[.ca] Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite ... (ISBN 0684856735)

U.S. Army Special Forces and SOG Recon men; this is REAL!:
As a 22 month veteran of SOG recon teams (11 months at CCS and 11 at CCC) plus going through Special Forces Training Group (Weapons Course) a few months after the author ( Summer- 1968), I can HONESTLY and OBJECTIVELY state that John Plaster has indeed captured the experiences of Special Forces/SOG men in training and at war! A few follow-up comments: I am a Charter Member of the Special Operations Association and since SOA's creation in 1977, I have served and/or associated with most of our living SOG veterans and to a man, they will concur with my above statement because this book is REAL! Those that did less in the Vietnam War and by choice, may disagree but who really cares ? Those of us who are REAL SOG vets sure don't and neither should you! Again, a RIVETING and HONEST account of SOG men at war!

A "Covey" FAC pilot who flew with John.:
John Plaster and I flew dozens of missions together over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He is the real deal. This, of all his great books, let me know as a FAC pilot what REALLY was going on, on the ground. I am humbled to have flown with John and ALL the green berets of SOG who demonstrated such awesome courage. No purple hearts were won there for minor scratches. Each page is riviting and puts the reading in the jungle surrounded by hundreds of NVA bent on taking out the teams. John's tribute to the Covey FACs (part III) was particularly moving. Hand Salute to you "Plasticman."

Secret Commandos is a must read:
Once you start reading about the heroic efforts of some many men it was hard to put the book down. The teasers at the end of the chapters had you wanting more. I now have a greater appreciation for what these many brave individuals did not only for their country but for their commrades in arms. John gave real insight into the highs and lows of a SOG soldier. Even as the war was winding down these heros never gave up the fight. We must admire their grit,determination and sacrafices and be proud of the way they represented our country. Can't wait for the next book !

Secret Commandos by John L. Plaster:
John Plaster's account of SOC missions into Laos are great. I was there as a helicopter gunship pilot with the 189th AHC Ghostriders/Avengers between 11/68-10-69. I was in the SOC Kontum Compound for numerous briefings before flying into Laos and from my personal knowledge John Plaster could not have written a more accurate book of real warriors in Vietnam. If you want to see a true dead man walking, grinning from ear to ear, look into the face of a SOG member after 7 days in Laos as I have at Dak To. My helicopter company was not the only one involved in SOG missions in Laos. Just ask any of the additional brave warriors that flew the helicopters in support of SOG. These brave aviators/crews were only 20 & 21 years old and belonged to the following companies; 57th AHC Gladiator/Cougar, 119th AHC Gators/Crocs, 170th AHC Bikinis/Buccaneers, 189th AHC Ghostriders/Avengers and 361st AHC (Cobra) Pink Panthers. Captain Dave Speer, call sign Avenger #10

Secret Commandos : Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warrior:
By the time I was out of high school the Vietnam War was over and at the time, being a snot-nosed teenager, I considered myself lucky not having had the chance to go. After reading this book I understand the extreme danger these BRAVE men were exposed to and how they served the USA with honor. I could not put the book down trying to imagine myself in their place, which was hard to do with my kushy, easy-road-to-hoe life (and I have a vivid imagination). Whether you served your country or not - this is a must read!