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On the Ground

The Secret War in Vietnam

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On the Ground

By: John Stryker Meyer, John E. Peters
Narrated by: John Stryker Meyer
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About this listen

Inside MACV-SOG

During the Vietnam War, a “secret war” was fought across the fence in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam, unknown to the media or the public, under the aegis of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam’s top secret Studies and Observations Group. SOG’s chain of command for missions and after-action reports extended to the White House and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Small Green Beret-lead teams ran missions into Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam without assistance from conventional artillery, tank or infantry units. Once on the ground, their sole support was provided by Air Force Tactical Air and helicopter units, US Army and Marine helicopter aviation personnel and aircrews, and from the South Vietnam Air Force’s 219th Special Operations Squadron, code named Kingbees.

In Laos, the communists dedicated 50,000 troops to the Ho Chi Minh Trail, including highly trained sappers from the 305th Sapper Battalion, its sole mission: Attack SOG teams.

©2007, 2017, 2018 John Stryker Meyer (P)2020 John Stryker Meyer Military Vietnam War War US Air Force US Army Air Force
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First heard of Meyer on the Jocko podcast. This book is a must read for anyone studying modern military history. These men demonstrate how warfare developed from WW2 to what we know today. Being an integral step in the evolution of the fighting man on the ground. How destruction can be brought upon the enemy with the right team. Akin to a scalpel, surgical and having the desired affect while trying to minimise risk to all involved. While showing how brave and dedicated the enemy the fought against were. Albeit as the crispy critters stacked up. I could almost smell the damp and feel the humidity with the images Meyer's words conjured.
I bought his other title today.

Mind blowing.

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Incredible story told by the man himself .
this and the prior book, across the fence should be read.
provides a clear different perspective on Vietnam and is an unbelievable story .

Incredible

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Whilst not a US citizen nor Vietnam Veteran, I am a 30 year Army Veteran with Afghanistan combat experience. (2001-2003) So, my background out of the way, why am I reading about something that happened over 50 years ago... My respect for these men of MACSOGV is nothing short of unwavering. I was taught all my basic and E3 E4 courses by our Australian Vietnam Veterans who were still serving. Some had encounters with the MACSOGV recon and hatchet forces and remarked that they were real soldiers, as good as any Australian troops. After reading a number of books (actually listening) thanks to PTSD by many of the names mention by "John Meyer", I have come to the conclusion that it is clear from the accounts thus far, these were by far the gutsiest men in the Vietnam / USA conflict period. This book not only tells of Johns story, but also confirms again, that of many others. The true value of team spirit, irrespective of the national identity of the members.
The sad part of this and any other story is the poor way that leadership is placed upon these men. Six months they may have a great leader who works with them, and then they get someone such as John had at his last posting, no idea of how special operations worked, and causes more and larger problems as he tries to control the teams himself.
The fact that this book was narrated by John himself was especially important, for too many books I have listened to narrators who DO NOT prepare enough and just read words without finding out the correct local or unit speak. AUDIBLE could do well to ay heed to this problem as I have seen as many complaints as I have also written on this one singular issue!
To "John Stryker Meyer", thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience of what was a very harrowing experience in your life.
Comparing my own experiences with yours, I personally find sadness I not knowing what happened to the local people who helped us after I went home, never to return. I think you might feel like that about the indigenous little people who supported you so much. This is also something that is common in most stories from other MACSOGV members.
A great book, worth reading/listening too.

Reality of War

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Tilts story and that of SOG are amazing. it is great to hear it told by Tilt himself, but as an orator and narrator, he makes an amazing SOG operator.

another day in SOG

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Lol. Tilt reading skills , growing to love them and wouldn’t be the same without them..

Love the detialed first hand observations and feelings

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.