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Summary: Pulling back the veil of secrecy
Review: Major John Plaster reveals the truth behind some of the most gallant episodes and valliant soldiers in America's history. Kept quiet by rules of secrecy, death of participants and frank disinterest on the part of many Americans, Plaster allows us to look inside the super-secret unit that carried the war in Vietnam into the enemy's back yard. With his brisk prose Plaster brings to life combat situations that the ordinary reader can not even imagine. The men of SOG and Special Forces have been consistently misrepresented. Now you can find out the truth. In those days 'running recon' was the ultimate challenge and even within the elite of Special Forces only few soldiers accepted the life. In this book Plaster shows the reader just what it was like to be one of the best of the best. This book is extremely valuable for recording a piece of American military history in danger of being lost. In addition it shows the reader who may have been led to believe that the men who fought for this country in Vietnam were somehow unworthy that they deserve every bit of respect and gratitude that we willing bestow on other veterans. Buy this book, read it and believe it.
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Summary: Excellent read
Review: Major John Plaster, usually known as the author of millitary and police sniping manuals, does a good, but not quite masterful job, at recollecting his experiences in the Studies and Observations Group during the Vietnam war. Plaster carries over a style that he has developed in his technical manuals, a style that is oftentimes dry, almost academic at times, though he is certainly capable of creating a thrilling atmosphere. His prose is written in such a way that it seems to project a air of the third person, occasional interjected by instences of the word "I" or "We." But perhaps I am being a bit too harsh. Plaster does accomplish his goal of informing on the various workings and effectiveness of SOG, and brings to light a certain virtuous aura to at least a few select units, which have been slandered as a whole by the anti-war ideals which followed the war. The book is generally well written, with a fair representation of the horrors of war and loss, and not without a bit of humorous flavor. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Psychological Warfare techniques. Overall, the book is comparable to Harry Constance's similar work on SEAL teams in Vietnam, yet with more of a professional air, though far less personal. It can be safely recommended to anyone with an interest in the Vietnam War, or in special forces and operations.
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Summary: Great Perspective on Our Elite Special Forces - Thanks
Review: 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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Summary: SOG and Mr. Plaster "all" deserve (5) Stars, Themselves!
Review: The History Channel did had an excellent show on SOG and Mr. Plaster telling the SOG story; however Mr. Plaster's book abd Photo history TELL AND SHOWS IN GREAT DETAIL AND PICTURES; UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS AND SIGHTS THAT COULD NEVER BE DUPLICATED BY ANT TV DOCUMENTARY! I never servrd my country; however; after reading (Major, Ret.) Plaster's "great" book in paperback and his photo history, it moved me and helped me to better understand just what "OUR BOY'S) had to go through, deal with and sacrifice for our fine country! I spent over $170.00 on 2 copies of each of his "SOG" books, and would have spent more on eash of them , if I had to! I put a copy of each book back for my son; so that the SOG legacy will always live on in his generation's minds! I was so glad that men (true heroes) like mr. Plaster took the time and sarifice to do the history on SOG. i ALWAYS HAVE RESPECTED the : THE US SPECIAL FORCES, however was so glad to learn of SOG, it's men, missions, all that they've done for our country and to preserve democracy; so that we all "AMERICAN'S) may and are still here, today; alive, free, safe and well! I use to think the NAVY SEAL'S were good! These brave totally-unselfish and giving men are what our country and flag is all about! If only more people in today's society would possess just a fraction of patriotism and respect to: GOD,FATHER and COUNTRY as these men did; well; we'd all be better off today, and mayby there would be more respect in our society today; toward's our fellow-man and neighbor's! I would have been "proud" to have served under "such" patriotic-team-player's; as SOG was! I only wish that people I work with, live by and come in contact with would be as respectable, humble, unselfish, and patriotic as these "fine" men were, and (always) will be; in my mind, as long as GOD so let's me live! Thank's all sogger's, Mr. Plaster and to all who served in S.E. ASIAN WAR; so that we all may "still" safely and freely be able to be here today--in a free and democratic society. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
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Summary: And You Thought the Navy SEALs were the best.
Review: Actually, Navy SEALs are undoubtedly the best. But unfortunately, they were underused in Vietnam because their existance as a guerilla warefare unit was still relatively short at that time. This book gives us continual action throughout the book because green beret operations were frequent and consisted of an unlimited supply of Montangard volunteers to keep the fight going. Also, unlike the SEALS, whose area of activity existed mainly in central Vietnam, the Green Berets were almost indegenous to areas such as Laos and Cambodia where the NVA possessed its most heavy concentrations of fighting forces. As a result, the Army Special Forces activty in Vietnam as described in this book gives a whole new meaning the term "suicide missions". Before I read this book, I knew only of the SOG missions that were portrayed on the syndicated television show "Tour of Duty" if you can remember. On the show, a regular army infantry platoon eventually ascends to the status of "SOG" team probably as an attempt to revive the shows falling ratings and bland plot line. As a "SOG" team, I don't believe the TV soldiers ever set foot in hot spots like Cambodia or Laos; and, as with every TV show, noone ever really dies. That is not the case as you will come to realize after reading this book. I don't think you could show what real SOG mission was like on TV not because of the SOG's secret nature, but because SOG mission were gorier than gory and would probably look like something out of Saving Private Ryan. What strikes me as most peculiar is the fact that the son of the owner of Walgreen's served three (or was two tours) as a SOG agent in Vietnam when he could've stayed home with his family's millions. That's dedication. Not to say that everyone else wasn't dedicated, but I'm sure that not everyone had that kind of option waiting for them back home.
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Summary: Thanks
Review: 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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Summary: Thank you, John Plaster...
Review: 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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Summary: My Take on John Plaster's SOG
Review: 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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Summary: A Great Book about a Great Story
Review: 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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Summary: A fast-paced, excellent book...
Review: I haven't written a review in a while, perhaps because my search for more engaging literature on the military and special forces has not been fruitful lately. This is the first piece of writing in some time that I read cover to cover without putting it down. I first heard of Plaster's work when I heard of Robert Howard, the most highly decorated living soldier. I have the utmost respect for men who have more medals than their age, and so I decided I needed to find out more about Howard and his unit in the Special Observation Group (SOG) during the Vietnam War. I was told that this book was the best on the subject, and now I can safely say that I completely agree. Plaster has the unique perspective of an individual who served side by side with men like Bob Howard and Frank Zabitoski, two winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor. All of the men of SOG are truly the epitome of heroism. They were deployed deep behind enemy lines in teams of two and three, along with a group of indigenous Montagnards who were resisting the NVA. Though outnumbered in almost every fight, these SOG squads were able to wreak havoc upon the North Vietnamese. Plaster's work is commendable because it is a full look into this unit which was only recently declassified by the Department of Defense. It gives the reader extremely interesting details through an insider account of SOG's actions in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The book does a great justice to a group of individuals who have yet to be appreciated by the general public.
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