone curious about a tale of a hero.

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In the chaos of the combat zone, there are the living, the dead, and the Ghost. In the ongoing Iraq conflict, there are no battle lines, no direct offensives, no ground won or lost––just the daily fight against an enemy who hits and runs, hides and sneaks. If the enemy shows himself, it's only for a moment. But for a Marine Sniper, that is all that is needed. Readers now have the opportunity, from these warriors' perspective, to peer into the killing zone through a telescopic lens, down the barrel of a high-powered rifle, and into the very heart of the enemy. The training, the techniques, and the steel will necessary to survive as a sniper are all described in vivid detail. Charles Henderson also delves into the core of the enemy––the maniacal ideology, and the tactics that have sown so much violence in Iraq––and how they are all vulnerable to a single bullet from a Ghost.

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SEAL: From Vietnam's Phoenix Program to Central America's Drug Wars Review

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(More customer reviews)What I like about SEAL! is that it describes how Mike Walsh went from Vietnam painted-face, hard-living Commando to a leader of men with a sense of discretion and valor. His maturity as a fighting leader carries the day as he leads reconaissance missions on Grenada that did not go awary and even standing firm on ground truth before the pressures of senior leaders, which he did before the Panama raid on Noriega's plane at Punta Paitilla. LTCDR Mike walsh is a great military leader and human being we should all strive to emulate. The way he wanted to run the Punta Paitilla missions should be "SOF 101" for every warrior.
The best scene in the book, is the story of the SEAL who gets injured and is paralyzed. Walsh describes the invisible drive that makes a man a Navy SEAL, and that how when EVERYONE had counted this man "out", gone from the teams forever, that he slips from his chair into the pool and begins to swim and while everyone is stunned, raises his arm and cries HOOOYAHH!, the SEAL war cry. I don't do the scene justice so you are going to have to read it, but it makes the book entirely worthwhile.
As the book ends, Walsh describes boldly his change to a new set of values and he makes no hesitation to describe how his belief in God makes him a better SEAL and human being. If I could order every man and woman in the U.S. military to read this book, I would!
Airborne!

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A MAN OF ACTION This is the extraordinary story of Lt. Cmdr. Michael J. Walsh, a veteran of twenty-six years of combat with the Navy's most elite special force -- the legendary SEALs. Outspoken renegade and consummate survivalist, Walsh began as a key player in the Vietnam War's top-secret PHOENIX Program. For a PHOENIX operative the goal was simple: invade the enemy's home and take him captive; remove the target alive if possible, dead if necessary. The Viet Cong soon feared Walsh so much that they placed a bounty of thousands of dollars on his head. A MAN OF WAR After five tours in Vietnam, Walsh refused to take a desk job, and subsequently spent more than two decades in combat in such explosive arenas as Lebanon and drug-infested Central America. From killing a VC general in hand-to-hand combat, to stalking anti-war activist Jane Fonda, to combing the streets of Beirut in search of his friend and former PHOENIX advisor William Buckley, Walsh and his unforgettable exploits stand alone as the pinnacle of daring and sacrifice in the storied history of the SEALs.

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Good to Go: The Life And Times Of A Decorated Member Of The U.s. Navy's Elite Seal Team Two Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a frank and honest look at the exploits of a Navy SEAL.
While his actual combat exploits I have no way of proving true, his revealing and in-depth look at his own personal failures and in service power struggles surely don't all have happy endings, and the author is unflinching in his appraisal.
His time in country could of ended on his first mission. He first got tangled in the tow rope, and the boat pulling away dragged him underwater before he cut himself free, struggling with his gear and swimming back to shore. He then mistakenly interpreted a hand signal and made his first killing as a scared SEAL when he silently intercepted a VC lookout and knifed him. He was told to keep silent. He then got seperated from his recon platoon and made his way back to the rendevous point by himself while being pursued, and all the while he was unsure of which way to go. This was the start of three tours of duty that saw much action and direct combat with VC and NVA. This elite soldier found himself in the business of hand to hand combat many times, and his stories are told as if this author actually relished the amount of violence he was able to bring to bear. A warrior who looked for action, he later leaves this theater and sees firsthand the rivalry and disrespect he and other warriors feel for those officers spent little or no time in Vietnam and looked disdainfully upon those who actually fought there. This jealously, and the countering lack of respect, almost cost the author his Navy career on more than one occasion. In the end it proved his undoing in the military.
A very interesting tale of an insiders view of Vietnam, this book also explores his personal struggles and the bonds he forged in combat.

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First SEAL Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my first review and probably my last. My reason is to take exception to the comments of the reviewer from Dayton, Ohio. Not that Roy needs me to defend him, but in fairness a response is warranted.
First Seal is an insight into one of America's greatest warriors. SEAL's are regarded as probably the finest unconventional warriors in the world and First Seal brings you the man responsible for them. This is an excellent book, especially for those seeking insight into their foundation. Yes, there are personal attacks, yes there is profanity, and it is not for the light of heart. But honesty is something not viewed through rose colored glasses either.
The Navy is an institution, and as such viewed the SEAL's as a "necessary evil". That Roy succeeded and accomplished as much as he did is a tribute to his tenacity and his perserverance.
But in addition to the story of the SEAL's, is Roy's story and that is what First Seal is about. Roy has done more and seen more than any of us could imagine.
Don't dwell on the perceived inaccuracies, but read the book as it was intended. Roy's exploits are legendary and his men always knew where he was when things got tough, at the front of it all !!
And as for the comment that there is no "I" or "Me" in "Team", remember.... There is no "We" in "Leadership"

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Before the Dawn Review

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(More customer reviews)While it is probably true that the author is not an offical Navy Seal I found the book to be an excellent look into the life of Vietnam veterans. I have met one of the people mentioned in the book; Dave Roever. He was definetly injured as listed in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the war and particularly the effects of war.

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The Element of Surprise: Navy Seals in Vietnam Review

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(More customer reviews)This is about the best book I have read on SEALs in Vietnam. It rings true and does not have a bunch of filler and B.S. This guy and men like him are national treasures. A good solid read and well worth the money. 5 BIG Stars.

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It used to be said that the night belonged to Charlie. But that wasn't true where SEALs patrolled. For six months in 1970, fourteen men in Juliett Platoon of the Navy's SEAL Team One--incuding the author--carried out over a hundred missions in the Mekong Delta without a single platoon fatality. Their primary mission: kidnap enemy soldiers--alive--for interrogation.

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Seal Team Roll-Back Review

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(More customer reviews)I liked this book alot. Each of the chapters covered a different operation and was very fast paced. Vietnam era SEAL/UDT operations were covered extensively and with a human touch. My only complaint (kind of a big one for me), and the reason I didn't give it a five star, is that the packaging of this paperback leads the reader to believe this is a work of non-fiction. The front and back cover do not mention this is fiction, and only once I got home did I notice the word fiction on the spine. The author states in his review these stories are based on fact. I just wonder what is fiction and what is non-fiction. Other than this personal complaint this is probably the most readable and flowing book on SEALs that I have read. Enjoy it but know it's ficton.

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One Creed, One Goal - One TeamA legend is born in 1954 with the covert landing of four agents on a night-blackened Asian beach. Now those men and their comrades in arms have come together to remember those days.This is the saga of the best and the bravest: the U.S. Navy SEALs, leading top-secret hunter-killer teams from the Tonkin Gulf to the NVA-owned hills along the Cambodian border. It is a story of friends and strangers coming together at the heart of a secret war; of honor; of freedom; of pain and sacrifce and grim lessons learned under fire in the kingdom of death. One Creed, One Goal - One Team

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