He called my writing on the suppressed swedish k a stupid statement and insisted that sog did not such weapons as if that. We would be organized militarily, but we would have to break the bad habit, of trying to fight a conventional war in a guerrilla warfare environment. Behind enemy lines with the elite warriors of sog by john l. They did however achieve a strategic defeat of the united states. Top weapons of the vietnam war armed forces museum. Usa today s bob minzesheimer recommends books by 10 authors. In 1967, a single army platoon killed hundreds of vietnamese. The inaugural edition of sog chronicles volume one will be the first in a series of books focusing on the many untold stories from that eightyear secret war where green berets went deep behind enemy lines without conventional support from artillery, tanks, or ground support troops where communist forces massed 50,000100,000 troops to combat them while keeping the ho chi minh trail supply lines open. Sog s real mission was to conduct covert strategic reconnaissance missions into laos, cambodia and south vietnam as well as sabotage and black.
Rocket launchers, grenade launchers and even antitank weapons were widely used by the infantry. More than any other american war, vietnam had a soundtrack, and you listened. This is an awesome illustrated primer on the elite military assistance command, vietnam studies and observations group macv sog. As weapons go, the shoop shoop song seems harmless enough. Opinion the tiger force atrocities the new york times. Machines and weaponry of the vietnam war by charlie samuels. The unit gained notoriety after investigations during the course of the war and. Army medic, was part of the secret studies and observation group sog an organization made up of special forces volunteers who served in vietnam. The following texts are used and recommended by alpha history authors. Military experts who examined the tiger force case said the troops.
Updated with new material, this classic memoir of the vietnam war by the author of no better. Other types of machine guns, pistols and rifles were also used. It is not easy to write a vivid, dramatic story about the vietnam war that. I will be marking the fiftieth anniversary of those marines going ashore at da nang by posting my favorite vietnam war books, memoirs, novels, movies. Listen as two sog members describe their missions in. So i wonder if there is any one that collect or has any original sog knives from the vietnam war era that you can show. Mar 02, 2015 the best histories of the vietnam war. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Oct 08, 2015 perhaps the only decent thing to emerge from the vietnam war is a body of literature unsurpassed by the writing thats come out of any other war. And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts. It provides the collector and others interested in the period a way of identifying honest sog studies and observations group specimens and separating them from counterfeits. Teams carried enough weapons, food and water to get them through a 5day recon mission. Discover the best vietnam war history in best sellers.
The truong son range and the highland plateaus of central vietnam were originally inhabited by eighteen major groups of some thirty indigenous tribes called montagnards mountain people. Sog was the acronym for studies and observations group, a cover title for the vietnam war s covert special warfare groupessentially the oss of southeast asia. Vietnam war, 19611975 engineering and construction. See more ideas about special forces, vietnam war and vietnam.
This was imperative for reducing the sound of their movements. These groups secretly worked within laos and cambodia and sought to disrupt the ho chi minh trail that brought north vietnamese army supplies to south vietnam. Winner of the 2016 pulitzer prize for fiction, this debut novel could fit into half a dozen genres of vietnam war books from war narrative to immigrant story, from mystery to political, from metafiction to historical and even dark comedy. The content here only reflects a small amount of the vehicles, weapons, and hardware used during the vietnam war. The favorite sog firearm was the automatic car15, a modified m16 with a stock that expanded or contracted 1. Ra 4435 2651 issued by macv sog special identification and pass. Choose from used and new textbooks or get instant access with etextbooks and digital materials. Macvsog vietnam war collection airsoft 19691970 youtube. The secret wars of americas commandos in vietnam reprint by plaster, major ret. Plaster served three oneyear tours with macv sog, and his book sog. During the era before vietnams economic reforms of the 1980s, she becomes a black. We witness the chaos in saigon when fireworks celebrating the tet holiday are suddenly transformed into deadly rocket and machinegun fire. Macvsog the black operators of the vietnam war the. Vietnam war books l z books on the war in vietnam including the tet offensive, helicopter warfare, viet cong tactics, ho chi min trail and veterans affairs.
Ten vietnam war novels to read council on foreign relations. Beyond that, on the fiction front, we quickly traipse into forgettable territory. What was macvsog and what did it do during the vietnam war. The military assistance command, vietnam studies and observation group macv sog, was a highlyclassified, black operations group who operated during the vietnam war.
Mar 15, 2018 the list of infantry weapons in vietnam could go on and on. Osbourne special operations special forces service number. Weapons used in the vietnam war vietnam war weapons where did it happen. Purchasing these books through the book depository is a great way for you to save money, while supporting alpha history. Weapons, gear, and uniforms of the vietnam war by shelley. He has written two nonfiction books on sog secret wars. Statement by ltc lindsey when taking command of ccs. The vietnam war has scarred, transformed and inspired countless writers and art practitioners. Dec, 2017 find below a collection of the best books on the vietnam war. The best histories of the vietnam war council on foreign. Weapons of vietnam s covert warriors, appeared originally in the april 2015 issue of american rifleman. Coverage of vietnam will reveal the shift in public opinion from prowar to antiwar, exposing. Great group from poland, great attention to detail and lots of shots taken with a olympus pen ee2 camera.
This article is about the weapons used in the vietnam war, which involved the peoples army of vietnam pavn or north vietnamese army nva, national liberation front for south vietnam nlf or viet cong vc, and the armed forces of the army of the republic of vietnam arvn, united states, republic of korea, philippines, thailand, and the australian, new zealand defence forces, and a. Page 1 of 10 vietnam sog knives posted in edged weapons. Learn about the aicraft, the armor, and the equipment used in vietnam. What were the favorite weapons of sog and macv troops. We would always carry a basic load of 550600 rounds for the carpet team, about 10 hand grenades and a dozen or more rounds for the m79 grenade launcher.
Sog was the primary outofcountry program conducted by us army special forces troops green berets based in vietnam under the military assistance command vietnam. Top 10 vietnam war era songs veterans playlist thirteen. Vietnam war weapons 1955 1975 the vietnam war utilized a wide mix of small arms, airpower, naval systems and armored vehicles but gains and losses were still decided by the bootsontheground. The peoples army of vietnam also known as the vietnamese peoples army vpa, is the.
Heres an admittedly subjective list, posted on the military history now website, put together by mark masse, a ball state university literary journalism professor. Vietnam war patch us special forces macv sog base chau doc tri ton us special forces macv sog base tri ton chau doc chau doc detachment 42 vietnam war chau doc province an giang us special forces base area hugely volatile combat zone, literally metres from the cambodian border and across the river from viet cong base camps invaded during tet offensive of 1968 and. As for firearms, the men in macvsog typically carried the car15. To many americans, the war in vietnam was, and remains, a divisive issue. What were the favorite weapons of sog and macv troops during. The secret wars of americas commandos in vietnam 9781501183461. A secret warriors secret war in laos news sarasota. Get the best deals on original vietnam war edged weapons when you shop the largest online selection at.
A specialist in the history of modern vietnam and modern south and southeast asia, he has written and edited several books on the vietnam war, including the vietnam war. The group reported directly to the pentagons joint chiefs of staff. After 1970, the scope and intensity of sog operations were affected by the vietnamization of the war. While the soviet avtomat kalashnikova has become the iconic weapon of bad guys in hollywood blockbusters and bigbudget video games, u. Nov 08, 2012 enough books novels and nonfiction have been published about the vietnam war and its aftermath to fill a modestsized library. Cia and counterinsurgency in vietnam, hayden peake.
Sog needed to have the ability to not just blend in, but confuse the enemy by familiarizing themselves with russian and chinese weapons. The secret wars of americas commandos in vietnam by. But few of these stories are told with the perspective and detailed recall of special forces medic joe parnar. This element was a highly classified, multiservice united states special operations unit which conducted covert unconventional warfare operations prior to and during the vietnam war. Scheme to sabotage the enemys own rifles in vietnam dennis m daley. The above list could be disputed, but is, no doubt, reflective of some of the top weapons of the vietnam war. In the context of the vietnam war 19551975, the army was referred to as the. Marc jason gilbert is professor of history at north georgia college and state university. The secret war in vietnam, former operator john stryker meyer described carrying the rifles using atypical slings either a canvas strap or a cravat taped securely to the rifle. The tet offensive communists forces were principally armed with chinese and soviet weaponry though some vietcong guerrillas units were equipped with western infantry weapons either captured from french. They were designed to leave traces that look like footprints of peasants 800x433 close. This book tells the story of secret black military operations run by the united states during the vietnam war.
The secret wars of americas commandos in vietnam, john l. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. They cooperated closely with the cia, and army and air force units were routine. The weapons and gear special forces recon teams carried in the vietnam war. Alan posted an excellent answer, so i will add what i know about sog. In the vietnam war, the north vietnamese couldnt match the united states superior weapons and equipment. They were designed to leave traces that look like footprints. The bell uh1 iroquois nicknamed huey was used extensively in counterguerilla operations both as a troop carrier and a gunship. Realizing, of course, that every soldier had their own special song that helped bring them home. One of the most significant realities of the war in vietnam, a fact which.
But for every man they lost during the secret war in laos, cambodia and north vietnam, sog commandos killed an average of 158 enemy soldiers. Plaster is a national authority on sniping, firearms, and special operations. In order for the troops to have a more suitable continue reading vietnam war weapons. From 1964 to 1972, far beyond the battlefields of vietnam and the glare of media distortions, american green berets and their indigenous troops fought a deadly secret war in laos, cambodia and north vietnam under the aegis of the top secret military assistance command vietnam studies and observations group, or simply sog. This book covers the fighting done by special operations groups sog during the vietnam war. The vietnam war as seen by its fearless photographers newly declassified documents reveal that a top u. This article is about the weapons used in the vietnam war, which involved the peoples army of vietnam pavn or north vietnamese army nva, national liberation front for south vietnam nlf or viet cong vc, and the armed forces of the army of the republic of vietnam arvn, united states, republic of korea, philippines, thailand, and the australian, new zealand defence forces, and a variety of irregular troops. Weapons used in the vietnam war by diego rangel on prezi. The vietnam war was the first conflict that saw wide scale tactical deployment of helicopters. As for firearms, the men in macv sog typically carried the car15. Some of these are fiction books about vietnam war based on factual information, whilst others include some of the best books on vietnam history of the war.
A decorated vietnam war veteran who served in the covert studies and observations group sog, plaster cofounded a renowned sniper school that trains military and law enforcement personnel in highly specialized sniper tactics. The original duckbill attachment was made by the us naval weapons lab in china lake during the vietnam war for seal use. There is catch22, and slaughterhouse five, and these are classics to be sure. During the four years following passage of the tonkin gulf resolution aug. Military assistance command vietnam macv sog special operations forces id card and pass rare vietnam war original document name. We have a well written book, with good details of fact.
I say that because my earliest vietnam memories arent about guns. In the latter role it was outfitted with a variety of armaments including m60 machine guns, multibarreled 7. Teaching approaches and resources 1991, the tet offensive 1996, and the vietnam war on campus. The magnificence of my men in combat has inspired me forever. Sog medic stories from vietnam and over the fence by joe parnar and robert dumont in the years since the vietnam war, the elite unit known as sog has spawned many myths, legends and war stories.
Vietnam war home movies 125th signal bn fsb hunter, tay ninh base camp 196970 duration. What the book brought to mind was the song by atahualpa yupanqui basta ya. Sog knives and more from americas war in southeast asia. North vietnam basically caused the united states of america to lose its patience and to quit fighting the war. Base development in south vietnam, 19651970 1991, by carroll h. An elderly villager dressed in white had just carted geese over the dark song ve river when he. Would you mind giving a quick introduction to what you did in vietnam and rhodesia for our readers not familiar. During the vietnam war, the men of the studies and observations group sog carried an astonishing array of firearms while operating behind enemy lines. Equipment of us special forces units macv sog during the vietnam war. Equipment of us special forces units macv sog during the.
In 1964 military assistance command, vietnam, activated a joint unconventional task force known as the studies and observation groupmacv sog. Weapons and equipment vietnam war pritzker military. Founded on the 24th of january, 1964, the group operated as a reconnaissance force providing surveillance over both south and north vietnam and the countries laos and cambodia. While the list of books about this conflict includes hundreds of enlightening works, we pick ten of the best texts offering illuminating perspectives on the war, its context and the effects it had on vietnam. The author is a highly decorated marine lieutenant, a veteran of combat in vietnam where his platoon suffered severe losses and he was wounded. Learn all about the powerful weapons, unique gear, and uniforms used by u. Discover the people, places, battles, and weapons of americas indochina struggl. The song often was led by the recon company commander, ed lesesne. Whilst some of these books are a bit older, they are still brilliant to read and give you great insight into the war.
Excellent study of the vietnam war looking at a far wider range of topics than in most books on this war, and with contributions from american, north vietnamese and south vietnamese authors and participants in the war. The missions that these special operators, including a large number of u. The initial enemy strike took place near song be, the capital of phuoc long. An impressive piece of work that gives a good overview of the vietnam war and the wider issues that surrounded the conflict. After we posted this article, times readers weighed in with their favorite books on the vietnam war. An operational history of macvsog and millions of other books are available for instant access. During the vietnam war sog conducted crossborder operations into laos tapping communication lines, attacking north vietnamese convoys, snatching captives, and more. Ithaca 37 used by the navy seals in the vietnam war. Machine and weaponry of the vietnam war is a very informative book about weapons that were used in the vietnam war, written by charlie samuels. As a cover its mission was to conduct analysis of lessons learned in combat by all branches of service. In viet nam i was in the 5th special forces and attached to the sog project. Webb, as you probably know, went on to write a few other books and still find the time to become a u. While researching our book, my coauthor, craig werner, and i heard.
The book, in detail, explains different arms, tanks, planes, and other kind of weapons, and has a brief explanation of the vietnam war. How has music been used by the military in the past. Under the name studies and observations group sog, the secret was kept so well that few veterans ever heard of it until long after the war. I have seen that there are many different collecting areas here and that is wery interesting. This is a recording of two macv sog recon teams rts who are in dire straits. Cosmas the united states army in vietnam the joint command in the years of withdrawal 19681973 macv pin. These 10 books, in addition to the ones below, were recommended multiple times. The muzzle has been adapted to spread the shot in a horizontal pattern. Tiger force was the name of a longrange reconnaissance patrol unit of the 1st battalion airborne, 327th infantry, 1st brigade separate, 101st airborne division, which fought in the vietnam war from may to november 1967. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Fine illustrated pictures of weapons and uniforms of the sog teams. Tribute to macv sog 07 may 2012 posted by vlogger a slideshow of soldiers in the clandestine military assistance command vietnam studies observation group who jumped the fence into cambodia. The united states and vietnam, 19501975 george herring widely recognized as a major contribution to the study of american involvement in vietnam, this comprehensive and balanced account analyzes the ultimate failure of the war, and the impact of the war on us foreign policy. Books about the vietnam war and aftermath what it is like to go to war by karl marlantes.
All our physical stores and our online store are temporarily closed. The secret wars of americas commandos in vietnam reprint by major ret. Macvsogmilitary assistance command, vietnam special operations group later renamed studies and observations groupwas the elite military unit of the vietnam war, so secret that its existence was denied by the u. Rottman entered the us army in 1967, volunteered for special forces and completed training as a weapons specialist.
What we experienced transcended the normal experience of life. Organized chaos, seemed like a contradiction in terms, but after a few weeks in vietnam, it seemed plausible. Doug and i served on recon teams that ran missions into n. Us macvsog reconnaissance team in vietnam warrior book. Plaster was a retired us army special forces soldier, regarded as one of the leading sniper experts in the world.
In his book the men who stare at goats, british journalist jon. The aim of the group is to understand the missions macv sog undertook during the vietnam war by exploring its tactics and equipment through living history displays, reenactments and. This book is now one of my most valued i have in my collection. The ultimate 2020 list of best vietnam books to read. Special agent id card and pass macvsog vietnam war.
Vietnam war, 19611975 examinations, questions, etc. The weapons and gear special forces recon teams carried in. Major plaster, discusses his books, his sog experiences, and the importance of recognizing the heroics of sog warriors. Website from vietnam veteran and militaria collector in the states, amazing collection of eastern bloc weapons. The most comprehensive and authoritative history of the conflict to date, vietnam at war sparkles with a rare immediacy, and brings to life in compelling fashion the war that tore america apart. Commandos were fond of captured ak47s war is boring. Complete organized chaos for the new guys would begin as we landed in vietnam. List of books and articles about vietnam antiwar movement. Sog was allvolunteer, and personnel could leave without prejudice.
Welcome to alpha historys selection of vietnam war books. The joint command in the years of withdrawal, 1968. The military assistance command studies and observations group, now better known as sog, was one of those true darkarts units that hid dangerous men with dangerous jobs behind a boring name. I have always been fascinated by the courage and bravery of the macv sog teams during the vietnam war. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. He served in the 5th special forces group in vietnam in 196970 and subsequently in airborne infantry, longrange patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. Secret wars of americas commandos in vietnam by john. This guide showcases knives used by americas clandestine military in southeast asia during the vietnam war. The nva never achieved a tactical defeat of the us army. Readers weighed in on the best books about the vietnam war. Military assistance command, vietnam studies and observations group macv sog was a highly classified, multiservice united states special operations unit which conducted covert unconventional warfare operations prior to and during the vietnam war.
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